Women's History Month!

By Central Women

Did you know that March is Women’s History Month!?

To celebrate we want to recognize the ladies from the book of Acts. Spend some time to get to know who they are, read about them in scripture, and spend some time today reflecting on their contribution as disciples in Christ.

Meet Lydia:

(Acts 16:11-15)

Lydia was from the city of Thyatira, located in the Roman province of Lydia in Asia Minor. However, she was living in Philippi when we encounter her in the book of Acts. Lydia was a businesswoman, a dealer of purple cloth. The cloth was an expensive item, made purple from dye from a shellfish and the root of a madder plant. Only royalty and the wealthiest in the community wore such fine linens.

Lydia was gathering with a group of women, outside the city at the river’s edge. While they were meeting and praying, Paul arrived. Through the words of Paul, Lydia became a believer and was baptized right there in the river! She then invited Paul and the others to stay with her in her home.

What’s more… her entire household heard, believed, and were baptized. Lydia’s conversion is the first historical record of a woman converting to Christianity in Europe.

Meet Mary, Mother of John Mark

Acts 12:12

Mary was the mother of the disciple John Mark (who wrote the Gospel of Mark). We know she was a woman of means, as she had a large home in which she housed many people and several servants. Her generosity shaped the early church and provided meeting places when the church gathered. In fact, when Peter was arrested (Acts 12), the apostles and many others were gathered at Mary’s home and were praying. When Peter was rescued from prison, the first place he went was to Mary’s house.

Meet Priscilla

Acts 18: 24-28

Priscilla and her husband Aquila met Paul in Corinth. They made a living as tent makers, which is also how Paul made his living. At first strangers, they immediately had something in common. Together they travelled to Ephesus.

Having been mentored and trained by Paul, Priscilla began a life of ministry. She taught alongside her husband and their style was evangelistic. They explained “the way” in common, practical terms. Rather than teaching in public spaces, her style was more private.

We run into Priscilla again in Romans 16, when they return to Rome and continue to their style of evangelistic teaching and hospitality.

*The Way: Today churches have lots of names. If the early, first century church had a name, it would be “The Way.” Followers of “The Way” were some of the most fiercely persecuted during that time.

Meet Tabitha

Acts 9:36-43

Tabitha was a part of the church in Joppa, (near modern-day Tel Aviv). We know she was a beloved part of the early church, and a committed follower of Jesus. Luke calls her a “disciple” in Acts 9:36.

Her heart was to serve the church and she was known for her acts of charity.

Eventually Tabitha became sick and died. Peter and other disciples were nearby and urged to come to the room where Tabitha’s body was. The widows of the village were weeping, and they held out the items of clothing that Tabitha had made and given them which was a tribute to her love, care, and charity for the community.

Peter knelt, prayed, and then said, “Tabitha, get up!” And she did!

The story of Peter raising Tabitha became a story that spread far and wide.

The name Tabitha means gorgeous in Greek and graceful in Aramaic.

Throughout this month think about and answer these questions:

What struck you most about the women we learned about today?

What women in your life do you know who have made and/or are contributing as a disciple of Christ?

How can we encourage and support women as disciples in Christ?