Changing the narrative for women in the Bible In my previous post, August 2025, I discussed reframing the narrative or shifting our perspective on Martha and Mary. I would like to continue this month with the story of Martha and other women we find in the New Testament. Last month, we concentrated on the firstContinue reading “Reframe the Narrative – Shift your Perspective”
Tag Archives: Disciple
The Lives and Times of Women in the New Testament- Part 2
Marriage, Sexuality and Childbirth Welcome to part 2 of my series on the lives and times of women in the New Testament. In part 1, I examined women in a patriarchal society, and this time we will look at women’s everyday lives in terms of marriage, sexuality and children. Life was tough and disease wasContinue reading “The Lives and Times of Women in the New Testament- Part 2”
The Lives and Times of New Testament Women
Part 1 – Women’s lives in a patriarchal society “So many women with a love for Jesus. You have brought their stories to life! Wonderful.” One of the most frequent comments about my writing and blogs has been that they bring the Bible to life. Showing how the women and men lived within their communitiesContinue reading “The Lives and Times of New Testament Women”
Jesus’ female disciples
What springs to your mind when you hear of Jesus’ disciples? If you are like me, you grew up with the image of Jesus surrounded by the twelve disciples, all men, following him along the dusty roads from village to village. But is this image correct or was there more to it? Before we lookContinue reading “Jesus’ female disciples”
Jesus’ Engagement with Women
How can we tell what a person thinks of you? We sense this not only by what they say but how they act towards us. Nonverbal communication is as important, is not more than verbal. Examining how a person interacts with you supports, or even contradicts, what they say. People’s lives in first-century Judea couldContinue reading “Jesus’ Engagement with Women”
Priscilla and Aquila – When is teaching not teaching?
Welcome to the third of my blogs in the series on how Women (also) Built The Church. So far we have looked at Junia and Andronicus, this time, its the turn of another power couple mentioned in the New Testament, Priscilla and Aquila. I recently spoke at a church meeting on a Thursday afternoon aboutContinue reading “Priscilla and Aquila – When is teaching not teaching?”
Mary Magdalene in Art – Fallen Woman or Redeemed Saint
Mary Magdalene, Jesus’s disciple and follower, called the Apostle to the Apostles and held in high esteem by the early church has for the last fifteen hundred years in the West been remembered with a different reputation. So often reduced to a stereotype of the prostitute and fallen woman, her character defamation is reinforced byContinue reading “Mary Magdalene in Art – Fallen Woman or Redeemed Saint”
Aemilia Metella Interviews Tabitha – part 2
Even death could not stop her If you have not already done so, read part 1 of Aemilia’s interview here (https://leavingbethany.com/2023/01/10/aemilia-metella-interviews-tabitha-part-1/). She left us with the ultimate cliffhanger, so read on to see what happened next. “Yes, the day I died,” Tabitha said. “That still seems strange to say.” Melia took my hand and ledContinue reading “Aemilia Metella Interviews Tabitha – part 2”
Aemilia Metella Interviews Tabitha – Part 1
The woman they could not keep down Three women jumped up and down on the jetty and waved in my direction. I looked around at the other passengers on the ship and none of them waved back, so I supposed they were for me. I picked up my bag and walked down the gangplank ontoContinue reading “Aemilia Metella Interviews Tabitha – Part 1”
Aemilia Metella interviews Mary Magdalene
My guide led me through the narrow congested streets of Jerusalem. He led me to a backstreet and a building with a staircase at the side. I followed him up the steps and into a room which was much larger than I imagined. Several people moved around, some talking, others praying and a group laughingContinue reading “Aemilia Metella interviews Mary Magdalene”
Leaving Bethany 