dorcas

Dorcas (or Tabitha) was a woman who “was always doing good and helping the poor” in her city of Joppa. When she died, everyone was very sad, and they called Peter to come to her house. When Peter arrived, all the widows were crying and showing the clothing that Dorcas had made for them. Peter sent all of them out of the room and then, by the power of God, made Dorcas come back to life.

Bible verses used in this episode:

• Acts 9:36-43
• Galatians 6:10

Outline:

1. Dorcas dies (Acts 9:36-37)
2. Peter raises Dorcas (Acts 9:38-41)
3. Many in Joppa believe in Jesus (Acts 9:42-43)

Tips for teaching children:

•  Find the cities of Joppa and Lydda on Google Maps.  These are in the area of modern-day Tel-Aviv, Israel.  Joppa is now Jaffa and Lydda is now Lod.
• For a craft, sew something.  Make it simple, like sewing a button onto fabric.
• Visit a facility that provides clothing to people in need. 
• Collect used clothing to donate.

Tips for teaching adults:

• Message everyone before class (give them plenty of time) and ask them to bring a clothing item someone had made – something knitted, sewn or crocheted.  It could be a dress someone, a cardigan or sweater, someone knitted or a pair of booties someone crocheted for them as a baby.  Any piece of clothing will do. During the class, ask the members to show their clothing items and explain why each is special to them.  Share the story if there is a story connected to it. After this, talk about the story in Acts 9 and the importance of leaving a good legacy to be remembered.
• Challenge the class with these questions: “How do you want to be remembered?”  and “What are you doing to be remembered this way?”

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  Dorcas is Raised from the Dead 

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org

In this Bible Story, we witness the righteous anger of Jesus. During the Passover, corrupt money-changers and religious leaders exploit people’s desire to worship. So Jesus fashions a whip and drives them out. This story is inspired by John 2:13-23, John 3: 1-21, Numbers 21:4-9. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.

Today's Bible verse is John 2:15 from the King James Version.

Episode 178: As Jesus entered the temple gates during Passover, His eyes were open to the corruption of that sacred place. Where there should have been awe and a sense of holiness, a marketplace existed. Instead of forgiveness, the religious leaders were requiring fees. Jesus could not stand this happening in God’s temple, so He drove out the buyers, sellers, and the money changers! The temple priests challenged Him on this but Jesus did not falter. Later that evening though, one of the Pharisees came to Him to know more about who He was and what He came to do.

Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world’s greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.

Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.

Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.

This episode is sponsored by Medi-Share, an innovative health care solution for Christians to save money without sacrificing quality.

Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.

Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max Bard

Producer: Ben Gammon

Hosted by: Pastor Jack Graham

Music by: Andrew Morgan Smith

Bible Story narration by: Todd Haberkorn

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this Bible Story, we see the work of God through Peter. One man is restored from being crippled for eight years. Another is dead and raised to life. In this, we see the will of God moving people out of their beds into a life of purpose. This story is inspired by Acts 9:32-43. Go to https://www.BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.

Today's Bible verse is Acts 9:34 from the King James Version.

Episode 224: Peter, walking the streets of Lydda preaching the Gospel to all who would listen, came to a man named Aeneas. Aeneas had been bedridden for eight years but God had sent Peter there to heal him. And at a word, Aeneas was healed and God used this healing to bring many people to Him. Meanwhile, in Joppa, a disciple named Tabitha became ill and died. Her friends sent for Peter at once and when he arrived he took Tabitha by the hand and told her to arise. God restored life to Tabitha’s body and many people celebrated God’s goodness with her.

Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world’s greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.

Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.

Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.

This episode is sponsored by Medi-Share, an innovative health care solution for Christians to save money without sacrificing quality.

Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.

Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max Bard

Producer: Ben Gammon

Hosted by: Pastor Jack Graham

Music by: Andrew Morgan Smith

Bible Story narration by: Todd Haberkorn

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ACTES 9, 36-43

36 Il y avait aussi à Jaffa une femme disciple du Seigneur, nommée Tabitha, ce qui se traduit : Dorcas (c’est-à-dire : Gazelle). Elle était riche des bonnes œuvres et des aumônes qu’elle faisait.

37 Or, il arriva en ces jours-là qu’elle tomba malade et qu’elle mourut. Après la toilette funèbre, on la déposa dans la chambre haute.

38 Comme Lod est près de Jaffa, les disciples, apprenant que Pierre s’y trouvait, lui envoyèrent deux hommes avec cet appel : « Viens chez nous sans tarder. »

39 Pierre se mit en route avec eux. À son arrivée on le fit monter à la chambre haute. Toutes les veuves en larmes s’approchèrent de lui ; elles lui montraient les tuniques et les manteaux confectionnés par Dorcas quand celle-ci était avec elles.

40 Pierre mit tout le monde dehors ; il se mit à genoux et pria ; puis il se tourna vers le corps, et il dit : « Tabitha, lève-toi ! » Elle ouvrit les yeux et, voyant Pierre, elle se redressa et s’assit.

