Women in the Early Church
In the last three months on the blog, we have concentrated on six women who were influential in the early Church. I am very grateful to Becky, Jodie, Kate & Simon for their contributions to this series.
Role Models
These six women were key figures whose influence shaped faith communities. Their faith, leadership, resources, and teaching played a part as Christianity began to spread across the world.
These women are still relevant today as role models for all of us. Each of them were willing to put their faith into action in whatever way they could. Their actions included:
• serving
• providing hospitality
• teaching the gospel
• helping the poor
• giving generously
• supporting another person’s ministry
• leading
• caring for others
• discipling others
The world today needs the church to rise up in all these areas. They are not actions consigned to history. They are necessary principles for today. We are fortunate in Jubilee Church to see these principles in action over and over again.
A Faith Legacy
It is easy to underestimate the impact of us walking faithfully with Jesus and serving him wholeheartedly. Priscilla’s impact on Apollos reached beyond him leaving the meeting with a better understanding of the Bible. Dorcas’ impact reached those who were most in need. Lydia’s impact reached beyond those who lived near her or stayed at her house. Her actions supported and enabled the spread of the gospel far beyond her locality. Phoebe’s servant-hearted leadership impacted the early church and helped spread the gospel into Europe.
Lois and Eunice are commended for the legacy of faith they left. Sometimes, as we spend time bringing up our children, we may feel that we are not fully participating in the mission of the church. But people who are mentioned in the Bible are there for a reason. Lois and Eunice were godly women who taught the scriptures to Timothy. He became an important leader in the early Church. What a legacy!
Of course legacy doesn’t have to be just your family. It’s all the people you’ve touched in life. The people you have helped through any of the actions listed above. So often we are unaware of how our actions have influenced someone else but that shouldn’t stop us from putting our faith into action.
To think about
Throughout the series, there have been questions for us to think about:
- Where might you find opportunities to ‘always do good and help the poor’?
- How might God be calling you to show courageous hospitality to others?
- Who is God calling you to influence for the Kingdom of God today?
- How can you use the gifts you have been given to release others to step out in faith too?
Let me add some others:
- Whose ministry is God calling you to support? What might that support look like?
- What is your ‘ordinary’ that you can offer to God to be used for Him?
