Bible Discussions on Women of God

October 3, 2026 — jwwealand

“Esther – Queen of Persia”

Esther’s official title was Queen of Persia (and of the Medes), after she married King Ahasuerus (Xerxes). Before rising to the throne, her birth name was Hadassah (myrtle tree).  She was the first cousin of Mordecai. She was the daughter of his uncle. When her parents died, Mordecai adopted her and raised her as his own daughter. Her Persian-derived name, Esther meant “star,” which she used publicly in the court. The return of Jewish exiles from Babylon to Judah happened in three main waves or trips over roughly a century (538 BC to 444 BC). The first return started the rebuilding of the Second Temple, which was completed in 516 BC . Never forget, Christ is our MORNING STAR, (Isaiah 60:1-2 & 2nd Peter 1:19)

Background: Cyrus the Great (Cyrus II) reigned 559-529BC. Founder of the Achaemenid Empire. He united the Medes and Persians, establishing a massive empire, and freeing Jewish exiles in Babylon to rebuild their Temple.  Then the grandson of Cyrus II, is Xerxes I (Xerxes the Great) also known as King Ahasuerus of Persia, reigning 486-465BC (appx 40 yrs after Cyrus died) In 483 BC: King Ahasuerus holds his royal banquet in the third year of his reign, marking the start of the narrative context (Esther 1:3). Between 479–478 BC Esther was taken into the palace and crowned queen in the seventh year of Xerxes’ reign (Esther 2:16). In 474 BC: Haman plots the destruction of the Jewish population in the twelfth year of the king’s reign (Esther 3:7).

King Cyrus allowed Jewish life to restart in Israel but later, if Haman would have succeeded in his anihilation of Jews, then their support to defend Jerusalem and help Nehemiah secure it’s walls in 445BC would have disappeared. The 2nd Temple would have been depleted & their worship on Zion would have ceased. Judah was becoming a baby nation all over again, and was entirely dependent on Persia. Jews had a vulnerable existence. Haman would have ended it centuries before Jesus was born. Esther is quiet about God, to teach us something loud about God. She is helping God keep His Promise.

Questions about Esther  

Why did her older cousin Mordecai advise Esther not to reveal her religious heritage, Esther 2:5-20 ?

Why did Jesus hide certain facts, until a later time to reveal the truth of who He was? See Mark 5:43, 7:36, 8:29-30 & 9:9.

Why did Mordecai, instead of protesting, allow his younger cousin to be taken into the king’s palace, Esther 2:8, and into a recently divorced gentile king’s bed chamber, Esther 2:15-18 ? Then later in Esther 4:12-14 requested her to reveal who she was?

Esther seems unconcerned with the dietary laws prescribed by the Lord as she was merely a victim of her circumstances, Esther 2:9. But when God’s people are threatened, she calls a fast from food, Esther 4:15-16, Why ?

When the day came for the Jews destruction, Jews ended up killing THOUSANDS of Persians who were going to attempt to kill them. Was Esther cruelly vindictive or justifiably opportunistic in her request to let the Jews kill three hundred more men and hang Haman’s ten sons from the gallows, Esther 9:13-16?

“Miriam – The Prophetess”

Miriam the daughter of Hebrew slaves, was born before Pharaoh ordered the Hebrew midwives to kill all Hebrew baby boys at birth, in an attempt to control the slave population. When the Hebrew midwives refused, Pharaoh expanded his decree to the entire nation, declaring that any Hebrew baby boy found was to be thrown into the Nile River (see Exodus 1:15-22). Only the daughters of Israel were to be kept alive. The Bible tells us that Amram and Jochebed had already given birth to a son and named him Aaron (Exodus 7:7) so Miriam’s brother Aaron escaped the threat of Pharaoh’s edict by virtue of his age. Jochebed’s next baby would be ill-fated. Miriam would take on a new responsibility protecting her baby brother and deliver him from certain death, her quick thinking connected baby Moses to his Hebrew heritage. The daughter of Pharaoh discovered the basket hiding a baby among the reeds, she had pity on the Hebrew baby and took him in to raise as her own (Exodus 2:5-6). Right then Miriam stepped forward and offered to find a nurse to help feed and care for the baby. “So the girl went and called the child’s mother” (Exodus 2:7) It is undeniable that a young Miriam helped ensure her brother’s survival and played an essential role in God’s plan for Moses’s life and the future of her people.

