Empowering Women: A Biblical Perspective on Leadership

Summary

Today’s exploration centered on the question: Does the Bible limit women? This is a topic that stirs up a range of emotions and memories, and it’s one that has shaped not only church history but also many of our personal stories. Growing up, I witnessed both the gifts and the limitations placed on women in ministry, and my own journey has been marked by learning, unlearning, and seeing God’s hand in expanding the roles of women in the church. We looked at how the Bible has been interpreted in different ways—sometimes to restrict, sometimes to liberate—and how our understanding must be shaped by careful study, humility, and a willingness to let God’s Spirit lead us beyond our comfort zones.

We discussed two key principles for reading Scripture: redemptive movement and authorial intent. Redemptive movement recognizes that God’s work in history is progressive—what starts as restrictive often becomes more inclusive as the story unfolds. Authorial intent reminds us that the Bible was written for us, but not to us; understanding the original context is crucial. When we examine passages like Ephesians 5 and 1 Timothy 2, often used to limit women, we see that Paul was addressing specific cultural and theological challenges of his day, not laying down universal, timeless prohibitions. In fact, Paul’s ministry was marked by partnership with women leaders—Priscilla, Phoebe, Junia—who played vital roles in the early church.

The Bible, when read responsibly, consistently elevates women beyond their cultural moment. God’s blueprint for the church is one of partnership, not hierarchy. Throughout history, women have led, taught, and shaped the faith, often in the face of resistance. The story of Catherine Booth, co-founder of the Salvation Army, is just one example of a woman who refused to sit down when God called her to stand up. The real question is not whether women can lead, but whether we will follow when they do.

At Menlo, we are committed to an egalitarian vision—men and women, equally called, gifted, and empowered at every level of leadership. This is not a concession or a compromise, but a conviction rooted in the heart of the gospel. For those who feel discomfort, I invite you to examine where that comes from and to do the hard work of studying Scripture for yourself. For women who have been told to sit down, know that you are called, gifted, and needed. The church is better because of you. Let’s be a community that lives out the radical vision of Jesus, where all are co-laborers in bringing hope to the world.

Key Takeaways

- Redemptive movement in Scripture shows God’s progressive work to elevate women beyond their cultural limitations. What may seem restrictive in one era is often a step forward from what came before, and the arc of the biblical story bends toward greater inclusion and partnership. This invites us to read the Bible with an eye for God’s unfolding vision, not just static rules. [48:04]

- Authorial intent is essential for understanding difficult passages. Paul’s instructions about women in places like 1 Timothy were responses to specific cultural and theological issues, not universal bans. Recognizing the original audience and context helps us avoid misusing Scripture to perpetuate injustice or exclusion. [43:30]

- The early church was marked by women in significant leadership roles, despite prevailing cultural norms. Paul’s ministry included and celebrated women like Priscilla, Phoebe, and Junia, demonstrating that the gospel breaks down barriers and calls all believers to serve according to their gifts. This is not just a historical footnote, but a model for the church today. [46:20]

- Tradition and comfort can masquerade as conviction, but true faith is willing to be challenged and changed by the Spirit. Many of us resist change not because of deep theological conviction, but because of long-held habits or cultural expectations. God’s Spirit invites us to examine our hearts and to support the leadership of women as an act of faithfulness. [59:53]

- Women have always been central to God’s story, from the Old Testament to the present. Whether it’s Deborah, Esther, Mary, or Catherine Booth, God has used women to lead, teach, and bring hope. The church needs the gifts and leadership of women, and each of us is called to encourage and empower them to step into God’s calling. [56:15]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Series Introduction: Inspired and Uncomfortable
[03:45] - Addressing Difficult Topics and Diversity
[06:20] - Personal Story: Women in My Life and Ministry
[10:30] - Complementarianism vs. Egalitarianism Explained
[15:00] - Hermeneutical Principles: Context, Prescription, and Description
[19:40] - Redemptive Movement and Authorial Intent
[24:30] - Examining Ephesians 5: Submission and Mutuality
[28:50] - 1 Timothy 2: Context and Cultural Background
[34:07] - Paul’s Ministry with Women Leaders
[40:26] - The Bible’s Elevation of Women
[46:20] - Ecclesiology and Church Leadership at Menlo
[52:51] - Addressing Discomfort and Tradition
[56:15] - Women in God’s Story: Biblical and Modern Examples
[57:39] - Catherine Booth and the Salvation Army
[59:53] - Challenging Comfort and Supporting Women’s Leadership
[01:02:10] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
[01:03:49] - Dismissal and Next Steps

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Does the Bible Limit Women?

