Women are amazing! They tend to be patient and kind and often make great teachers and ministers even though they are often stifled and kept from being the teachers, deacons, prophetesses, prayer warriors, and ministers the Spirit often equips them to be. In addition, most church attendees are women and children, so no one else would be better equipped to teach and disciple them than godly women. Today, we will look at some excellent examples after first checking out some characteristics.

Proverbs 31 teaches us that she helps the poor and needy and is wise. She is hard-working and respectful. And she is made in the same image of Christ as her male counterpart. She walks by the same Spirit and, by the Spirit, teaches, comforts, prays and prophesies (Joel 2:28-29; Titus 2:3-5). Early Christian women ministered in the Church, even to Jesus and the apostles (Matthew 27:55; Romans 16:1-2 and 6), often as deacons (e.g., 1 Timothy 3:8-13; Romans 16:1).

Second, we have many great examples of wonderful, God-fearing women. Here are a few:

Rahab. (~ 1400 BC): Prostitute; savior of the Israelite spies; in the lineage of Jesus (mother of Boaz).

Ruth. (~1300 BC): Widow; Obedient & helpful; in the lineage of Jesus (wife of Boaz and mother of Obed, the father of Jesse).

Esther. (~490 BC): Obediently approached the king & saved God’s people.

Mary. (~20 BC): Obedient mother of Jesus; minister in the early church, especially Ephesus.

Mary & Martha. (~20 CE): Disciples and servants; Lazarus’ sisters.

Tabitha. (~40 CE): A disciple “abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did;” Raised from the dead by Peter.

Prisca. (~50 CE): Likely evangelized by Paul in Rome; tentmakers with Paul; disciples who evangelized & held a home-church (1 Corinthians 16:9). Teachers of the Scriptures (Acts 18:24-26).

Phoebe. (~55 CE): A servant in the Cenchrean Church (Romans 16:1).

Lydia. (~55 CE): Ministered in Philippi; dyer of purple; a worshipper of God who was baptized & served the Church (including Paul after prison).

Perpetua & Felicitas. (~200 CE): 3rd Century Catechumens; martyred for not renouncing Christ; evangelized the jail guard and others.

Catherine of Siena. (1347-1380): Activist; tended to the poor & sick; she is credited with composing over 400 letters, the Dialogue (which is her definitive work), and her prayers.

Mother Teresa. (1910 – 1997): Incredible servant!

In summary, God’s Holy Spirit empowers men and women alike to serve in the Church. Without godly women, Christianity would not be what it is today, nor would it have spread so quickly throughout the ancient world! May God bless you righteous women mightily!!

What about next week? We’ll start a three-part series on loving yourself as Christ commanded.

Blessings and peace,

Ron Braley