Series: Woman, the leader that God wants you to be.

Session 1.- Principles applied to them.

 Biblical quotation: Titus 2:3-4

Podcast # 311  

"...that they may teach what is good, that they may instruct the young women to..." love their husbands and children.

In the context of the text: the very example of godliness gives the older women the right and the credibility to instruct the younger women of the church. Older women should model the virtues about which they preach and teach.

Now we will talk about being a : Leader of women

Working in women's ministry is a battle, it is demanding and the stakes are high. We hear from women's leaders across the country who are in need of encouragement and advice to better serve the women under their influence. We want to encourage you to continue, because the rewards of changed lives make it worth the cost and effort it takes. 

Imagine a sign that reads: Teachers of Good Wanted,

Débora Cázares de Rivera in its article of Femininity,tells us about mentoring.

She got married at 24, and a few months before her wedding she had a conversation with a 23-year-old girl, and she asked her, "Why are you getting married at 24? I'm only a year younger than you and I feel like a baby." She was at the time in a dating relationship of 7 years. Her comment was confusing, how can a 23 year old feel like a baby and at the same time be in a dating relationship for 7 years? 

That same day, among them, was another 38 year old woman who had two children of 8 and 10 years old. She was the "ideal" woman that the 21st century paints us, she dressed very well and upon seeing her it was easy to notice that, to dress like that, you must have a job of at least 8 hours a day. That was her case, which meant not being at home with her children. With that in mind I asked her: "Have you ever considered quitting your job to stay at home?". Her immediate, no-brainer answer was "No," with a tone that indicated to me that she wondered how I could even think of asking that question, and she continued, "I love my job!” 

She and other women advised to consider postponing the date of the wedding. They told her to travel with her friends, to study, to meet people and enjoy her bachelorhood. When they knew her decision was made, now the advice was to take care of themselves, not to have children soon because they were young, they should enjoy their marriage. She was sincere, so much bombardment was overwhelming! 

Sister, have you ever made any of these comments or thought this way, she is not against traveling, having friends or meeting people; the problem is when this "advice" is not even filtered in the light of the Word and is rather put above any woman. 

So, what should be the advice and example for the women who come after us?

Remember the following: Titus 2:3-4

"...that they may teach what is good, that they may instruct the young women to..." love their husbands and children.

Paul is going to give instruction as to what should be the characteristics of a godly woman who, in turn, will be an example to the young women, and he says:

Older women should be:

• Reverent in their conduct
• Not slanderers
• Not slaves of wine 

Then he speaks of what these women should teach the young women, and says: let them teach what is good so that they may instruct the young women to:

• Love their husbands
• Love their children
• To be prudent
• To be pure
• To be industrious in the home
• To be kind
• Be submissive to their husbands

Paul is calling every woman to live this to teach it also to the young women. Here is the leadership.

It is vitally important to teach from the Word of God what it means to love our husbands and children and what it means to be wise, pure, gentle and caring for a home. In order to teach this, it is even more important that we spend time with the Lord in His Word and in prayer to get to know our Creator.

Mary Kassian says, "The designer of a product is the one who knows the product best. The designer is the one who knows how and why it was made, how to put it together and how it works." If we are intentional about spending time looking at the manual the Designer has left us, we will get to know him. We will also know what He created us for, what affected the initial design and how it is being perfected in each of those who have acknowledged Him as Lord until His return, thanks to the sacrifice of His Son on the cross. 

 Deborah goes on to comment: Unfortunately there were few women who, upon learning that I was about to get married, spoke to me about the importance of loving my husband and taking care of my home. I now understand that in order to love and embrace these truths that characterize a true woman, one must understand that there is also a motivation that drives us to fulfill and therefore teach this design.

Remember the following: Titus 2:5b

"...that the word of God may not be mocked".

This is our driving force! As believers we should desire that the Word of God not be mocked. We want to be teachers of good to other young women out of love for the God who has transformed us and in this way present ourselves together as approved workers who have nothing to be ashamed of but have accurately shown the Word, the gospel of truth to those around us.2 Tim. 2:15). 

We must be intentional in showing and teaching biblical womanhood, which, as Mary Kassian says, "...is a really critical issue because it has to do with our identity and who God created us to be." As believers we have died to ourselves and now our life is in God.Col. 3:3we have a new identity and we should not get carried away by the philosophies of the world.

What advice are you giving to the young women around you? Beloved sister, the women you mention at the beginning, call themselves Christians (except for the one who at 23 felt like a baby). And while they meant well in sharing their comments with her, their advice was not biblical at all. You know what I was thinking? Pure feminism, i.e., freedom (in the world), independence (outside of God), autonomy (no need for God).

Deborah, wishes that her perspective as a young wife has been helpful to you today young woman. She prays that the Spirit of the Lord will work in you so that you will be that wise woman who builds up other young women in the faith.

Finally we summarize that a woman leader after God's own heart is a noble, worthy and honorable ambition, and what motivates people to seek leadership is a deep love for Christ and a genuine concern for the church.

Let us pray

As Christians we are called to develop the talents that God has given us and to make the most of our lives, and to develop to the maximum the powers and abilities that God has given us.

Have a great week.

This program was translated by Andrea Calixto Alvarez.

"Radiant Women" is an outreach ministry of "Leydi Campos Canadian Women Foundation. Inc.”