Unit 2 LESSON 13

November 24, 2024

STUDY TEXT: Acts 9:36-43; 16:9-40; Romans 16:1-2

CENTRAL TRUTH: Godly women are integral to the health and ministry of the Church.

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KEY VERSE: Proverbs 31:30 A woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised (KJV).

A woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised (NLT).

LET'S GET STARTED

As we finish up this series of lessons about godly women in Scripture, we're exploring the ways women contribute to the health and ministry of the Church. We'll look at three women in the New Testament Church: Dorcas, Lydia, and Phoebe. On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was poured out on men and women alike. Peter explained that this was fulfillment of a prophecy Joel made centuries earlier: "In the last days,' God says, "I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. . . . In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants--men and women alike---and they will prophesy" (Acts 2:17-18). As the New Testament Church became a dynamic and growing influence in the world, both men and women were vital to its expansion. In Galatians 3:26-29, Paul described what it meant to be God's children. "There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female," he explained. "You are all one in Christ Jesus" (verse 28). From the earliest days of the Church, we can see this principle at work as women like Dorcas, Lydia, and Phoebe helped carry out the Great Commission.

PART 1- Dorcas: faithful and Healed

Always Doing Kind Things            Acts 9:36-39

In the seaport town of Joppa, lived a believer named Dorcas (or Tabitha). Dorcas had a stellar reputation in her community, "always doing kind things for others and helping the poor (Acts 9:36). But she became sick and died. Although Dorcas's friends followed custom and washed her body, they did not wrap it in linen and spices for burial. Instead, their actions may indicate faith that God would act through Peter, w had been ministering in Lydda, about 9-10 miles east of Joppa. They placed Dorcas's body in an upstairs room and called for Peter to come to Lydda. When he arrived, Peter was immediately shown into the upper room where Dorcas's body was lying. The weeping widows there loved Dorcas dearly and had been recipients of her kindness and generosity. Dorcas's story reminds us of the significance of humbly loving people and providing for their needs. By serving the widows lived nearby, Dorcas was serving the Church and God himself (James 1:27). Her example encourages us to use whatever gifts we have been given. 

Discuss? How does Dorcas's example inspire you to reach out to the people around you?

Raised to Life                              Acts 9:40-43

During Jesus' earthly ministry, Peter had seen Him clear the room when He raised Jairus's daughter from the dead (Mark 5:37--43). Peter also sent everyone out of Dorcas's room. He knelt and prayed. Then Peter turned to Dorcas and spoke: "Get up, Tabitha" (Acts 9:40). Dorcas immediately opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up. What a day of rejoicing for the believers in Joppa, no doubt teaching the people. God used these two miracles to strengthen and build the Church.

Discuss? How can you live in such a way that God is glorified in your story?

Part 2-- Lydia: Convert, Evangelist, and Host

Lydia's Conversion                                 Acts 16:9-14

Paul visited a city's synagogue to tell the Jewish citizens about Jesus the Messiah. However, the Roman colony of Philippi most likely didn't have a synagogue. So when he arrived in Philippi, Paul went to a place of prayer outside the city gate. There, he found a group of women, and he and his companions sat down to speak with them. One of the women was Lydia, originally from Thyatira. Luke described Lydia as someone "who worshiped God" (acts 16:14). God sent Paul to share the gospel with Lydia and the others gathered outside Philippi. As she listened, "the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying" (verse 14). No longer just a God-fearer, she was now a follower of Jesus. In the Book of Jeremiah, God promised, if you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you" (29:13-14). God hears prayers of people who seek Him, and if necessary, He opens and closes doors until His obedient servants arrive with the gospel. God himself beautifully orchestrates every situation.

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DISCUSS? How did you first hear the gospel? Consider how God arranged the circumstances so you could learn about the salvation He offered.

