94. Honouring the Women in our Lives like Jesus did

This week, Sarah reflects on Mother’s Day in Aotearoa through the story of Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38–42) inspired by Faye Molen’s Bible Study from the Raise Your Voice Bible study resource. We are invited us to follow Jesus by making room—honouring the women in our lives, listening well, and choosing Christ-centred ways to challenge assumptions that silence or sideline women.

Reflection Questions

• When you hear the Mary & Martha story, what do you usually assume it’s saying? What shifts if you read it as a story of discipleship and invitation for women?
• If Martha’s unspoken question is “Jesus, are you okay with this?”, where are you asking that same question today—about who gets space, voice, influence, or access? What do you sense Jesus might be saying
• Where are you “worried and distracted by many things” right now? What’s one small, concrete way you can choose “the one thing necessary” this week (a time, a place, a practice)?
• Where do you feel pressure to perform—especially in caring roles (mothering, hosting, serving, leading)? What might it look like to receive Jesus’ gentleness instead of striving?
• Who are the “Marys” in your world—women who need space, opportunity, or encouragement to learn, lead, and grow? Name one practical action you can take this week to make room (invite, amplify, recommend, include, support).
• Where do you notice androcentric assumptions (men at the centre) shaping your context—home, workplace, church, or the way you read Scripture? How do your own background, culture, or whakapapa shape what you assume is “normal”? What would a Christ-centred alternative look like in one real situation this week?
• What are you passing on to the next generation about women and discipleship—through your jokes, your language, your expectations, and who you platform? What’s one thing you want to stop modelling, and one thing you want to start?
• Is Mother’s Day easy or complicated for you this year? Take a moment to name what’s true for you (gratitude, grief, anger, joy, numbness). What do you want to ask Jesus for today?

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