The Power of Influence in Women of Faith Theological Reflection & Bible Study By Rev. Dr. Rosalyn R. Nichols move About Rev. Dr. Rosalyn Nichols Dr. Nichols is a native of Memphis, Tennessee and proud to have graduated with honors from the historic Booker T. Washington High School and LeMoyne Owen College. In May 1996 Dr. Nichols graduated summa cum laude from the Memphis Theological Seminary and in 2004 she received her Doctor of Ministry degree from the historically black Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia. Following the death of a childhood friend as a result of relationship/domestic violence in 1998, Dr. Nichols organized the 501(c)3 nonprofit, A More Excellent Way, Inc. (AWay) with a mission to help individuals from all walks of life to enter into, engage in and maintain spiritually healthy relationships toward the elimination of relationship violence. Dr. Nichols has focused her energy in helping faith communities regardless of faith tradition examine how to define, practice and preach what it means to love. Through AWay, Inc. Dr. Nichols travels nationally preaching and teaching the message of 1 John 4.18, there is no fear in love, there is a more excellent way to live. As is the case of many women in ministry, Dr. Nichols was the first in her family to answer the call to pastoral ministry and is among a handful of African American women in her region to organize a new church start from inception to sustainability. Freedom’s Chapel Christian Church (DOC) was birthed with a vision based upon John 8.36 So if the Son sets you free, you are free indeed! is now in its 18th year of life, committed to the belief that God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that is at work in us. Dr. Nichols was the first ordained clergy woman to serve as visiting professor at the Gweru Baptist Theological Seminary in Gweru, Zimbabwe South Africa. She travelled with a group of church planters throughout the provinces of China, and participated in a renewal pilgrimage to Galilee and Jerusalem. She has served as planning committee member and guest presenter at the first Conference on Sexuality and Covenant in Decatur, Georgia, hosted by the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and Mercer University. She is an advisor for Planned Parenthood of Greater Memphis and a recipient of the 2015 James Award. She is a founding member of the executive team of MICAH (Memphis Interfaith Coalition for Action and Hope) a coalition building organization committed to addressing inequity in city, county and state. From 2012-2018, she served as the Director of Advancement for Special Programs and adjunct professor at Memphis Theological Seminary, and went on to be named Executive Director for the Dr. Henry Logan Starks Institute on Faith, Race and Social Justice. In 2018, she formed AWay, LLC and serves as a consultant on the redevelopment project of the historical landmark, Clayborn Temple, Memphis, Tennessee. Dr. Nichols has received numerous awards, is a dynamic, passionate, community advocate, preacher, teacher and pastor who believes that freedom in Christ gives one the liberty to live and the responsibility to serve. 1 Contents The Power of Influence in Women of Faith ................................................................................. 3-4 Women of Faith ............................................................................................................................. 3 Disciples of Christ ......................................................................................................................... 3 Influenced to be Influential ......................................................................................................... 4 Achsah ~ Judges 1:11-15 .............................................................................................................. 5-8 Reflection…………………………………………………………………………………………….5-6 Biblical Reflection ...................................................................................................................... 6-7 Reflection Questions ................................................................................................................ …7 Reflections on Real Life Examples…………………………………………………………………..8 Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah ~ Numbers 27:1-9………………………………...9-13 Reflection…………………………………………………………………………………………..9-11 Biblical Reflection……………………………………………………………………………….11-12 Reflection Questions .................................................................................................................. 12 Reflections on Real Life Examples………………………………………………………………...13 The Woman at the Well ~ John 4:39-42 ................................................................................. 14-17 Reflection…. ................................................................................................................................ 14 Biblical Reflection……………………………………………………………………………….15-16 Reflection Questions………………………………………………………………………………..16 Reflections on Real Life Examples………………………………………………………………...17 Shiprah and Puah ~ Exodus 1:15-22 .................................................................................. ….18-20 Reflection………………………………………………………………………………………....18-19 Biblical Reflection ...................................................................................................................... 19 Reflection Questions………………………………………………………………………………..20 Reflections on Real Life Examples………………………………………………………………...20 This series of bible studies reflects contributions from a diverse group of women. Each is written to inspire discussion regarding women and their contributions both in biblical and current times. InFaith Community Foundation is grounded in the Christian Tradition of serving others. Rooted in a Christian faith that is welcoming, InFaith serves donors of many denominations, faith traditions and diverse theologies. We celebrate God’s grace and live out our faith through giving that creates positive, effective and lasting change throughout our shared community. 2 The Power of Influence in Women of Faith While it is true that the voices and stories of women of faith have historically been less visible, one need only look more intentionally to recognize the power of influence that women of faith demonstrate throughout scriptures. When they use their power of influence, they become agents of change in the building of wealth, community and peace. Women of Faith In the first Creation story of Genesis 1, we see that God created human beings, male and female, in God’s own image, and gave them both a mandate to be productive and a responsibility to manage all of Creation. Throughout scriptures, we find women managing and appropriating their sphere of influence to redeem and sustain their families, communities and their own lives. Women of faith influence the rights of women, the safety of their families and are essential agents in the creation of the beloved community. In Luke’s Gospel, the women who accompanied Jesus use their influence and resources to support a movement of change in both the darkness of the Crucifixion and the light of the Resurrection. These women hold a prominent place in history as the first to believe and to proclaim new life for the communities, restoring the rightful, equitable place of power for all women. They followed the Creator’s mandate to be productive and responsible for evangelizing the unfailing love of God found in Christ Jesus. That is the ultimate understanding of our responsibilities as Imago Dei in managing God’s Creation. Disciples of Christ “I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back.” Have we seriously considered what it truly means to follow Jesus in the day-to-day activities of our lives? If we truly follow the Gospel and the steps of Jesus, we will find ourselves among those who live on the margins of life. We will find ourselves uncomfortably close to conflict as we speak truth to powerful, challenging religious traditions. We will find ourselves called to wrestle with the uncomfortable in order to realize the potential we have to enact positive, bold change in our communities. To follow Jesus means to redefine what it means to be called good and faithful servants (Matthew 25.21-23). We are called to question a status quo that enslaves, devalues and casts out those who have the courage to risk it all by calling out systems of injustice. Discipleship requires more of us than simply singing pleasant hymns. Instead, it calls us to transform our words and beliefs into powerful action. 3 To examine women of faith in the Bible and how they manage their influence and their resources is to consider how they used their faith to transform their communities and see the ripple effect their decisions had on generations to come. Influenced to be Influential We all have those who look to us as role models, whether we realize it or not. These individuals seek out our advice and follow our lead. We are disciples who lead other disciples. We are and have always been co-creators with the God of all creation. As such, women of faith are uniquely called and challenged to hold scriptures in the light of the experiences of women and girls in order to reveal the legacies of faith and stewardship – from Eve to the daughters of Selophehad to the resourceful women of Jesus to Lydia of the New Testament. We are called to highlight scriptures that reconcile the virtuous woman to the woman with the alabaster jar. We are called to see