Embracing Identity and Purpose as a Kingdom Woman

 

Summary

In this study, we explore the concept of a "kingdom woman," a woman who operates comprehensively under divine rule. This means that her identity is not defined by society, her history, or even her own self-perception, but by the rule of the King and His kingdom. This perspective is unique because it traces back to the beginning of creation when God made woman an equal participant in His kingdom initiative, not merely an add-on. Understanding this foundational truth allows women to see their significance throughout Scripture and in practical daily life.

God dreams a bigger dream for us than we can dream for ourselves. He sets a high bar, and our task is to discern how to achieve that based on His design for us. In the busyness of life, both men and women often struggle to grasp a comprehensive view of what God wants us to be. We become so fractured and exhausted that we fail to live in the fullness of God. When we do live in His fullness, our relationships and marriages flourish beautifully.

However, it's possible to be so consumed with doing good things that we miss God's kingdom. Like Martha, who was busy with tasks and missed Jesus, we can find ourselves doing all the right things yet not being close to God. Our value should not come from our activities but from abiding in Him. Scripture emphasizes the importance of being with God and abiding in Him, as this is the only way to bear fruit. If we are not connected to Him, we miss His direction and His best for us. Even good things can obstruct God's best, and we must remain connected to discern His will.

Key Takeaways:

1. Identity in the Kingdom: A kingdom woman finds her identity not in societal definitions or personal history but in the divine rule of God. This foundational truth empowers her to see her significance as an equal participant in God's kingdom initiative, tracing her value from creation through Scripture to daily life. [00:23]

2. God's Bigger Dream: God dreams a bigger dream for us than we can imagine, setting a high bar for our lives. Our challenge is to discern and achieve this dream based on His design for us, stepping back from the specifics to understand His broader vision. [01:18]

3. Living in Fullness: The hectic nature of life often prevents us from understanding God's comprehensive vision for us. By living in His fullness, our relationships and marriages can flourish, but we must avoid being so busy with good things that we miss His kingdom. [01:43]

4. The Danger of Busyness: Like Martha, we can be busy with good tasks and still miss Jesus. Our value should not come from our activities but from abiding in Him, as being with God is essential for bearing fruit and understanding His direction. [02:13]

5. Connection to God's Best: Good things can obstruct God's best if we are not connected to Him. Abiding in God allows us to discern His will and experience His best, emphasizing the importance of making time to connect with Him and follow His direction. [03:05]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:23] - Identity in the Kingdom
[00:51] - Equal Participants in God's Plan
[01:18] - God's Bigger Dream
[01:43] - Living in Fullness
[02:13] - The Danger of Busyness
[02:41] - Abiding in Him
[03:05] - Connection to God's Best

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Kingdom Woman

Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 1:27-28 - "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.'"
2. Luke 10:38-42 - The story of Martha and Mary, where Martha is busy with tasks and misses the opportunity to be with Jesus.

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Observation Questions:
1. How does Genesis 1:27-28 illustrate the concept of a "kingdom woman" as an equal participant in God's kingdom initiative? [00:51]
2. In the story of Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38-42), what was Martha's main focus, and how did it affect her relationship with Jesus? [02:13]
3. According to the sermon, what is the danger of being consumed with good tasks, and how does it relate to missing God's kingdom? [02:13]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the source of a kingdom woman's identity and value? [00:23]

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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of being created in God's image (Genesis 1:27-28) influence the understanding of a woman's role in God's kingdom? [00:51]
2. What does the story of Martha and Mary teach about the importance of prioritizing time with Jesus over tasks? How does this relate to the sermon’s message about abiding in God? [02:41]
3. How can the idea that "God dreams a bigger dream for us" challenge individuals to rethink their personal goals and aspirations? [01:18]
4. In what ways can good activities become obstacles to experiencing God's best, according to the sermon? [03:05]

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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current activities and commitments. Are there any "good" things that might be distracting you from abiding in God? How can you adjust your priorities this week? [02:13]
2. Consider the concept of a "kingdom woman" finding her identity in God's rule. How can you begin to shift your self-perception from societal definitions to divine definitions? [00:23]
3. What steps can you take to ensure that you are living in the fullness of God, especially in your relationships and marriage? [01:43]
4. Identify a specific area in your life where you feel God is setting a high bar for you. What practical steps can you take to align with His dream for you? [01:18]
5. How can you create more space in your daily routine to abide in God and seek His direction? What might you need to let go of to make this possible? [02:41]
6. Think of a time when you were busy with tasks and missed an opportunity to connect with God or others. What can you learn from that experience, and how can you respond differently in the future? [02:13]
7. How can you encourage others in your community to find their identity and value in God's kingdom rather than societal expectations? What role can you play in supporting them? [00:23]

Devotional

Day 1: Identity Defined by Divine Rule
A kingdom woman finds her identity not in societal definitions or personal history but in the divine rule of God. This foundational truth empowers her to see her significance as an equal participant in God's kingdom initiative, tracing her value from creation through Scripture to daily life. Understanding this allows women to break free from the constraints of societal expectations and personal limitations, embracing a God-given identity that is rooted in His eternal purpose. This perspective is liberating and transformative, offering a new lens through which to view oneself and one's role in the world. [00:23]

"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." (Genesis 1:27, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways have you allowed societal expectations to define your identity? How can you begin to embrace your identity as defined by God's kingdom today?