           The Philippian Church Begins                           Acis 16:15, 40

Lydia immediately shared the gospel with her entire household and asked Paul and his companions to stay at her home. Luke simply says, 'She urged us until we agreed" (Acts 16:15). From these small beginnings, it's likely that one of the strongest New Testament churches was born. Soon after Lydia's conversation, Paul and Silas were imprisoned before being miraculously freed. These events led to the jailer and his entire household believing in God, once again, God had placed His servants where they could share the gospel with those who were ready to receive it. When Paul and Silas left the prison, they returned to Lydia's home. By this time, believers were gathering at her home (verse 40). When Paul and the others continued their missionary journey, Luke stayed in Philippi to carry on the work of the ministry.

DISCUSS? How can we overcome our hesitation to offer hospitality to one another? How can our hospitality encourage and build up those we invite into our homes?

      Part 3- Phoebe: Church Deacon

Romans 16:1-2

We'll spend the rest of this lesson discussing Phoebe, a church leader in Cenchreae (Sen-KREE-uh). She was chosen by God--and by extension, Paul--for a mission so important that we are still benefiting from the results today. Paul was near the end of his third missionary journey. It is widely accepted that Phoebe, delivered Paul's letter from Corinth to Rome. She is mentioned. only once in Scripture (Romans 16:1-2). Paul commends her to the believers in Rome. Phoebe's name indicates she was a Gentile. After calling "our sister, " Paul describes her as  diakonos in the church in Cenchreae. The New Living Translation and others translate this word as "deacon." The King James Version translate diakonos as "servant" in this verse, but it is an anomaly. Diakonos nearly always describes an official church ministry position. in the Epistles. Paul uses a unique word in verse 2 to describe Phoebe: prostatis, which is translated as "helpful" or "succorer." The word prostatis is best translated "a woman set over others," "a female guardian," or "a patroness." The apostle went on to list several other faithful women in Romans 16, all of whom proved that God used women in meaningful ways in the New Testament Church. Some of them were: 

(1). Priscilla--Each time Priscilla and her husband aquila are mentioned in the New Testament, her name is listed first, likely indicating she was the primary minister. (2). Junia-- Although some versions use a masculine form of this name, the Early Church fathers and commentators up to the 13th century all recognized Junia as a woman. Paul called her and Andronicus his kinsmen. (3). Rufus's mother--It has been suggested that this Rufus was the son of Simon of Cyrene, who carried Jesus' cross (Mark 15:21).

Women held integral roles in the Early Church. Paul's wording in Romans 15 (such as "labored . . .. in the Lord" in verse 12) indicates that some women probably were engaged in preaching, leading, and prophesying. Jesus had set the bar high by radically breaking cultural norms to interact with and validate women. and these early believers would not have been surprised to witness the ongoing fulfillment of the Pentecost promise that "your sons and daughters will prophesy." (2:17).

DISCUSS? How do the stories of Dorcas, Lydia, and Phoebe inspire you to serve God and His people?

WHAT IS GOD SAYING TO US?

Dorcas, Lydia, and Phoebe served God faithfully and used their gifts and resources to bless others and spread the gospel We have also been given gifts to bless our local church and community. Let's focus on glorifying Him with those gifts.

LIVING IT OUT

          (1). Look for a specific way to serve in your church this week Contact a pastor or ministry leader and ask how you could make someone else's load a little lighter.

      (2), Take a meal to someone who tirelessly serves at your church. tell them you recognize their efforts and appreciate all they do.

          (3). Pray about how the Lord wants you to serve your church family in the coming year. remember, there are no small tasks. God sees and values every effort to help spread the gospel.

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               DAILY BIBLE READING

        Monday: helper and Companion (Genesis 2:18-25) 

                  Tuesday: Miriams Leads in Worship. (Exodus 15:1, 19-21)

          Wednesday: Jael Gains the Victory. (Judges 5:24-31)

                              Thursday: A Gentile Woman's Faith Rewarded. (Matt.15:21-28)

 Friday: The First Evangelist (John 20:11-18)

                 Saturday: A Legacy of Maternal Faith. (2 Timothy 1:1-7)

Gospel Publishing House. 1445 N. Boonville Ave. Springfield, Missouri 65802 Volume 106 Number 1. Sep. Oct.  Nov. 2024