Many years later, at the age of 80, Moses would return to Egypt under authority of the God of Israel to deliver His people from slavery (see Exodus 3-13). While Miriam, Moses’ older sister (over 80) miraculously crossed the Red Sea onto dry land and realizing the Egyptian army had been destroyed beneath the waves of the sea, the free people of Israel began to worship and praise the God of their fathers. Here, Miriam took up the tambourine and led the women of Israel in song and dance (see Exodus 15:20). “Sing to the Lord,” Miriam rejoiced, “for He is highly exalted; the horse and his rider He had hurled into the sea.” (Exodus 15:21) This song of victory is the only passage where Miriam is called a “prophetess,” a title reserved for very few women in Scripture. Miriam would continue to serve alongside her brothers as they led God’s people closer to the Promised Land (see Micah 6:4).

What kind of sin did Miriam commit?

During Israel’s wanderings in the desert, both Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses for marrying a Cushite woman (see Numbers 12:1). Both siblings were involved in the complaint against Moses. However, as Miriam is listed first, it is implied that the discontent began with her. They said, “Has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken through us as well?” (Numbers 12:2). The Lord’s anger burned against Miriam and Aaron for willfully speaking against Moses. The problem here was not that Miriam and Aaron took issue with his wife. Rather, there seemed to be a more deeply seeded discontent: jealousy and even arrogance that led them to challenge Moses’ authority and credibility. Both Miriam and Aaron were leaders and called by God to help shepherd His people in a special way (see Titus 3:1-15; James 1:26; James 4:11-12; Ephesians 4:21; and Philippians 4:8). God’s call on Moses’ life, however, was unique and set apart. “He (Moses) is faithful in all my household,” God told Miriam and Aaron, “with him I speak mouth to mouth, even openly, and not in dark sayings, and he beholds the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant, against Moses?” (Numbers 12:7-8). God made it clear: Disrespecting His anointed leader was the same as disrespecting or grumbling against Him. On the part of Miriam and Aaron, it revealed a lack of faith in God’s authority and God’s choice of leadership. Because of her part in the rebellion against Moses, Miriam was struck with leprosy by the hand of the Lord (Numbers 12:10). Moses, however, quickly interceded before God on behalf of his sister, and Miriam was healed seven days later (Numbers 12:11-15).  Miriam is not mentioned again until her burial at Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin, nearly 40 years after the Hebrews had left Egypt (Numbers 20:1) making her to be well over 100 years old. Like her brother Aaron and most of God’s people who had complained against God in the wilderness, Miriam did not enter the Promised Land. But her legacy in Scripture is ultimately one of faithful service to God, to her family, and in her Nation her name would become the name of the Lord’s mother “Mary”.

Questions about Miriam:

Did she ever marry and have children?

Does her leadership in rejoicing show us anything about worship?

(Philippians 4:4-8)

Does her prophetic work help us appreciate the importance of silent details?

Does she remind God’s children to stop complaining?

(James 5:9 & Philippians 2:14 & John 6:60-62)

Deborah & Jael (Jdg 4:1-5:7) Huldah (2 Kgs 22:3–20 & 2 Chr 34:22–28) – Leaders for God’s Nation

Deborah shows us leadership through wisdom, courage, and trust in God. She served as a prophetess, judge, and military strategist during a hard time of enemy oppression. 

Key Leadership Traits of Deborah the Judge

1. Wisdom and Justice: People came to Deborah under a palm tree to settle disputes and receive wise counsel. She listened well and provided fair direction. 

2. Courage in Crisis: She stepped forward with great bravery when Israel faced harsh danger from Canaanite oppressors. 

3. Empowering Others: Deborah did not try to do everything by herself. She called the military commander Barak and worked alongside him to organize the defense. 

4. Humility: After winning the battle, Deborah sang a song of praise (Judges 5) that gave the ultimate glory to God rather than to herself. See 1st Corinthians 10:31

Jael shows leadership in swift decisiveness, fearless courage, and strategic action that liberated Israel from oppression. Key Leadership Traits of Jael the Assassin 

1. Eliminating the threat: She made a bold, split-second decision to rid the region of a tyrannical enemy, using a household tent peg and a hammer to kill him while he slept. 

