Women, Called and Serving in Leadership

Women Disciples

April 13, 2009 on 4:16 pm | In Women in Ministry | No Comments

The word “disciple” means to be a follower of a teacher. I think the fact that the word disciple is usually seen as portraying the male gender has caused women and their contribution to the ministry of Jesus to be overlooked.

Jesus’ disciples were those who sat to listen to his teaching and who followed him as He traveled from city to city.

Mary of Bethany chose the place of a disciple – sitting at his feet to listen and learn from Him – and was not rebuked nor was she removed for doing so.

Mary Magdalene called Jesus Rabboni – Teacher – which named her as His disciple. She went with Him as He traveled from Galilee to Jerusalem. She (and other unnamed women) supported Jesus and His ministry from their personal finances. Jesus instructed Mary (and the women with her) to go and tell his other disciples that He had risen from the dead.

When we read the word disciple we must understand this word represents women as well as men who followed, served, and ministered to Jesus.