Empowered Kingdom Women: Embracing Strength and Purpose
Summary
### Summary
From the beginning, women have faced the challenge of managing everyone else's expectations. Jesus commands us to seek His kingdom first, and this is especially relevant for women today. Reflecting on a recent family trip to Turkey, I carried a heavy backpack filled with essentials for everyone, symbolizing the emotional weight women often bear. This weight is a crisis among women, driven by the lie that we must carry the world on our shoulders to be loved and accepted. Today, we kick off a new series, "Kingdom Woman," to explore the attributes and characteristics that every kingdom woman embodies, drawing inspiration from women in the Bible.
Women face numerous challenges, from mental health issues to work-life balance, health challenges, violence, and economic disparities. These challenges often lead women to either become Zola the Zealot, who fights against injustices but remains emotionally independent and isolated, or Debbie the Doormat, who loses her sense of self and worth. The enemy wants us to believe we are not loved or valued, but Jesus speaks a different word. Scripture, starting from Genesis, affirms that women are made in God's image, holding equal value and worth as men. Our differences are meant to complement and strengthen each other.
A kingdom woman lives under the authority of Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to honor God in every area of life. This definition helps us fight against the lies of the enemy. Personal stories, like my experience in Turkey where prayer brought immediate relief to my sick son, illustrate the power of living under Christ's authority and being empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Deborah, a prophetess and judge in the Bible, exemplifies a kingdom woman clothed in strength and dignity. Her leadership during a tumultuous time for Israel, her ability to delegate and engage when necessary, and her humility in giving glory to God, all highlight what it means to be a kingdom woman. Deborah's story teaches us to trust in God's plan, to lead with wisdom and poise, and to fight against pride by finding our worth in the Lord.
Being a kingdom woman often involves sacrifice and hardship, but it also brings supernatural peace and freedom. As we seek to live under Christ's authority and be empowered by the Holy Spirit, we can stand firm against the enemy's lies and live out our calling. God invites every woman to step into this vision, shedding the expectations of others and humbling ourselves before Him.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Emotional Weight Women Carry: Women often bear the emotional and logistical burdens of their families, symbolized by the heavy backpack I carried on our trip to Turkey. This weight can lead to a crisis where women believe they must meet everyone's expectations to be loved and accepted. Jesus calls us to seek His kingdom first, freeing us from these burdens. [01:26]
2. Challenges Women Face: Women face unique challenges, including mental health issues, work-life balance, health disparities, violence, and economic barriers. These challenges often push women towards extremes—either becoming emotionally independent and isolated or losing their sense of self and worth. Recognizing these challenges helps us understand the importance of living as kingdom women. [05:59]
3. Living Under Christ's Authority: A kingdom woman lives under the authority of Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to honor God in every area of life. This involves trusting God's plan, seeking His wisdom, and relying on His strength. Personal stories, like my experience with my sick son in Turkey, illustrate the power of prayer and the Holy Spirit in our lives. [15:22]
4. Deborah's Example: Deborah, a prophetess and judge, exemplifies a kingdom woman clothed in strength and dignity. Her leadership, wisdom, and humility in giving glory to God highlight the attributes we should strive for. Deborah's story teaches us to trust in God's plan, lead with poise, and fight against pride by finding our worth in the Lord. [22:57]
5. The Call to Be Kingdom Women: Being a kingdom woman often involves sacrifice and hardship, but it brings supernatural peace and freedom. God invites every woman to step into this vision, shedding the expectations of others and humbling ourselves before Him. As we seek to live under Christ's authority and be empowered by the Holy Spirit, we can stand firm against the enemy's lies and live out our calling. [30:44]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:26] - The Emotional Weight Women Carry
[05:59] - Challenges Women Face
[15:22] - Living Under Christ's Authority
[22:57] - Deborah's Example
[30:44] - The Call to Be Kingdom Women
[33:02] - Prayer and Closing
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. Proverbs 31:25-26 - "She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue."
3. Judges 4:4-9 - The story of Deborah, a prophetess and judge, who led Israel with strength and dignity.
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Genesis 1:27-28 tell us about the value and purpose of women in God's creation?
2. How does Proverbs 31:25-26 describe the attributes of a kingdom woman?
3. In Judges 4:4-9, what actions demonstrate Deborah's strength and leadership? [22:57]
4. According to the sermon, what are some of the unique challenges women face today? [05:59]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding that women are made in God's image (Genesis 1:27-28) impact the way we view gender roles and equality?
2. What can we learn from Deborah's example about balancing leadership and humility? [22:57]
3. How does the description of a kingdom woman in Proverbs 31:25-26 align with the challenges and expectations women face today? [21:25]
4. In what ways does living under Christ's authority and being empowered by the Holy Spirit help women combat the lies of the enemy? [15:22]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the emotional weight you carry in your daily life. What steps can you take to seek God's kingdom first and find freedom from these burdens? [01:26]
2. Identify a specific challenge you face as a woman (or that a woman in your life faces). How can you apply the principles of being a kingdom woman to this situation? [05:59]
3. Think about a time when you felt overwhelmed by expectations. How can you practice living under Christ's authority in similar situations in the future? [15:22]
4. Deborah's story shows the importance of both delegation and engagement. How can you better balance these aspects in your own leadership roles? [22:57]
5. What are some practical ways you can support and encourage the women in your life to live out their calling as kingdom women? [04:27]
6. Reflect on an area of your life where pride might be hindering your growth. How can you humble yourself before God and others to live more fully into your calling? [25:57]
7. How can you rely more on the Holy Spirit's power in your daily life, especially in moments of crisis or decision-making? Share a recent experience where you saw God's power at work. [18:09]
This guide aims to foster meaningful discussion and personal reflection on what it means to be a kingdom woman, drawing from biblical examples and the sermon’s insights.
