Women As Disciples 1

Women as Disciples of Christ If Christ commanded that all His people should make disciples until His return (Matthew 28:18-20) than one must acknowledge that women are a part of God’s elaborate plan to make disciples. Many times when one thinks of a disciple of Christ, their mind does not scan across the women of God that are spread throughout the Bible. Tabitha (or Dorcas) in Acts 9:36 is referred to as matheria meaning that she was a “female disciple.” Once the Early Church was set, they tended to shift in their language. This means that a “disciple” would have been referred to by using similar terms like saints, believers, and at times church. Biblically speaking, women were referred to 4x’s more than any other character except Jesus. It was women followers of Christ that were found at His cross and tomb, while the other 12 had deserted Him. They were also the first to witness Christ’s resurrection as well. What later became known as the good news (or Gospel) was sent first through a woman; as Mary Magdalene was the first to be left with the mandate to share the risen Christ with others (John 20:17).Finally, in Acts 1:13-14 we hear that in the Upper Room, women were praying earnestly and in unity. It was such devout prayer that led to the Pentecost. When searching the Bible we can see that women are given an important role in the genealogy of Christ. It was Sarah who gave birth to the generations that were later known as “Israel.” Then it was Ruth who was “weaved” into the Jewish circle due to her heart for God. Then in the book of Luke we see that there is a focus on the women in Christ’s life. It was Elizabeth who was godly and blessed in her old age with a prophet known as John the Baptist (Luke 1). Then a young woman of faith named Mary gets pregnant with the Messiah (Luke 1, 2, and 24). Then there was Anna (the prophetess) who waited in prayer and fasting and praised God at the news of the Messiah (Luke 2:36-38). Later we see Mary Magdalene who humbled herself at the feet of Jesus and later found a new purpose in life (Luke 8:1-3, 23:49, 24:10). Joanna and Susanna followed Jesus and supported him financially from their own money (Luke 8:1-3). Mary of Bethany sat at the feet of Jesus to receive from Him, while Martha of Bethany served Him with food (Luke 10:38-42). The Samaritan Woman (John 4) searched the words of Jesus and found salvation. Lydia and Priscilla who were defiantly disciples of Christ (Acts 16:14-15, 40 and Acts 18:1-3, 24-28). In Romans 16, Paul expressed that some women in Rome were women of God and condoned them for their examples. Timothy’s mother Eunice (2 Timothy 1:5) became a model for family discipleship as Timothy was inspired by her faith. Overall, there are many women in the Bible whose examples were worth mentioning and even elaborating on. Through dedication, compassion, serving and giving these women set examples of what it means to US to be a woman and a disciple of Christ!