Topics for Women's Ministry

A strong women's ministry can provide great stability and momentum for a local church. The Gallup polling organization notes, "A mountain of Gallup survey data attests to the idea that women are more religious than men, hold their beliefs more firmly, practice their faith more consistently and work more vigorously for the congregation." A strong women's ministry that deals with topics relevant to today's women will attract new members to the church.

The Bible defines clearly the role of husband and wife in texts such as Ephesians 5:22-33 and 1 Peter 3:1-7. Husbands are challenged to love their wives in a Christ-like manner with the admonition that doing so will enhance the efficacy of their prayers. Wives are challenged to respect and submit to their husbands with the encouragement that such behavior can become so influential that even a husband who does not know the Lord may be moved to receive Christ. How to apply these truths to modern marriage provides a great topic for teaching.

The Apostle Paul wrote to his protege Titus, in Titus 2:3-5, that the older women are to teach the younger women. The subject matter of their exhortation is to include "to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good" and "obedient to their own husbands." Discussing any one of these admonitions and how it may be applied today will make for interesting discussion. As in all things, the balance of the Bible's voice on a subject and good reason must be brought to bear.

Solomon describes the traits of a virtuous wife in Proverbs 31:10-31. This woman provides for the domestic needs of her family and is also a woman of commerce, as verse 16 states, "She considers a field and buys it." This chapter of the Bible will also cast light onto the topics mentioned in Section 2. It demonstrates a woman's calling but also broadens the horizons of her purview and lends itself to discussion of a woman's place in today's modern society.

The examples of Moses' mother, Jochebed, and Hannah, the mother of the prophet Samuel, both demonstrate the power of a mom's prayers. These examples are found in Exodus 3 and 1 Samuel 1, respectively. Moses' mother entrusted her son to God's care and protection, and he rose to great prominence. Samuel's mother was barren, but prayed that God would give her a son and promised if he did she would "lend him to the Lord." Samuel was born, and she followed through. He became one of the nation's greatest prophets. These biblical examples can form the basis for encouraging discussion and teaching.

Single women may be encouraged that their service and ministry can be focused and powerful. This can be done by considering 1 Corinthians 7:7-9, 28-35. There, Paul notes that the single person can devote undivided attention to serving God. Reminding the women of this and discussing it can help to elevate the role of the single ladies and make them recognize the important role they can play in the church.