Women's Ministries
Compiled from Teachings of John MacArthur, Jr.
By
Fred Barshaw
Grace Community Church
13248 Roscoe Blvd.
Sun Valley, California 91352
I. Philosophy of Women's Ministries
A. "A woman is not born a woman. Nor does she become one when she marries a man, bears a child and does their dirty linen. Not even when she joins a women's liberation movement. A woman becomes a woman when she becomes what God wants her to be." ["Learning to be a Woman" (IVP), Kenneth G. and Floy Smith]
A proper women's ministry frees a woman to be all God wants her to be: a Godly woman. "She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy." [Proverbs 31:20] [NIV] ". . . and let her works bring her praise at the city gate." [Proverbs 31:31] [NIV]
B. "It is curious how lost mankind so often moves to hurt itself. Surely this is the case in the (United) States, where women's insistence on equal rights, in a poor sense, has brought them to the position of having fewer and fewer men who are men. And then the cycle continues and the women are hungry and hurt." [Dr. Francis Schaeffer]
C. "God has given to women great talents and abilities. Their intelligence is equal to men, their stamina and emotional endurance often greater. He does not want women to bury their capabilities. But He wants to channel them. A wife's primary responsibility is to give of herself, her time and her energy to her husband, children and home. This does not mean that women cannot have responsible positions of leadership and still be in God's plan." ["The Christian Family," Larry Christian]
A proper women's ministry enables a woman, single or married, to establish priorities by channeling her capabilities and providing a setting for her leadership. "I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God." [1Corinthians 11:3] [NIV] For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; neither was man created for woman, but woman for man." [1 Corinthians 11:8-9] [NIV]
D. "Jesus Christ opened the privileges of religious faith equally to men and women. He gave His message publicly and privately to women as well as men. The frequent and prominent mention of women in the Gospels is in itself noteworthy by contrast with their status in Judaism. Christ gladly received their public testimony. There can be no doubt as that regards to spiritual privilege, Jesus considered the two sexes equal. As regards to spiritual activity, there is a difference between that of men and women." ["Role of Women in the Church," Dr. Charles Ryrie]
"Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers." [1 Peter 3:7] [NIV]
A proper women's ministry provides a necessary and God-instituted sphere of spiritual activity for women of all ages. "So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander." [1Timothy 5:14] Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God." [Titus 2:3-5] [NIV]
II. The Scriptural Purposes of Women's Ministry
NOTE: The term aged or mature encompasses both the chronological age and the spiritual level of maturity. Older and spiritually mature women are to pass on the benefit of their experiences to others who are younger and/or less mature spiritually.
HOWEVER, This in no way prohibits spiritually mature younger women from also teaching and sharing and leading by both precept and example.
A. Paul's letter to Titus establishes both the role and the responsibility for women:
To teach by precept (the word) and example:
1. Holy or pure behavior
2. Not gossips or liars (false accusers)
3. Not given to strong drink
4. Teachers of good
B. In Romans 16:1, Paul indicates that women possibly serve or minister as Deacons (Diakonon) in the church. Then in I Timothy he sets forth the qualifications for a Deaconess.
1. Dignified
2. Not a gossip
3. Self-controlled (temperate)
4. Faithful
5. Have a reputation for good works
6. Have well-behaved and faithful children
7. Hospitable
8. Served well in the church (washed the saint's feet and served the sick and needy)
C. To meet needs of women that men, by nature of their masculinity cannot meet.
1. To teach womanly things
2. To counsel other women
3. To share one another's burdens
D. To Glorify God
1. By freeing women from men's duties
2. By removing conflict created by such improper delineation
3. By allowing women to fulfill their proper, challenging roles
"So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander." [1Timothy 5:14] [NIV]
III. Content of a Women's Ministry
A. Older women are to teach the younger
1. By example
2. Through instruction...
to be temperate
to be sensible
to love their husbands
to be discreet (pure in action)
to be chaste (pure in thought)
to be keepers at home (priorities)
to be good (kind and tender)
to be obedient to their own husbands
3. The rewards of Godly conduct and proper role establishment
"Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good." [Titus 2:3] [NIV]
B. Women are to teach principles and practical application of doctrine
C. Women are to teach children
"I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also." [2 Timothy 1:5] [NIV]
"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." [2 Timothy 2:15] [NIV]
IV. How to Initiate and Maintain a Women's Ministry
A. Allow the spirit to raise up the right woman to head up the women's ministry
1. If the church is sincerely dedicated to the ministry, the Lord will raise up the right woman.
B. Through personal contact and/or written survey, define what the women's needs and interests are. (i.e., marriage roles, service, Bible study, etc.)
C. Start with a Bible study at church or in someone's home
1. Select a course of study appropriate to the needs of the women in your own local assembly
2. Suggested studies and/or literature to help get you started, i.e.,
"Learning to be a Woman," K.G. & Floy Smith IVP
"Two Become One," J. Allan Peterson, Tyndale
"MS. Means Myself," Gladys Hunt, Zondervan
"Hinds Feet on High Places," Hannah Hurnard, Artype
"Caring Enough to Confront," David Augsburger, Regal
"Knowledge of the Holy," A. W. Tozer
"The Christian Family," Larry Christenson
"The Marriage Affair," J. Allen Peterson, Tyndale
"So You Want to Start A Women's Group," Jo Berry, Word of Grace
D. Start from the beginning to develop other women as teachers or leaders to also instruct, counsel, disciple (one-on-one), lead service projects, etc.
The whole key to this program's success is the continual development of leadership which in turn multiplies the effect and extent of the program.
E. Supplemental Activities Which Can Be Added:
1. Prayer Groups
2. Bible Study groups
3. Assessment and application of spiritual gifts
4. Retreats
5. Outreach Programs: Juvenile Hall, Jail Ministries, Convalescent Homes, Hospitals, etc.
"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised." [Proverbs 31:30] [NIV]
"Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate." [Proverbs 31:31] [NIV]
Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "MacArthur's Collection" by:
Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
Box 119
Columbus, New Jersey, USA, 08022
Our websites: www.biblebb.com and
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Email: tony@biblebb.com
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