For the Ladies

Ever since my husband really began trying to understand his roles as a man, specifically according to what the Bible says, I have found myself longing for the counterpart teaching for women. Much of my husband’s recent understanding of manhood has come from a few teachings* that emphasize that a man is first: a Christian, second: a husband, third: a father, fourth: an employee, and fifth: a minister. Within our many discussions about these roles of men and the order in which they’re to be lived out, we have also discussed what the Bible says about the roles of women and the order the women’s roles are to be lived out. As we have talked and read Scripture and studied, my conclusion has been that the counterpart women’s roles are first: a Christian, second: a wife, third: a mother, fourth: a homebuilder, and fifth: a minister. (Note: The homebuilder role also encompasses possible employment a woman may have, but more on that later.)

After seeing these clearly represented in Scripture and talking extensively with my husband about each of these roles for women, I shared with him that I longed for some solid teaching on these things. It seemed I couldn’t find this clearly and succinctly taught in a practical way. So my husband suggested I just share what I found, rather than waiting to find a teaching that holistically represented these concepts.

Over the next few weeks, my intention is to share my findings about womanhood according to the Bible. While I am not an expert in my own life on any one of these areas, I do feel like the Scripture speaks very clearly about the importance and order of each of these roles. Because the Scripture reveals truth and reality as God set it up, I will be using Scripture as the foundation to the various roles we’ll be looking at (all Scripture will be from the ESV, unless otherwise noted). I am also working on a Bible study series for some friends on the roles of woman. Your input on these posts (questions, thoughts, comments, etc.) would be very much appreciated as I prepare the study. You can expect posts on each of the following:

Christian – Looking at the Gospel and at Yourself as a Follower of Jesus

Wife – A Threefold Role: Helper, Lover, Follower

Mother – Two Key Elements: Loving and Training

Homebuilder – The Call and The Application

Minister – Home and Beyond


* The following sermons have shaped much of my husband and my understanding of the roles of men:

“Marriage, Ministry, and Mistakes,” Mark Driscoll, Acts 29: Seattle Boot Camp, 2010. To listen, click here.

“Marriage and Men,” Mark Driscoll, Mars Hill Church: Seattle, March 22, 2009. To listen, click here.