2. Resourcefulness: Using what was available: She showed that leaders do not always need conventional tools or military might to solve a massive problem. 

3. She stepped out alone: Operating outside the traditional military chain of command, she took personal responsibility for the safety of her people. 

4. Choosing the Right Side: Though her husband’s clan had a tentative peace with the enemy king, Jael chose to align herself with God’s people and justice. See Luke 18:1-7

Key Leadership Qualities of Huldah The Prophetess

1. She was a trusted authority: King Josiah sent the high priest and top national officials to consult Huldah when they found the lost Book of the Law, proving her high standing and reputation in Jerusalem. 

2. Spiritual Discernment: She authenticated the newly found scroll as the true word of God, which laid a vital foundation for scripture and canon formation. 

3. Courageous Truth-Telling: She gave both the warning of coming judgment for the nation’s sins and the promise of peace due to Josiah’s humble repentance. She did not soften her message for powerful men. See Ephesians 4:14-16.

Phoebe – Romans 16:1-2

(1st Corinthians 11:2-16 & 14:26-40 & Titus 2:3-4 & 1st Timothy 2:11-14, 3:10-13 & 5:3-11)

These six New Testament passages are the only scriptures that speak of a woman’s role in the context of church leadership. There are many other passages that include women serving the church, such as Dorcas, Chloe, Lydia, Priscilla, Rhoda, Euodia & Syntche and many other sisters whom the apostle Paul greets in his letters, but only one of them is described as a “servant”: Phoebe. Phoebe is the only sister that is called a deacon in the church and also one of Paul’s assistants. But this single description in no way describes Phoebe as holding the office of a group and/or squad of deacons. The office of deacons is twice described in scripture as being for certain brothers that have been proven to hold certain traits listed in Acts 6:1-6 & 1st Timothy 3:8-13. There are big differences between being part of a deaconship/diakonate in the church, and someone who works in the church as a deacon and/or servant. Here are the 3 big differences:

1 – Appointment for accountability as a group/squad of deacons

2 – Apostolic credentials in a group/squad of deacons

3 – The plurality of deacons

A sister can work as a deacon for the church like Phoebe, but only brothers can serve as appointed team members of an accountable group of deacons holding certain criteria, Acts 6:1-6 & 1st Timothy 3:8-13. Why is this? See 1st Timothy 2:11-14.

Phoebe is not an exception to a rule, she is a statement of faith that should teach the church as a whole that we need working sisters. Without them the church is weak and struggling. Sisters like Phoebe should be supported for their work, not because they hold certain criteria for a diaconate, because they don’t, but because of their skills and/or labor, they should be supported, not ignored or neglected. The Father calls all sisters in the church “daughters” of the Almighty, 2nd Corinthians 6:18, Romans 8:16-17 & 1st John 3:1-2, Galatians 3:28, they are equally loved, equally needed and equally treated with respect. Why? Because they’re our equals in Christ.

Interesting historical note on the Roman Army in view of Ephesians using the Roman Army as a backdrop to the Spiritual Army of The Church. 

The smallest unit in Rome’s military was called the “Contubernium” it was their version of our word “Squadron”, it consisted of eight Legionary soldiers who shared a single tent, alongside two non-combatant servants to help set up & take down camp. The Contubernium usually had these 10 members and their leader was a Decanus (not akin to the word deacon), but meant “Chief of Ten”. No Squad or Contubernium acted or fought on it’s own. Each Contubernium was part of a CENTURY. A Century of Squads usually consisted of 8 Squads or 80 men. The Decanus was a type of Corporal in our terminology and some of the Decanus in Rome’s Army led as many as 8 Contuberniums. 5 Centuries usually equaled a Cohort which was led by a Centurion. Some theologians insist on comparing the local congregation of the church of Christ as a CENTURY, which would have both Legionaries and Auxiliaries or non-combatant servants making up the 8 squads or contuberniums. 

The Eldership might be parallel to the Decanus?

The Deaconship might be parallel to the Servants?

The Christian might be parallel to Legionary soldiers? 

