This Following God Bible Study examines the many women of God who served as partners in the building of the early church. Reader swill discover how many women participated in founding the church and observe that their stories reveal a commitment, a courage, and a faith that is an impressive and important as that of the apostles.
The primary focus when teaching from the Book of Acts always seems to be on the apostles, and particularly on Paul. The name of the Book is, after all, The Acts of the Apostles. But, these men of God neither started nor sustained the Christian church by themselves. They needed the women of God as partners in order to make it work. And when you really study this book of the Bible, you not only discover how many women participated in founding the church, but you also see that the “acts” of these women reveal a commitment, a courage, and a faith that is an impressive and important as that of the apostles. In fact, they were essential to the very survival of the early Christian movem
Their stories need to be told. Their stories are about relationship and partnership and shared leadership for the sake of the gospel. Their stories show that the early Christians were more concerned about spreading the gospel than in worrying about who was right, wrong or more important. Their stories will at times shock you, bring you to tears, or fill you with joy.
Xavia Arndt Sheffield holds a BA degree in music and an MA degree in Speech/Theater from South Dakota State University. Married for more than thirty years to a Presbyterian minister, the Sheffields have served congregations in Massachusetts,Ohio, and metro Washington, DC. With an interest in church history combined with women’s issues in the church, Xavia has taught Women of the Bible, Great Women in Church History; Women in the Early Church, and Women in the Medieval Church. She has also written meditations for The Upper Room daily devotional guide. Xavia and her husband have two grown children and live in the Washington, DC metro area.
Paperback, 176 pages.
ISBN- 9780899573441
