2. QUESTION: WHAT ONE THING ABOUT YOUR MOTHER IMPACTED YOUR LIFE IN A POSITIVE WAY!

3. WOMEN OF THE BIBLE WOMEN THROUGHOUT CHURCH HISTORY MOTHERS IN THE HOMES WOMEN IN THE CHURCH

4. I. WOMEN IN THE CHURCH! “These all with one mind are continually devoting themselves to prayer, ALONG WITH THE WOMEN, AND MARY, the mother of Jesus and His brothers.” (Acts 1:14) “And when the day of Pentecost had come, THEY WERE ALL together in one place….And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.” (Acts 2:1,4)

5. WOMEN IN THE “FIRST” CHURCH!  They belonged to the initial and original followers of Jesus  They were included in the inauguration of the church  They were included in the receiving of the Holy Spirit

6. II. WOMEN ENCOURAGERS IN THE BOOK OF ACTS

7. (WOMEN ENCOURAGERS) A. THE WOMAN WHO CARED ABOUT OTHERS! “Now in Joppa, there was a certain disciple…named Dorcas; this woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did…and she fell sick and died.” (Act 9:36,37)

8. “We can’t live without her!” “Peter arose…and they brought him to the upper room; and all the widows stood beside him weeping and showing all the tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them…Peter knelt down and prayed…and said, ‘Tabitha (woman) arise’…and she opened her eyes and sat up…and many believed in the Lord.” (Acts 9:38-43)

9. WOMEN ENCOURAGERS B. THE WOMAN WHO WAS A PRAYER WARRIOR! “…and many were gathered together and were praying (for Peter to be released from prison). And Peter (who had been released) knocked on the door and a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer the door. She recognized Peter and was so overjoyed, she forgot to open the door and she ran to tell the others that Peter was at the door.”

10. “If you can’t sleep at night, don’t count sheep – talk to the shepherd!” “Whether you want to admit it or not, we are all dependent on others who pray for us….” “If you are serious about prayer, you will pray ‘Lord, whatever it takes…and Your will be done.’”

11. WOMEN ENCOURAGERS

12. 1.SHOW THEM5. PRAY FOR THEM 2. TELL THEM6. TRAIN THEM 3. TAKE THEM7. ENCOURAGE THEM 4. MAKE THEM

13. WOMEN ENCOURAGERS “And a certain woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshipper of God, was listening, and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul. And when she and her household had been baptized, she invited them to stay at her house.” (Act 16:14,15)

14. WOMEN ENCOURAGERS “And a certain Jew named Apollos, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures….But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately….” (Acts 18:24,26) “And he (Paul) found a certain Jew named Aquila…having recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all Jews to leave Rome). Paul came to them because he was of the same trade….” (Acts 18:2,3) D. THE WOMAN WHO WAS A SUPPORT AND A MENTOR!

16. 2. WOMEN AND MEN ARE EQUALLY GIFTED BY GOD AND ARE BOTH USEFUL IN THE BUILDING OF CHRIST’S CHURCH! “BUT TO EACH ONE IS GIVEN A GIFT OF THE SPIRIT FOR THE COMMON GOOD….” 1 COR. 12:7

17. ENCOURAGEMENT FOR WOMEN 3. WOMEN HAVE PLAYED PROIMINENT ROLES IN THE ADVANCEMENT OF GOD’S KINGDOM AND MUST BE ACCEPTED, RESPECTED AND HONORED FOR THEIR COMMITMENT AND SERVICE!

19. ENCOURAGEMENT FOR WOMEN 4. EVERY MINISTRY IS IMPORTANT TO THE BODY OF CHRIST WHETHER IT IS A SIMPLE TASK OR A MORE DIFFICULT TASK – NO MINISTRY IS INSIGNIFICANT!

20. ENCOURAGEMENT FOR WOMEN 5. WOMEN ARE TO BE HONORED IN THE HOME AND IN THE CHURCH FOR WHO THEY ARE AND FOR THE RESPONSIBILITIES THEY HAVE!

21. 1. AFFIRM 2. EXPRESS APPRECIATION 3. HELP WHERE HELP IS NEEDED 4. COMMUNICATE WITH THEM 5. PRAY FOR THEM W H A T C A N I D O T O P E R S O N A L L Y E N C O U R A G E T H E T H E W O M E N G O D H A S P L A C E D I N M Y L I F E ?

23. One Little Heartbeat At A Time You're up all night with a screaming baby You run all day at the speed of life And every day you feel a little bit less Like the beautiful woman you are CCLI Song # 4026013 Steven Curtis Chapman © 2003 Primary Wave Brian (Chapman Sp Acct) (Admin. by BMG Chrysalis US) Sparrow Song (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) CCLI License # 167320

24. So you fall in bed when you run out of hours And you wonder if anything worth Doing got done Well maybe you just don't know Or maybe you've forgotten

25. That you you are changing the world One little heartbeat at a time Making history with every touch And every smile Oh you you may not see it now But I believe that time will tell How you you are changing the world One little heartbeat at a time

26. With every, “I know you can do it” And every tear that you kiss away So many little things that seem To go unnoticed They're just like the drops of rain Over time they become a river

28. You're beautiful so beautiful How you're changing the world Yeah you're changing the world I believe that you you are Changing the world One little heartbeat at a time