This picture may fall into the mindset of Paul when led by God’s Spirit to describe the church as an army in Ephesians 6:10-20. It would include EVERY Sister as well as Brothers!

1 Legion (normally 5200 – 4800 men)

1 Legion = 10 Cohorts (normally 480 men for each Cohort)

1 Cohort = 6 CENTURYS (led by a Centurion Soldier)

1 Century (appx 80 legionaires) = 10 Contuberniums (Squads of 10) led by a Decanus

Mary the Handmaiden of The Lord –  Matthew 13:55 through Acts 1:14

Mary called herself a “doulos”, in the feminine form of the word, when she replied to the angel Gabriel’s news, Mt. 1:38. The feminine form of this type of ‘slave’ is only used three times in the New Testament, in her song to the Lord while pregnant, Mt. 1:48. Luke also uses “doulos” when quoting the prophecy by Joel fulfilled as the church was born. “Handmaidens” were to make prophecies known in the new church, Acts 2:18. The way Mary refers to herself as “handmaiden/doulos”, proves her humility. She would be the last person on earth that ever wanted to be “venerated” in any way. Her proclamation to be “blessed among all generations” was in reference to her motherhood, not her sainthood. Every Christian has a sainthood (Luke 1:48-49) see Rom. 1:7, 1st Cor. 1:2, Eph. 1:1, Php. 1:1, Col. 1:2, 1st Ths. 3:13, 1st Tim. 5:10, Phm. 1:5, 7. Heb. 13:24, Jud. 3, 14. Rev. 19:8. Mary is a unique mother in the fact that her virgin birth brought Christ into the world, Luke 1:34-37. Mary was a saint, in the same sense that you and I are saints, she obeyed Christ! John 2:5 & Acts 1:12-15. Along with 120 other saints, she prayed through her Son to God.

The humility of Mary is what caused her to praise God’s holiness, Luke 1:48-50. His holiness in her life allowed her to see God, Hebrews 12:14, which is the same exact divine virtue that allows you and me to see God. 

“Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or vanity, each of you should, in 

________________, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself ” ~ Philippians 2:3, (ref. Romans 12:3)

The Biblical record emphasizes Mary’s praise & prayer. She is a great example of what is acceptable praise & prayer before God. Here are highlights of what she prayed about:

  1. How great God’s powerful mercy is toward his people, Lk. 1:49-50
  2. How great God’s sovereign power is over worldly powers, Lk. 1:51-53
  3. How faithful God’s fulfilment is of his promises to his people, Lk. 1:54-55
  4. Even in grief, she persevered in prayer for the unity of God’s church, Acts 1:14 which is very similar to what Jesus prayed for in John 17:20-21

Do we praise God for these reasons? Do we pray to God for unity? Be like Mary!

“Tamar, Judah’s Daughter-in-law & Tamar, King David’s Daughter”

There are two biblical figures named Tamar who are the focus of scriptural studies: Tamar in Genesis 38 (Judah’s daughter-in-law) and Tamar in 2 Samuel 13 (King David’s daughter). Both figures offer different lessons on loyalty, justice, and survival in a broken world. 

Tamar of Genesis 38 (Judah’s Daughter-in-Law) Twice widowed after her wicked husbands Er and Onan die, Tamar is wrongfully denied her right to marry Judah’s youngest son. 

  • The Action: Disguising herself, she confronts Judah’s deception with a daring plan to secure her family line and future. 
  • The Redemptive Legacy: Tamar becomes the first woman named in the genealogy of Jesus Christ in Matthew 1, demonstrating how God weaves His purposes through unexpected people. 

Tamar of 2 Samuel 13 (King David’s Daughter) A tragic narrative where Tamar is assaulted by her half-brother Amnon and subsequently discarded. 

  • The Aftermath: Her story exposes deep-seated corruption, royal family dysfunction, and the painful silence or failure of leadership by David, eventually Absalom assassinates Amnon.
  • The Lesson: This narrative is often studied to address themes of trauma, injustice, and the devastating ripple effects of sin within families. 

