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Written by Wendy Neill, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas

When Jesus was on the earth, His pattern was to go from town to town, teach people about the Kingdom of God, and back it up with the authority to heal and do miracles. His ministry bore abundant fruit as people believed, repented, and followed Him.

But Jesus knew His time on earth was short. Part of His bearing fruit was to teach others to do the same. John Mark Comer, in his book Practicing the Way, points out that Jesus used the same methods as other rabbis of His time. He chose His disciples, had them be with Him, become like Him, then do as He did. As apprentices to Jesus, these are the same steps we should follow. We must spend time in His presence, become like Him in the way we live, and do as He did. Only then can we bear fruit.

In Matthew 10, the time had come for the Twelve to advance to the last phase: doing as He did. Jesus told them to go throughout Israel and gave these instructions:

As you go, proclaim this message: 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. (Mt 10:7-8 NIV)

In the parallel passage in Luke 9, it says “So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere” (Lk 9:6). In Mark 6, we read, “They went out and preached that people should repent” (Mk 6:12). The disciples were not sent with a different message than Jesus preached. Likewise, if we want to bear fruit today, our message remains the same:

1. We have good news!
2. The Kingdom of God is near.
3. Repent: turn away from sin and toward God.

We also find out in Mark’s account that Jesus sent them two by two. God knows our fruit bearing is maximized when we help one another, especially since we will face persecution. Jesus doesn’t sugarcoat it. He warns the Twelve that they will be “like sheep among wolves,” that some will not welcome them or listen, that they will be hated, and that some of them will even be arrested and flogged (Mt 10:16-22). But in verses 26-31, He reiterates three times, “do not be afraid.” He backs that up with a promise: "Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven” (Mt 10:32).

Do you find yourself scared to share your faith? Let this story remind you of a few important things:

1. Learning to share your faith is easier with a buddy.
2. You will probably get pushback, and it might be severe.
3. Don’t be afraid.
4. Jesus will welcome you to Heaven if you acknowledge Him before men.

In Luke 10, Jesus expands His team beyond the Twelve.

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. (Lk 10:1-2)

Their job was to prepare people’s hearts to accept Jesus when He came to them, and to ask God for even more workers to glean the harvest of souls. The sending of the 72 shows that fruit bearing was never meant to belong only to the apostles. Jesus widened the circle. More workers were needed because the harvest was—and still is—plentiful.

Jesus intentionally multiplied His ministry by preparing disciples and sending them out. First came the Twelve, then the 72, and eventually all believers who would carry the gospel to the world. The same invitation remains for us today. As we spend time with Jesus, become more like Him, and step out in faith to do as He did, He can use us to prepare hearts, share the good news, and gather a harvest for His Kingdom. The harvest is still plentiful.

How might God be asking you to bear fruit by sharing the Good News with someone in your family, neighborhood, or community?

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Written by Betânia Sousa, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Belo Jardim, Pernambuco, Brazil

When we think of the early church, we often think of the numbers, the miracles, and the rapid growth. But the book of Acts reveals something even deeper: the fruit was not born from the structure, but from transformation. Before impacting the world, the church was profoundly transformed by the Holy Spirit.

In Acts 2, after the outpouring of the Spirit, we see a community marked by perseverance, fellowship, and simplicity of heart. They “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Ac 2:42 NIV). The fruit began within the heart, and then manifested itself outwardly. It was not a faith limited to the temple, but lived in homes, in relationships, and in caring for one another.

This transformation challenges us as women of faith. Many of us serve, care for, and support homes and ministries, but sometimes we do so without allowing God to transform deep areas of our lives. The early church teaches us that there is no true fruit without a transformed life. Bearing fruit is not about doing more; it's about allowing God to be more in us.

Another remarkable aspect of Acts is the transformation of fear into boldness. The disciples were ordinary people, without social recognition, but filled with the Spirit. “They took note that these men had been with Jesus” (Ac 4:13). The Spirit not only changed their behavior; He changed their identity and posture before the world.

How many women today carry old traumas, insecurities, and wounds that try to stifle their calling? The early church flourished because it did not remain paralyzed by fear. They prayed, were filled again with the Spirit, and proclaimed the Word with courage (Ac 4:31). When God transforms the inner self, boldness naturally blossoms.

Acts also teaches us that trials can be instruments of fruitfulness. The persecution that arose after Stephen's death seemed like a defeat, but it became expansion: "Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went" (Ac 8:4). What seemed like a disruption became a seed.

This truth comforts women facing loss, unexpected changes, or difficult seasons. Not all pain is a sign of the end; some are paths God uses to lead us to bear fruit in new places. Transformation doesn't remove all pain, but gives it meaning.

This month's theme, "Our purpose to bear fruit," finds a clear path in Acts: fruit is the result of a life surrendered to the Spirit. It doesn't come from comparison, haste, or spiritual performance. It comes from daily obedience, sincere fellowship, and hearts open to being molded.

The early church bore fruit because it allowed God to transform its way of life, its relationships, and its response to adversity. The same Spirit that worked in Acts continues to work today, transforming ordinary women into living witnesses of grace.

May our desire be not only to produce visible results, but to live in such a way that fruit is inevitable. After all, the church and each woman who composes it only fulfill their purpose when they allow God to transform them first.

The church that bears fruit is the one that accepts being transformed by God every day.