Women Who Risked Everything to Follow Jesus

Key Passage: “These women had followed Jesus in Galilee and helped him. Many other women were also there who had come with Jesus to Jerusalem. (Mark 15:41, NCV)

Key Message: If you have ever struggled with some of the storylines in the Bible, especially the ones involving women, you will be both surprised and blessed when you take a closer look at their lives. Once you’ve studied the fascinating females who followed Jesus—from His birth to the cross to His empty tomb and beyond—I believe it will inspire you to become a more fully devoted follower too.

Have you ever looked at various storylines in the Bible and struggled to see yourself reflected in them? Do you wonder what role women play in God’s Kingdom, both in Biblical times and now?

Sometimes it’s difficult to read about how women were treated and viewed in the ancient world and reconcile that with a loving God. The Law, delivered by Moses, certainly doesn’t seem “fair” or favorable to females either. 

What’s more, the “hero” roles in the Bible seem reserved for men: Noah, Abraham, Moses, Joseph and David in the Old Testament, and Jesus, His twelve disciples and apostles Paul and Luke in the New Testament.

Many of the women featured in the Bible are often portrayed as second-class citizens, harlots, liars, betrayers, seductresses or servants used by men and scorned by society. So where does that leave us women? Who are our role models and heroes in the Bible? Does God view us as “lesser than” too? Absolutely not!

Maybe we’re just so used to the stories, we skip right over them and miss their importance or the message each woman has for us.

We must trust God when He tells us that all Scripture is inspired by Him “to teach us what is true” and “correct us when we are wrong.” God also says Scripture “teaches us to do what is right.” God uses it to prepare and equip his people [you and I] “to do every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NLT, emphasis added).

Be assured: God loves all women and created each of us with a special role in His Kingdom. You and I are cherished daughters of a loving Heavenly Father and heirs to the throne ruled by King Jesus.

Don’t believe me? I will prove it to you.

I spent a year studying many women in the Bible who were chosen and used by God to further His Kingdom and spread the gospel. In fact, I found so many courageous women heroes and fearless female leaders to emulate in the Bible, I had trouble narrowing the list down for an 8-week study on women in the Bible.

Ater much prayer and guidance from the Holy Spirit, I wrote a Bible study called Fully Devoted. The study focuses on eight women in the New Testament who risked everything to follow Jesus. It examines their lives and the lessons they teach us today about what it looks like to be a devoted follower of the Son of God.

Each woman was chosen for her unique relationship and special encounter with Jesus.

Some of the women will be familiar to you, and others may not be as well-known. Some have “starring” roles in the New Testament, like Mary of Nazareth. Others aren’t even given a name, like the woman who bled for 12 years. But they all have one thing in common: They encountered Jesus, and their lives were forever changed!

This New Testament study for women and about women features:

• Mary of Nazareth—Devoted Follower of God’s Plan

• Salome—Devoted Kingdom Builder (No, she is not the one who requested the beheading of John the Baptist!)

• Mary Magdalene—Devoted Disciple

• Samaritan Woman—Devoted Evangelist

• Woman with the Issue of Blood—Devoted Seeker

• Martha—Devoted Servant

• Lydia—Devoted Convert

• Priscilla—Devoted Ministry Partner

 Jesus loved and treasured each one of these fully devoted female followers in the New Testament, just as He loves and treasures you and me.

Our stories—like theirs—reflect the Bible’s overarching redemption story.

Once you’ve studied these fascinating female followers of Jesus, I believe it will inspire you to become a more fully devoted follower too.

Fully Devoted (available on Amazon) is designed for both individual and group study. Work through it on your own, with a friend or small group, or suggest it to your women’s ministry director for the next women’s Bible study at your church.

A leader guide and teaching videos are available.  

If you have ever struggled with some of the storylines in the Bible—especially the ones involving women—you will be both surprised and blessed when you take a closer look at their lives. I sure was!

When you immerse yourself in each woman’s story, placing yourself in her sandals, you’ll discover what Jesus offered her, He offers you today—love, forgiveness, wholeness, and a special place in His Kingdom.

Prayer

Dear Jesus, I want to be Your devoted follower. Lift the women who walked with You off the pages of my Bible so I may see my story reflected in theirs. Help me to read about their unique encounters with You with a fresh pair of eyes—to see how You met them right where they were. And how the same forgiveness, healing, love and grace You lavished on them is available to me too.  

Amen

Reflection & Application 

Which woman in the Bible do you most relate to and why?

Which woman’s story in the Bible do you struggle with the most? Why?

What do you find most challenging/rewarding about following Jesus?