Devotional
Day 1: The Emotional Weight Women Carry
Women often bear the emotional and logistical burdens of their families, symbolized by the heavy backpack carried on a trip to Turkey. This weight can lead to a crisis where women believe they must meet everyone's expectations to be loved and accepted. Jesus calls us to seek His kingdom first, freeing us from these burdens. The emotional weight women carry is a significant issue that can lead to feelings of inadequacy and exhaustion. However, Jesus offers a different way, inviting us to prioritize His kingdom and find rest in Him. By seeking His kingdom first, women can experience freedom from the unrealistic expectations placed upon them by society and themselves. [01:26]
Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV): "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Reflection: What are some of the emotional and logistical burdens you are carrying today? How can you seek Jesus' kingdom first and find rest in Him?
Day 2: Challenges Women Face
Women face unique challenges, including mental health issues, work-life balance, health disparities, violence, and economic barriers. These challenges often push women towards extremes—either becoming emotionally independent and isolated or losing their sense of self and worth. Recognizing these challenges helps us understand the importance of living as kingdom women. By acknowledging these struggles, we can better support one another and seek God's guidance in navigating them. Living as a kingdom woman means trusting in God's plan and relying on His strength to overcome these obstacles. [05:59]
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Reflection: What specific challenges are you facing today? How can you lean on God's strength and support from your community to navigate these challenges?
Day 3: Living Under Christ's Authority
A kingdom woman lives under the authority of Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to honor God in every area of life. This involves trusting God's plan, seeking His wisdom, and relying on His strength. Personal stories, like the experience with a sick son in Turkey, illustrate the power of prayer and the Holy Spirit in our lives. Living under Christ's authority means surrendering our own desires and plans to His will, allowing Him to guide and empower us in every aspect of our lives. [15:22]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to trust God's plan? How can you actively seek His wisdom and rely on His strength today?
Day 4: Deborah's Example
Deborah, a prophetess and judge, exemplifies a kingdom woman clothed in strength and dignity. Her leadership, wisdom, and humility in giving glory to God highlight the attributes we should strive for. Deborah's story teaches us to trust in God's plan, lead with poise, and fight against pride by finding our worth in the Lord. By following Deborah's example, we can learn to lead with wisdom and humility, always giving glory to God for our successes and relying on Him in times of difficulty. [22:57]
Judges 4:4-5 (ESV): "Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time. She used to sit under the palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the people of Israel came up to her for judgment."
Reflection: How can you incorporate Deborah's example of leadership, wisdom, and humility into your daily life? What steps can you take to give glory to God in all that you do?
Day 5: The Call to Be Kingdom Women
Being a kingdom woman often involves sacrifice and hardship, but it brings supernatural peace and freedom. God invites every woman to step into this vision, shedding the expectations of others and humbling ourselves before Him. As we seek to live under Christ's authority and be empowered by the Holy Spirit, we can stand firm against the enemy's lies and live out our calling. Embracing this call means letting go of societal expectations and finding our true worth and identity in Christ. [30:44]
1 Peter 5:6-7 (ESV): "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."
Reflection: What expectations from others are you holding onto that you need to release? How can you humble yourself before God and embrace your identity as a kingdom woman today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "There's a crisis happening among women today where we believe the lie that we should carry the weight of the world on our shoulders. We live and believe as if everything is dependent on us and that if we don't meet the expectations of others, then we won't be loved, we won't be enough, we'll be rejected." [02:56] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Women, you are made in the image of God. You reflect the Lord. It's a tremendous, tremendous, tremendous, tremendous, tremendous honor and a responsibility that we must steward well." [10:35] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Perhaps a more simple way to think about the power of the Holy Spirit is to be a kingdom woman is one who seeks God first above all other things in her life. Matthew 6, 33 says, but seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." [19:48] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "As kingdom women, we live in the midst of a fallen world, and we seek to usher in the kingdom of God through the freeing power of the Holy Spirit, pursuing God and his kingdom above all else." [30:44] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "God has so much more in store for you. So I say to all of the women listening today, God is inviting you to do the same. He's inviting each of you to seek to live as kingdom women. No matter how old you are, no matter what your relationship status might be, no matter how long you've been trying to follow Jesus, he's inviting you to be on this journey to pursue the life of a kingdom woman." [31:36] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "As a woman and as a mom, the backpack is a symbol of the emotional weight that I carry that others in the family don't even have to think about. I think about all the details of life to help things go smoothly or to preemptively combat anything that could potentially happen." [01:26] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "A kingdom woman is a woman who lives under the authority of Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to honor God in every area of life. It is through living out this definition that we have the power and ability to fight against the lies of the enemy and the darkness that tries to overtake us." [14:50] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Deborah's unwavering confidence and strength was ultimately in God's plan. As a kingdom woman, Deborah heard from the Lord then acted and responded accordingly. She didn't let her own agenda or her own opinions get in the way of what God was calling her to do." [24:24] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Being a kingdom woman is not always sexy or efficient or popular. It often looks like sacrifice and hardship. It can be messy and you are often misunderstood. But when you submit yourself to the authority of Christ, seeking God above all else, and you allow yourself to be empowered by the Spirit, then no matter what anyone else says or thinks about the things you are doing, God gives you supernatural peace and everything that you need and are meant to have is given to you." [29:14] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Finding our worth and value in the Lord above all else allows us to be authentically humble. And God can truly receive all glory for anything good in our lives. This is what it looks like to live into the kingdom vision of being a woman." [27:33] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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