41 Pierre, lui donnant la main, la fit lever. Puis il appela les fidèles et les veuves et la leur présenta vivante.

42 La chose fut connue dans toute la ville de Jaffa, et beaucoup crurent au Seigneur.

43 Pierre resta assez longtemps à Jaffa, chez un certain Simon, qui travaillait le cuir.

Premier

Like, Paul and Lydia and Ananias and Tabitha and the women at the river outside the city gates, and the widows in Joppa, we welcome each other in to the life of Resurrection.  In Christ, we experience Resurrection in depth of belonging – in hospitality and tender mercy – embodied in community – embodied in us.

Issues Covered In This Episode:

"Suprema, the Deadliest of the Species!" - Captain America #123, written by Stan Lee, art by Gene Colan and Joe Sinnott, ©1969 Marvel Comics

"The Man Who Killed Tony Stark!!" - Iron Man #23, written by Archie Goodwin, art by George Tuska and Joe Gaudioso (Mike Esposito), ©1969 Marvel Comics

"The Coming of... Orka!" - Sub-Mariner #23, written by Roy Thomas, art by Marie Severin and Johnny Craig, ©1969 Marvel Comics

"Trapped -- By the Trio of Doom!" - Daredevil #61, written by Roy Thomas, art by Gene Colan and Syd Shores, ©1969 Marvel Comics

"... And Now, the Absorbing Man!" - Incredible Hulk #125, written by Roy Thomas, art by Herb Trimpe, ©1969 Marvel Comics

"The Mad Thinker and His Androids of Death!" - Fantastic Four #96, by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby w/Frank Giacoia, ©1969 Marvel Comics

"Ulik Unleashed!" - Thor #173, by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby w/Bill Everettt, ©1969 Marvel Comics

"Marvel by the Month" theme v. 2.0 by Robb Milne, sung by Barb Allen, with bass by Ryan ‘Biff’ Dudder. All incidental music by Robb Milne. Visit us on internet at marvelbythemonth.com, follow us on Instagram at @marvelbythemonth and support us on Patreon at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth.

We all go through difficult times in life. How do we hold on to the faith when we are struggling? There are no easy answers - but this passage from Acts 9 gives us three principles to work with

Ni ĉiuj travivas malfacilajn tempojn en la vivo. Kiel ni konservas la fidon kiam la vivo estas lukto?

Ni ĉiuj travivas malfacilajn tempojn en la vivo. Kiel ni konservas la fidon kiam la vivo estas lukto?

Acts 9:36-37 At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. NKJV.

And she died.

The death of Dorcas, the old Christian Gazelle, had a profound impact upon the community in which she lived. So much so, that the Saints decided that they would go and fetch an apostle to see what could be done! Peter and his entourage later arrive and enter the room of the deathbed scene, only to find it packed with people, all ‘a-weeping and a-wailing,’ and each one probably clutching their garment and saying, “Look! She made this for me. Sat up all night she did, God bless ‘er,” And maybe another, with one hand on Peter's shoulder and the other carrying a cloak, well cared for and neatly draped across her arm, saying, “Look. She went without food for a week to buy me this, then tailored the cloth to fit my old round shoulders.”  Followed undoubtedly by another, and yet another, all full of testimonies, and all clothed and warm, each one pointing and praising, all weeping and watching just what Peter might do for them. So, Peter raises Dorcas from the dead and presents her to them alive. It seems that her most necessary of serving and sewing days were apparently still not over. Now, I don’t know if Dorcas was happy about this turn of events, but all who loved her and had benefited from her full life of good deeds toward them for the glory of God, well, I am sure that they were ecstatic!

My mother died two years before I became a Christian. Whilst serving in HMS Collingwood down in Portsmouth, that old, great trading sea-port,  I was given the number of a Brigadier in the Salvation Army, a retired old woman whom I had never met. I rang the number, introduced myself, and was immediately told, “Ah yes, I met your mum before she died and led her to the Lord. Don’t worry, she’s with Jesus now.” I tell you, that  I was stunned! How did this happen, and how had I not known about it? The old woman that had given me the number to call was my former next-door neighbour during all my adolescent years. A grand old gal called Olive Hinchcliffe, a former tambourine basher herself, a Captain I think? 

My old mum was a hard worker, but bless her heart, she couldn’t sew for toffee, so it was this lady who lived next door to us who had for years, sewn up the holes in my trousers, altered the leg-length on my school uniforms, bought me white shirts to wear for school and the most amazing textbooks to take with me to school at the beginning of each new term. For years she had prayed for us, and for me especially, and for years had drip, drip, drip watered the parched and hard-heart of my old mum's soul. When my mother's sponge-like nicotine filled lungs had eventually provided a comfortable bed for lung cancer to spread itself and lie upon,  the hardness of her heart had been so softened over the years by Olive's good works, that it was easy for her to introduce her Brigadier friend to my mother’s own deathbed scene.  Look now, for Olive Hinchcliffe had never shared the Gospel with me or my mother, but her good works and prayers brought my mum and me both into the Kingdom of the Saviour that she loved most dearly, and honoured most profoundly. Of course, the Gospel was preached, but it was Olive by her good works who had made a way for its entrance.

In Joppa, that other old, and great trading seaport,  another old woman, FULL of good works had drip, drip, drip watered the hearts of many people in the city. When Peter arrived and raised Dorcas from the dead and shared the source of such power with such parched hearts now most thoroughly moistened by the good works of Dorcas, then the rain of God was absorbed and life sprang anew, the tale of whi

A sermon for Oxford Baptist Church on the Fourth Sunday of Easter.