The way God reveals both of these women in the New Testament is remarkable, one is remembered in the eternal gospel by name, the other is not. While the physical lineage of David is a mess, in the lineage of Christ, Solomon’s mother is unnamed, going the opposite direction of lineage through David’s descendants missing Tamar, his innocent daughter. However, Judah’s daughter-in-law, the sexually immoral Tamar, is in the direct line responsible for bringing the Messiah into the world  in Matthew 1:3, which is very ironic. Why? Does it not reflect on the importance of Spiritual Israel and not the physical? Romans 2:28-29, Galatians 3:28 & 6:16, Philippians 3:3. The same Spiritual freedom of Israel is seen in Paul’s allegory of Sarah & Hagar in Galatians 4:22-31. Never forget the ironic placement of Tamar, Judah’s daughter-in-law in the lineage of Christ! She should remind us of how God never forgets the stranger who loves justice, mercy and walks humbly with our God ~ Micah 6:8

The Great-Grandmother of King David – RUTH

  (Matthew 1:5)

God cares for his needy daughters like Naomi and Ruth; he is their ally in this chaotic world. He richly rewards people like Ruth and Boaz who demonstrate sacrificial love and in so doing become his instruments in helping the needy. God’s rewards for those who sacrificially love others sometimes exceed their wildest imagination and transcend their lifetime. See James 1:27

Ruth 1:8 – Naomi’s Blessing on Her Daughters-in-Law

The Context: After the deaths of her husband and sons, Naomi urges Ruth and Orpah to return to their homeland….”And Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, ‘Go, return each to her mother’s house. May the Lord deal kindly (chesed) with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me.'” – See 2nd Timothy 16-18

The Significance: Naomi asks God to reward the young women with the same life-giving loyalty they showed to their deceased husbands and to Naomi herself.

Ruth 2:20 – Naomi Recognizes Boaz’s Generosity

The Context: Ruth returns from gleaning in the fields with an abundance of grain and mentions the name of the field owner, Boaz…. “Then Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, ‘May The LORD Bless him, who has not forsaken His kindness (chesed) to the living and the dead!’ And Naomi said to her, ‘This man is a relation of ours, one of our close relatives.'” – See Philippians 4:10-14

The Significance: Naomi sees Boaz’s willingness to protect Ruth as a sign that God’s covenant commitment and care are actively at work to rescue her family line.

Ruth 3:10 – Boaz Commends Ruth’s Loyalty

The Context: Ruth approaches Boaz at the threshing floor at night, asking him to act as her family’s guardian-redeemer….. “Then he said, ‘Blessed are you of the Lord, my daughter! For you have shown more kindness (chesed) at the end than at the beginning, in that you did not go after young men, whether poor or rich.'” – 1st Corinthians 13:4-5.

The Significance: Boaz recognizes that Ruth’s actions are not driven by romance, but by a sacrificial devotion to secure a future for Naomi’s family name

Ruth 4:14-15 – The Women publicly commend Ruth’s love for Naomi

Ruth’s affectionate love (ahab) for Naomi was seen by the women of Bethlehem and her birth of Obed (“one who serves”) is the ultimate security for her personally and provides an heir for her future family and/or estate. God quietly works through human loyalty and faithfulness to turn deep despair into a lasting blessing, through her, King David arrives! God establishes Christ’s reign through fulfilled promises.

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Discussions on Women of God

August 19, 2026 — jwwealand

SARAH – The Free Woman – Galatians 4:21-31

The wife of Abraham was very beautiful, she was so attractive that twice, Abraham felt threatened with losing her to two different Kings. This is recorded in Genesis 12 as Pharaoh wanted her, and also in Genesis 20 when Abimelech the King of Gerar desired her. There are two amazing facts about both of these incidents. 

Firstly, Sarah had to be over 60 yrs old when Pharaoh took her and close to 80 when Abimelech took her, even though she was barren when Pharaoh took her and past the age of child-bearing when Abimelech took her (Gen. 18:10-14), But Sarah obviously maintained her beauty (Gen. 12:11-14 & Gen. 20:5-18) This was not an advantage to her, it was a problem! How did Sarah know the solution to the problem her beauty presented? Somehow by the fact she insisted on calling her husband “Lord” when aged, (Gen. 18:12) The apostle Peter points out that because of her virtuous courage and obvious obedience, she was blessed with safety, honor & “incorruptible beauty” from her spirit! Read 1st Peter 3:1-6.

