Both Sarah and I have just recently begun taking a course on How to Start Your Own Business. Taught by Mrs. Crystal Paine, it will guide us through foundational principles and instruct us in the steps needed to turn our business ideas into reality. So far it has been good, and we are looking forward to learning more during the next 6 weeks. It's been interesting reading the stories and ideas of the 30 young women participating (we are all set up on a yahoo group and receive our lessons over email). One of our first assignments was to write a short essay on what we believe is the role of women. Below is what I wrote:
The Biblical Role of Women
God's Word speaks clearly to us about His plan for women, and we as Christian women especially must not allow today's culture to affect our thinking on how to live out our lives. We who have trusted Him for our salvation must also learn to believe what He tells us about His purposes for women and how we are to best bring honor to His name.
Scripture reveals from the very beginning that woman was created to be a helper (Genesis 2:18). Adam needed a companion to help him fulfill the calling God had given him, and the Lord designed Eve to complement him. Her role was to serve and support him so that he, and thus they together, could carry out the mission the Lord had laid before them.
God also established that the man would be the head, or authority, of the woman (Genesis 3:16, 1 Corinthians 11:3). A godly woman will joyfully rather than grudgingly submit to those who have been placed in authority over her because this is the way God intends to give the world a picture of our relationship with Christ (Ephesians 5:24). She will turn her attention to assisting the ones who are there to guide and protect her rather than pursuing her own individual agenda. The Bible describes this meek, submissive attitude as being an adornment to women of God. Those who have this willing heart are considered priceless in God's eyes.
A woman's special domain is the home. The married woman "does her husband good" by diligently using her energies to care well for the household and is wise and well-prepared for all that her responsibilities require of her (Proverbs 31). Godly older women are told to train younger women how to be "keepers at home" (Titus 2:5). This heart for the home and devotion to her family should be cultivated even while a girl is still in her father's household. In addition to carrying out the necessary tasks of a household, women are to be lovers of their husbands and children. Psalm 128, telling of a family who fears the Lord, speaks of a fruitful wife with her children surrounding her, content "in the innermost parts of her house." She is busy nurturing and raising up her children with the "teaching of kindness on her tongue" (Proverbs 31:26).
While the Proverbs 31 woman's main focus is on her home and family, from her home she also reaches out towards others, meeting their needs, extending hospitality to saints and strangers, and relieving burdens. She has a reputation of good works (Proverbs 31:20, I Timothy 5:10, Romans 16:1-2). A godly woman is a great asset to the body of Christ when she seeks to fulfill her God-given role.
Whether an unmarried daughter or a wife, a woman's duty is to serve God whole-heartedly by faithfully ministering to her family and others.
~Hannah
Sounds like a neat class, Hannah. I'd love to hear about your business plans! :)
Posted by: Bet | Tuesday, September 13, 2005 at 05:10 PM
I appreciated getting to read your beautiful essay on the "Biblical Role of Women", Hannah. Your sister Sarah commented on my daughter's blog, thus leading me to "Mountain Musings." What a nice family website! I will return often. :)
Posted by: Mrs. Keith Hayden | Wednesday, September 14, 2005 at 08:46 AM
Keep on being a "keeper", Hannah!! The Lord will bless you for it!!
Posted by: Courtney | Wednesday, September 14, 2005 at 11:13 AM
Aunt Bet, maybe I will try explaining some of my plans in a future post...:)
Mrs. Hayden, thank you for stopping by! I'm glad the article was a blessing.
Courtney, thanks for the encouragement from a fellow "keeper!"
Posted by: hannah | Wednesday, September 14, 2005 at 09:56 PM