Women in Ministry

Follow Along with the Message

 Click here to submit question to the Women in Ministry Question and Response session after the service.

Jesus modeled a revolutionary approach to women in ministry that transcends cultural limitations, calling the church to embrace God's original design where both men and women serve as equal participants in advancing His kingdom.

Point 1: God's Original Design - Partnership in Paradise

Genesis 1:26–28 NLT- Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.”

So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”

Genesis 2:18 NLT- Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.”

Psalm 121:1–2 NLT- I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!

We must distinguish between descriptive passages and prescriptive ones.

Point 2: Jesus' Revolutionary Example

• First, look at John 4—the woman at the well. 

John 4:29 NLT- “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?”

• Second, consider Mary of Bethany in Luke 10:38-42

Luke 10:38–42 NLT- As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”

But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

• Third, look at Luke 8:1-3

Luke 8:1–3 NLT- Soon afterward Jesus began a tour of the nearby towns and villages, preaching and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom of God. He took his twelve disciples with him, along with some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases. Among them were Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons; Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s business manager; Susanna; and many others who were contributing from their own resources to support Jesus and his disciples.

Matthew 28:5-10 tells us that the angel said to the women,

Matthew 28:5–10 NLT- Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead…

Mary Magdalene doesn't just see the risen Jesus; she's commissioned by Him in John 20:17-18

John 20:17–18 NLT- “Don’t cling to me,” Jesus said, “for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father. But go find my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ”

Mary Magdalene found the disciples and told them, “I have seen the Lord!” Then she gave them his message.

Point 3: Understanding Difficult Passages in Context

1 Timothy 2:8–15 NLT- In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.

And I want women to be modest in their appearance. They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes. For women who claim to be devoted to God should make themselves attractive by the good things they do.

Women should learn quietly and submissively. I do not let women teach men or have authority over them. Let them listen quietly. For God made Adam first, and afterward he made Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived by Satan. The woman was deceived, and sin was the result. But women will be saved through childbearing, assuming they continue to live in faith, love, holiness, and modesty.

1 Timothy 2:11–12 NLT- Women should learn quietly and submissively. I do not let women teach men or have authority over them. Let them listen quietly.

The word translated "authority" is "authenteo."

The word translated "quiet" is "hesuchia," which doesn't mean complete silence.

1 Timothy 2:15 NLT- But women will be saved through childbearing, assuming they continue to live in faith, love, holiness, and modesty.

Romans 16:1 NLT- I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a deacon in the church in Cenchrea.

Romans 16:7 NLT- Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews, who were in prison with me. They are highly respected among the apostles and became followers of Christ before I did.

Point 4: Biblical Examples of Women in Leadership

Miriam was a prophet and leader who led Israel in worship after the Red Sea crossing (Exodus 15:20-21).

Deborah was a prophet, judge, and military commander who led Israel to victory against their enemies (Judges 4-5). When Barak refused to go to battle without her, she didn't hesitate to lead.

Huldah was the prophet that King Josiah consulted when the Book of the Law was found. Not Jeremiah, not any of the male prophets—Huldah (2 Kings 22:14).

Esther used her position of influence to save the Jewish people.

Lydia was a businesswoman who became the first European convert and opened her home as a church (Acts 16:14-15).

Priscilla taught Apollos, correcting his understanding of the gospel (Acts 18:26). Notice that Luke mentions Priscilla's name first, suggesting she took the lead in this teaching ministry.

Philip's four daughters were all prophets (Acts 21:9).

Phoebe was a deacon whom Paul trusted to carry his letter to the Romans—arguably the most important theological document in the New Testament (Romans 16:1).

Point 5: The Church's Call Today

First, we must stop limiting God's gifts. 

Second, we must follow Jesus' model, not cultural traditions. 

Third, we must have the courage to ask hard questions. 

Revelation 7:9–10 NLT- After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting with a great roar,

“Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!”

Acts 17:11 NLT- And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.

2 Timothy 2:15 NLT- Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.