---

### Bible Reading

- Ephesians 5:21-25
(Mutual submission and instructions to husbands and wives)
- 1 Timothy 2:11-15
(Paul’s instructions about women learning and teaching)
- Galatians 3:26-28
(“There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”)

---

### Observation Questions

1. In Ephesians 5, what command does Paul give to all believers before he addresses wives and husbands? How does this set the tone for the rest of the passage?
[[40:26]]

2. According to 1 Timothy 2, what specific instructions does Paul give regarding women in the Ephesian church? What cultural background does the sermon say influenced these instructions?
[[43:30]]

3. In Galatians 3:28, what does Paul say about distinctions between people in Christ? How does this relate to the idea of hierarchy in the church?
[[46:20]]

4. The sermon mentions several women who played key roles in the early church and the Old Testament. Who are some of these women, and what did they do?
[[56:15]]

---

### Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon introduces the idea of “redemptive movement” in Scripture. What does this mean, and how does it help us understand passages that seem restrictive toward women?
[[48:04]]

2. How does understanding “authorial intent” change the way we read difficult passages like 1 Timothy 2? Why is it important to know the original audience and context?
[[43:30]]

3. The sermon says that Paul’s ministry included and celebrated women leaders like Priscilla, Phoebe, and Junia. What does this suggest about the roles women can have in the church today?
[[46:20]]

4. The speaker challenges the idea that tradition and comfort are the same as conviction. How might someone’s upbringing or church background affect their view of women in leadership?
[[59:53]]

---

### Application Questions

1. The sermon invites us to examine our own discomfort with women in leadership. If you feel uneasy about this topic, where do you think that feeling comes from—tradition, personal experience, or something else? What would it look like to “do the hard work of studying Scripture for yourself” on this issue?
[[59:53]]

2. For women in the group: Have you ever felt called, gifted, or prompted by God to lead, but were told (directly or indirectly) to “sit down”? How did that experience affect you? What would it mean for you to “stand up” in response to God’s calling?
[[01:00:38]]

3. For men in the group: The sermon suggests asking a woman you trust about where she feels called to lead and finding a way to support her. Who could you ask this week, and what practical step could you take to encourage her?
[[01:01:30]]

4. The sermon highlights the importance of reading the Bible with an eye for God’s unfolding vision, not just static rules. Is there a passage or belief you’ve held that you now see differently because of context or redemptive movement? How did your perspective change?
[[48:04]]

5. The story of Catherine Booth shows someone who refused to sit down when God called her to stand up. Is there an area in your life where you sense God calling you to step out, even if it’s uncomfortable or goes against tradition? What’s holding you back?
[[57:39]]

6. The sermon says, “The real question is not whether women can lead, but whether we will follow when they do.” How can you personally support and follow women in leadership in your church, workplace, or community?
[[58:35]]

7. The speaker describes Menlo’s commitment to an egalitarian vision as “not a concession or a compromise, but a conviction rooted in the heart of the gospel.” How does this conviction challenge or encourage you? What next step could you take to live out this vision in your own circles?
[[52:51]]

---

Closing Thought:
Let’s pray for courage to follow God’s calling—wherever it leads—and to be a community that truly lives out the radical vision of Jesus, where all are co-laborers in bringing hope to the world.

Devotional

Day 1: Mutual Submission and Honor in Christ
The call to mutual submission in Christian relationships is not about enforcing hierarchy but about reflecting Christ’s love and humility toward one another. In Ephesians, Paul’s instruction for wives and husbands is often misunderstood when read in isolation, but the surrounding context reveals a vision of mutual honor and sacrificial love. Both men and women are called to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ, and husbands are commanded to love their wives as Christ loved the church—selflessly and sacrificially. This mutuality is a radical departure from the cultural norms of Paul’s day, inviting all believers to embody Christ’s example in their relationships. [40:26]

Ephesians 5:21-25 (ESV)
21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. 22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. 25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,

Reflection: In what relationship this week can you intentionally practice mutual submission and honor, especially where it feels most challenging or countercultural?


