They are not the most visible characters in the Bible. Their stories are less prominent and sometimes, they speak only through actions.

But women are essential to the story of the Bible, according to Camille Fronk Olson, a professor of ancient scripture at Brigham Young University. And their individual challenges and triumphs can still resonate with modern-day women, she said.

Some lessons believed taught by biblical women include faith, courage, trust and the ability to keep Christ central in one's life.

Consider the story of Esther, who risked possible death to save her people. Sarah, the wife of Abraham, was told the unbelievable news she would conceive a child at an advanced age. Later, that child, Isaac, was nearly sacrificed by her husband at the request of God.

Lesser-known examples include Lydia in the New Testament, who used her money to support the church.

"One cannot seriously read the Bible and ignore their contributions," Olson said in an e-mail conversation about women in the Bible. "They are frequently the unsung examples of true Christian living."

Kari Lettow, a teacher at Christ Lutheran School in Murray, said she believes all women can find relevance and meaning in the stories of biblical women, despite the fact their stories happened centuries ago.

One clear example is the story of Martha and Mary, according to Lettow, who is now studying the lives of those two women in her Bible study class. In the story, Christ comes to visit the women. Martha kept herself busy working while Mary sat at Christ's feet to listen.

Modern women can look at that story and see themselves, said Lettow. Are they busy Martha's, who are focused on other good tasks, or are they Mary's sitting at Christ's feet? In other words, where are their priorities?

"This is our world right now," said Lettow. "We are so busy, but we are forgetting to sit at his feet."

For her, the story is a reminder to pause and make Christ a priority in her life, among all the other things she is doing. Lettow said she does that by attending church, Sunday school and other classes.

"We need to put Christ first at all times," said Lettow. "And that's the way he designed it to be. We are his masterpiece. We are the clay. He is molding us."

For the Rev. Alane Currier Griggs with First United Methodist Church in Ogden, some of her favorite stories of biblical women come from the New Testament.

There's Phoebe, who helped teach and spread the faith. There's the women at the tomb of Christ, who helped share the news of Christ's resurrection.

"It's a huge subject," said Griggs, about the role of women in the Bible. "It's just not one that's talked about a lot."

From Olson's perspective, people can gain a better understanding of the Bible and also enhance their own study by reading and understanding the stories of women in the Bible.

"You gain confidence to study, find insights and ask questions of other scripture," said Olson. "You see passages of scripture that were previously invisible to you."

Resources and Books

"Women in the Bible: Bible Studies for Growing Faith," by Barbara J. Essex.

"Far More Precious than Jewels: Perspectives on Biblical Women," by Katheryn Pfisterer Darr

"Paul, Women, and Wives: Marriage and Women's Ministry in the Letters of Paul," by Craig S. Keener.

"Mary, Martha and Me," by Camille Fronk Olson.

E-mail: nwarburton@desnews.com