Secondly, Sarah was barren (Gen. 11:30), and even though she couldn’t conceive, Abraham was still willing to lie twice about their identity to save his own life without any regard for Sarah’s integrity! Amazingly, Sarah went along with Abraham’s lie even when it made her vulnerable to the possible loss of her own life because they both had no assurance that there was any “fear of God” in Abimelech (Gen. 20:11). Ironically, Abimelech ended up being blessed by God, because of God’s intervention and Sarah’s courageous obedience!  See Genesis 20:14-18.

The Apostle Paul uses Sarah as an allegory for spiritual freedom. Please read Galatians 4:21-31. He calls her the “free woman” because she was literally a free person in her social status, unlike her servant Hagar who was an enslaved woman. Paul then uses this literal status to represent the freedom Christians have through God’s grace rather than human effort. She represents the new covenant of grace (Heb. 10:29) Her son, Isaac, was born through God’s miraculous promise and supernatural power when she was past childbearing age. In contrast, Hagar (the enslaved woman) represents the old covenant of the Mosaic Law. Her son, Ishmael, was born through normal human effort and attempts to fulfill God’s plan by human works. The meaning of spiritual freedom is in Sarah’s child Isaac, he was a gift born by God’s promise, spiritually free people are children of God’s promise and grace. Trying to earn salvation through religious rules of human effort keeps a person in spiritual slavery (like a slave mother’s child). Trusting in Christ brings spiritual liberty (like a free mother’s child) Sarah therefore is an amazing example for a woman of God to follow in courage & obedience!

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A Series of Discussions on Women of God

August 4, 2026 — jwwealand

“Eve – The Mother of Humanity” (Genesis 3:20)

God’s creation of humanity in His image is lacking without a woman, Genesis 1:27 & 5:1-2. God’s women are just as equally essential, equally loved & equally valued as God’s men, 1st Cor. 11:8-12. They should be honored for their privileged position in bearing children and completing our humanity in God’s image.

Eve was God’s created “Helper”, Gen. 2:18-20, for Adam. Without her “help”, Adam would become hopeless, helpless and only half the man God intended him to be. The word Helper in Hebrew is “EZER – the aid and/or giving succour”. Both the Psalmist and Isaiah call God our “Helper”, and in the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is our Helper and/or Comforter, (John 14:16, 26, 15:26, 16:7) It is a great honor to be designed as a Helper/Comforter in God’s eyes, as He is a Helper too. God’s first woman was described by God as a Helper before Adam named her Eve, meaning “life giver and/or living” – HAUA in Hebrew, Gen. 3:20

When Eve had her firstborn, Cain, she acknowledged God’s source of power as the LORD of life, Gen. 4:1. Every woman that wants to be a woman of God should profess and confess that Christ is the source of her life-giving ability, Colossians 1:16-17. None of this means that a woman who is not a mother can not be a woman of God because He has used different women in the Bible for great good effect, i.e., Deborah, Jael & Esther. In the N.T., Lydia is on record as having a household, but that doesn’t mean she had children, she was a business woman and God used her to great effect to spread the gospel. The most blessed woman of God, the mother of Jesus, credited God as the holy life-giving power when she rejoiced with Elizabeth in her pregnancy, Luke 1:41-49. When women of God do this, they glorify God and He blesses them! If God had not worked this miracle through Mary & Elizabeth, would we learn to give God the credit in our own reproduction? Or would we take all the credit for ourselves by our own knowledge in biology? See Isaiah 49:5 & Jeremiah 1:5. Eve started this wisdom of God with her firstborn! Our life begins with the opportunity to credit God for our life. Every good parent should reinforce and reiterate that to their children. If we decide to refuse or neglect devotion of ourselves to Christ, we will be emulating Eve’s greatest mistake, 2nd Corinthians 11:3. Eve’s deception caused her to fall for the devil’s tricky lie, that God doesn’t really mean what he says, see Genesis 3:1-4. Jesus says the devil is the father of lies because he first deceived Eve the mother of humanity, (John 8:44) Eve was duped by the Devil, but she was also betrayed by Adam, as he was with her when she fell (Genesis 3:6) It was his responsibility to protect and remind her that God really does mean what he says. Therefore Adam must take more responsibility and become a better spiritual leader. See 1st Timothy 2:11-15. The first sin entering into the world was not a sin of commission by eating the forbidden fruit. The first sin was of omission as Adam did not stop her, he was an eyewitness to her tragedy and remained silent as Satan insidiously tricked her into eating. Husbands are supposed to help Wives spiritually, while Wives are supposed to help Husbands physically.

