Five-Minute Study: Biblical Example Dorcas

GENTLENESS
Showing consideration and personal concern for others

BIBLICAL EXAMPLE - DORCAS Acts 9:36-42

In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas), {Both Tabitha (Aramaic) and Dorcas (Greek) mean gazelle.} who was always doing good and helping the poor. About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, "Please come at once!" Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them. Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, "Tabitha, get up." She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the believers and the widows and presented her to them alive. This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. (Acts 9:36-42 NIV)

This brief account is all we know about the gentlewoman remembered by us as Dorcas. We are given very few details of her life, but two of the most important are included. In the first place, she loved Jesus. That is seen in the fact that she is described as a “disciple.” Her love for Jesus is demonstrated by the second important detail of her life: that she was always doing good and helping the poor. She put her faith to work by showing consider-ation and personal concern for others. At least one of the particular ways in which she did this was to make clothing for the widows and others.

Dorcas’ life may have passed into obscurity had it not been for the fact that she died. God ordained that her death should occur at a time when Peter, the apostle of Jesus, was preaching near by. People were sent to bring Peter to the house where the woman had been laid out.

The widows who had been cared for by Dorcas showed Peter the garments Dorcas had made. This was Dorcas’s first legacy. Peter undoubtedly senses the pain that is in the room, because he does not inquire as to what is expected of him. Sending the people out of the room, Peter immediately hits his knees and begins to pray. His faith is strong, and there is no doubt in his prayer, because it is answered (See Matthew 21:21,22). He follows his prayer by ordering the woman to get up. He gently takes her hand, helps her to her feet, and Dorcas is revived and presented to her friends.

As a reward for her faithful consideration and concern for others, Dorcas is restored and apparently able to continue in her good works. Today, church circles that do service projects for others call themselves “Dorcas” groups or circles. That is another legacy of this gentlewoman. The greatest legacy, however, will be seen in the very last sentence of our passage: This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. These people will be part of Peter’s reward, because he was a willing servant to the Lord. But Dorcas is part of Peter’s ministry. When she receives her final reward, it will include the gratitude of many people whose lives were changed because she loved the Lord, and became so special in God’s sight that He used her death and resurrection to win others to Him.

GENTLENESS IN OUR LIVES -

Some practical evidences of gentleness we can see in our lives today are seen in the following “I will” statements:

I will show good manners.
I will reject violence as a solution to my problems.
I will look for ways to ease the pain of others.
I will not annoy or irritate others.
I will be a peacemaker.

Divide into pairs and discuss:

What hindrances in our lives keep us from practicing gentleness with our families, friends and colleagues? (Some possible answers: being caught up in our own concerns, being in a hurry, mistakenly believing harshness takes precedence over gentleness.)
How have others blessed us personally through their gentleness? (Examples: parents, siblings, teachers, friends, colleagues.)

GENTLENESS IN MY LIFE THIS WEEK—

Spend 2 minutes in personal reflection:

What will be your legacy of gentleness for the life you are now living?
Ask the Lord to show you 2 steps to take this week to grow in gentleness. Ask him to help you carry them out.
Ask a trusted friend to hold you accountable.