Day 2: Embracing God's Bigger Dream
God dreams a bigger dream for us than we can imagine, setting a high bar for our lives. Our challenge is to discern and achieve this dream based on His design for us, stepping back from the specifics to understand His broader vision. This requires a shift in focus from our limited understanding to God's expansive plan, trusting that His dreams for us are far greater than anything we could envision. By aligning our desires with His, we open ourselves to a life of purpose and fulfillment that transcends our own ambitions. [01:18]

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to trust God's bigger dream over your own plans? How can you take a step towards aligning with His vision today?


Day 3: Living in the Fullness of God
The hectic nature of life often prevents us from understanding God's comprehensive vision for us. By living in His fullness, our relationships and marriages can flourish, but we must avoid being so busy with good things that we miss His kingdom. This involves prioritizing our spiritual health and making intentional choices to remain connected to God, even amidst life's demands. When we live in His fullness, we experience a depth of joy and peace that permeates every aspect of our lives, allowing us to thrive in our relationships and endeavors. [01:43]

"And you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority." (Colossians 2:10, ESV)

Reflection: How can you create space in your daily routine to ensure you are living in the fullness of God? What practical steps can you take to prioritize your spiritual health?


Day 4: The Danger of Busyness
Like Martha, we can be busy with good tasks and still miss Jesus. Our value should not come from our activities but from abiding in Him, as being with God is essential for bearing fruit and understanding His direction. This requires a conscious effort to slow down and focus on being present with God, rather than being consumed by the demands of life. By prioritizing our relationship with Him, we find true fulfillment and direction, allowing us to engage in activities that align with His will. [02:13]

"But the Lord answered her, 'Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.'" (Luke 10:41-42, ESV)

Reflection: What are some activities in your life that may be distracting you from being present with God? How can you refocus your priorities to ensure you are abiding in Him?


Day 5: Connection to God's Best
Good things can obstruct God's best if we are not connected to Him. Abiding in God allows us to discern His will and experience His best, emphasizing the importance of making time to connect with Him and follow His direction. This involves a commitment to seeking His presence and guidance in all areas of life, trusting that His plans are for our ultimate good. By staying connected to God, we open ourselves to His blessings and the fulfillment of His promises, experiencing the abundant life He desires for us. [03:05]

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me." (John 15:4, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific way you can strengthen your connection with God this week? How can this help you discern and experience His best for your life?

Quotes

"Because what we're saying is a kingdom woman, like a kingdom man, is a woman who is operating comprehensively under divine rule, which means society is no longer defining her, her history and background are no longer her basic definition, even she's not her ultimate self-definition. It is the rule of the King and His kingdom and what that looks like." [00:00:07]

"And the reason why this makes it unique is that we can go all the way back to the beginning when God created man and woman and made her an equal participant in His kingdom initiative in history and not an add-on or an addendum. And I think when you go back to the beginning and she sees her significance and can trace that all the way through not only Scripture but the practical application of Scripture in our daily life, that will bring a uniqueness to the study that I think is typically not in most studies." [00:00:37]

"Yeah, looking at the book, looking at the study, all of it, it says one thing to me, and that is that God can dream a bigger dream than I can dream for myself, in every aspect and in every way. Seeing that He has set a really high bar for me, and my job is to figure out how do I achieve that. How do I achieve that based on who He's designed me to be." [00:01:08]

"And I think we kind of get, we drill down into these specifics of what a woman should be in certain situations, and I think it's a great time to take a step back and look at from a real broad perspective what is God saying for me, what is the dream that He's dreaming for me, what does He want me to do." [00:01:28]

"I think it's so difficult again with all the hecticness of life for both men and women today to understand a comprehensive view of what God wants me to be, because we're so fractured we're so tired, we're so exhausted that we're not really living in the fullness of God. And when we do, it works so beautifully. You know, marriages and relationships." [00:01:44]

"A lot of it's just good stuff we're doing. It's not like it's all bad. We can see something wrong or sinful and call it that, but what happens when you're doing so much good that you're out of the will of God? Wow. That you're doing all the right things, and you are not even close to God because you've missed His kingdom while doing stuff." [00:02:05]

"Yeah. And so it's like Martha. She was doing a bunch of stuff, and she was missing Jesus. So many women have to be disappointed in that exchange, right? Cause you get your value out of what you're doing. You're cooking for everybody, you know, and now it's time to do the dishes. 'Hey Lord, you know, can you get Mary to get in here and—'" [00:02:24]

"Wow, that had to be disappointing. She thought she was doing the right thing. Yeah, well He values us being. He speaks so highly in the Scripture about us abiding, in being with Him, and how if we're not attached, we're not gonna bear fruit. And if we're not making the time to do that and get connected with the direction that He has for us, then we're missing the point." [00:02:44]

"Good things can even get in the way of God's best. And we're not gonna know His best if we're not connected to know what he's telling us to do." [00:03:01]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?