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Essential Evangelism

July 20, 2026 — jwwealand

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you…

(Matthew 28:19-20)

What is our strength in the ability and confidence to deliver the good news message of Jesus?

Define Faithfulness, (Gk) Pistos, “trustworthy, believing, sure or true” – Strongs Dictionary

There are many different ways to “GO”, but however we try to deliver the good news, in some way, we are becoming a good news bringer, which is the root definition of an Evangelist, (Gk) Euaggelistes, “preacher” – Strongs Dictionary. Or “messenger of good news, a title given to messengers who were not apostles in the New Testament” – Thayers Dictionary. The Greek verb is “Euaggelizo, “to preach or bring or announce good news” – Thayers Dictionary.

The method of learning how to catch people spiritually is to imitate Jesus as best you can. Jesus said, “Follow Me”.  What would Jesus say, if he met a visitor in the assembly? Some of us do not feel confident enough about our faith, to put ourselves in the Master’s shoes, in order to try to emulate Him.  So we need to get to know our “net”, (The Gospel), in order to use it well. 

The Gospel of God, 1st Peter 4:17.  Is about how good God is and how much we need Him.

The Gospel of the grace of God, Acts 20:24. Is about how God treats us like as if we had no sin!

The Gospel of your salvation, Ephesians 1:13.  Is about the many ways and means of His deliverance of our soul into eternal life, see Philippians 2:12.

The Gospel of peace, Ephesians 6:15.  Is about how God makes friends with all of us, even though we were at one time, his enemies against Him. Ephesians 2:14.

The Gospel for the circumcised and the gospel for the uncircumcised, Galatians 2:7.  Is about how God never plays favorites and shows no partiality to race, nationality or culture. See Colossians 3:9-11

The Glorious Gospel of the Blessed God, 1st TImothy 1:11 & 2nd Corinthians 4:4-6

How do we talk about the Good News from God?  Do we pray about sharing these truths?

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Essential Evangelism

July 16, 2026 — jwwealand

“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”  ~ John 11:25-26

In this world, no one likes to pay a ransom to free victims, because we are afraid the kidnappers will get what they want, while killing the victim. But God paid the ransom price because the resurrection guarantees the kidnapper (Satan) will not get the victim or the price! Satan does kidnap people and victims do not want the ransom paid when they fall victim to their kidnapper Satan. In this world Patty Hearst, Natascha Kampusch & the original four Kreditbanken Hostages in Stockholm (1973) fell victim to what is described by doctors as “the Stockholm Syndrome”. Spiritually, there are many different reasons humans fall prey to the lies in our sinful world which trap us to sympathize with Satan and/or sinners that actually become our demise. This takes place today physically in the form of human smuggling. There are hundreds of victims that the police never find, which die and are forever lost. God will not force the ransom money to be paid if the lost kidnapped person does not want it. If we fall in love with Satan’s ways, loving this world instead of God, we assign ourselves to the kidnappers’ evil trap & destiny of destruction. We must convince people that we need to accept the ransom price as paid and apply it to our soul, obeying from the heart this good news of the crucified Christ resurrected. This releases us from the slave-ship of Satan.

THE RESURRECTION IS REAL: Christ’s proof that the redemptive price paid is powerful, Romans 6:16-22

  1. The Change in 12 disciples becoming apostles & the change in Saul to Paul, 1st Corinthians 15:1-17 & 2nd Corinthians 11:22-28
  2. The Empty Tomb, guarded by Temple Soldiers that had Roman authority from Pilate, Matthew 27:58-66, and also publically known by Joseph of Arimethea on the Sanhedrin.
  3. Fulfilled claims of Jesus & prophecies in the Old Testament, John 2:13-22
  4. Hundreds of Eye-witness accounts of His resurrection, 1st Corinthians 15:3-9. Paul the apostle had many critics accusing him of being a liar and false-apostle. All his critics needed was for just one single eye-witness to deny the resurrection, and then Paul could be proved a liar, but it never happened because it’s true!
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Essential Evangelism

July 3, 2026 — jwwealand

 This gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come ~ Mt. 24:14

Evangelism is defined by dictionaries as “the activity of persuading people to become Christians, often by traveling around and telling people about your beliefs”. But this is not evangelism as defined by Jesus in the above verse in Matthew 24:14. It is not about our beliefs as a Christian, it is about the Kingdom of Christ.

The apostle Paul defined it as “do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry”, it involves labor as a service that involves your own personal efforts, talents and/or skills. See 2nd Timothy 4:3-5. In other words, the good news of the Kingdom can be shared by our own personal actions in public, just as effectively as it can by words. 

The message of the Kingdom can be stolen by “the evil one” and never take root in a person’s heart, if our heart is too hard, Matthew 13:19. This message has 3 virtues in this single verse.

1- K_____________ .       2 – G_______________ .    3 – S___________________ .

In John 18:36-38. Jesus forcefully let Pilate know that His Kingdom was not worldly to fight a physical fight, but his Kingdom’s purpose and message was in this world with a spiritual truth that some people will listen to. His voice is part of His Kingdom, so when we speak about the good news of his Kingdom, it should only be about whatever Jesus says, because only Jesus has authority to define the Kingdom’s message. To Pilate, Jesus was clearly claiming to be King, and for that, Pilate let the Jews sentence him to death. Do you as a Christian, understand the spiritual nature of the Kingdom, please read Luke 17:20-21.

 “The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, 

‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the ___________

 of _______.” 

When the apostle Peter describes us in 1st Peter 2:9-10, he defines the purpose of our existence as PROCLAIMERS. What exactly are we supposed to be proclaiming?

 “the excellencies of _______ who called you out of darkness into his marvelous ______ 

Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received

 mercy, but now you have received __________. 

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Essential Evangelism

June 22, 2026 — jwwealand

Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!

Jesus Christ ~ Luke 11:28

An essential part of being a growing congregation is learning how to react to different attitudes in the world towards the Bible. Peter knew this when he wrote we should “set Christ apart as Lord in your hearts and always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess. Yet do it with courtesy and respect, keeping a good conscience, 1Peter 3:15-16

Here are 3 different attitudes responding to the “hope”, we possess as Christ in the Scriptures.

1 – “Whatever it’s glorious truths, the Bible looms as an intimidating, hard-to-understand book full of esoteric names and mystifying practices” – (G. Gallup Jr., “The Next American Spirituality” Jan. 2002). There are five words that are now becoming the mantra of the new millennium: “I’m into spirituality, not religion”… More and more people are viewing the Bible as more about feeling good and not being good, more about stress reduction than salvation, more therapeutic than theological. The world sometimes treats the Bible as being as much about the body as it is the soul, they lose the emphasis God has on the soul and not the body. What should a Christian’s reaction be?

Everyone then who hears these words of mine and _________  ________ will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ~ Mat.7:24  A Rock for what? The body or soul?

2 – “The Bible is outdated, mistranslated and not essential for learning the truth”. Many agnostics are of this view. What should a Christian’s reaction be?

Man shall not ________ by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God ~ Mat. 4:4. Helping people understand how truth is discerned from scripture, see Psalms 119:160.

3 – “You can trust the Bible, but not it’s interpretation”. This false view is sometimes found in the Church and abounds in the denominations. What should our reaction be?

________________ them in the truth; your word is truth – John 17:17

Interpretation is best approached with Peter’s advice in 2nd Peter 1:20-21. Our view of the Bible directly affects how we use the Bible, “Know This First…” (v20) Charles Spurgeon said, “How do you defend the Bible? The way you defend a lion, open up the cage and let it out!” Remember there are two lions in the world, the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Gen.49:9-10 & Rv. 5:5) and the roaring lion (1Pt.5:8) Peter says he is seeking to devour any of us. In the Bible, the spirit of Judah’s lion wants to exercise His power and word on your heart and the hearts of others we talk to.

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