Day 2: Context Matters—Understanding Difficult Passages About Women
Some passages in the Bible, like Paul’s words in 1 Timothy, have been used to silence women, but understanding the context and authorial intent reveals a different story. Paul’s instruction for women to learn quietly was actually a liberating step in a culture where women were often denied theological education. His temporary restriction was a pastoral response to a specific situation in Ephesus, not a universal, timeless command. When we read scripture with an eye for context, we see God’s heart to equip and empower all believers, regardless of gender, for ministry and leadership. [43:30]

1 Timothy 2:11-12 (ESV)
11 Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.

Reflection: Where have you accepted a surface-level interpretation of scripture without considering its context, and how might a deeper study change your perspective on a difficult passage?


Day 3: The Gospel Erases Hierarchy, Not Distinction
In Christ, the old divisions of status, ethnicity, and gender are transformed—not erased, but made equal in value and dignity. Paul’s declaration in Galatians is not just a sentiment but a seismic shift: in Jesus, there is no hierarchy between male and female, slave and free, Jew and Greek. This truth calls the church to reflect God’s original design, where all are co-heirs and co-laborers in the mission of God. The church is invited to move beyond cultural limitations and embrace the full participation of every believer in God’s work. [46:20]

Galatians 3:28 (ESV)
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Reflection: What is one way you can affirm the equal value and calling of someone who is different from you in background, gender, or status this week?


Day 4: God Consistently Elevates Women Beyond Their Cultural Moment
Throughout scripture, God consistently lifts women beyond the limitations of their culture, entrusting them with leadership, influence, and vital roles in His redemptive story. From Deborah and Huldah in the Old Testament to Priscilla, Phoebe, and Junia in the New, the Bible’s blueprint reveals God’s vision for partnership and equality. Even when the culture said “stay quiet,” God said “speak up.” The church is called to recognize and celebrate the gifts and leadership of women as part of God’s ongoing work in the world. [56:15]

Judges 4:4-5 (ESV)
4 Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time. 5 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: Who is a woman in your life or community whose leadership or voice you can encourage or support this week, and how will you do it?


Day 5: Responding to God’s Call—Standing Up When Called
When God calls, gender is never a barrier; the real question is whether we will follow when He leads through unexpected voices. The story of Catherine Booth and countless women in scripture and history reminds us that God’s Spirit breaks through tradition and comfort, inviting all believers to stand up and lead when called. If you have felt overlooked or discouraged because of your gender, know that you are called, gifted, and needed in God’s mission. The church flourishes when everyone responds to God’s call with courage and faith. [58:35]

Acts 2:17-18 (ESV)
17 “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; 18 even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.

Reflection: Is there a step of faith or leadership God is prompting you to take, but you’ve hesitated because of tradition or fear? What would it look like to say “yes” to God’s call today?

Quotes

Egalitarian is where men and women are understood to not only be equal in dignity, value, and worth, but also co -laborers in every level of leadership, from pastors to elders to teachers. We aim to remove any barriers that might otherwise be brought because of gender. [00:38:16] (00:00:21 seconds)  #EqualPartnersInMinistry Edit Clip

Paul is not advocating exactly what your marriage needs to look like, who should do the dishes, or who should make that decision, or who should fulfill that responsibility. No, no, no. What he's doing is he's showing a principle that we talked about around redemptive movement last week in his hermeneutic. [00:42:42] (00:00:16 seconds)  #RedemptiveMovementPrinciple Edit Clip

At Menlo, we have female elders. They're awesome. We regularly welcome female teachers, female pastors. Every area of training and responsibility is offered to men and women. So if that's a closed handed issue for you, and for some of you, you're discovering this today for the first time. We believe clarity is kindness. I want to just let you know. [00:52:51] (00:00:20 seconds)  #InclusiveChurchLeadership Edit Clip

But when we read the Bible's treatment of women, it's like walking through a construction site with the architect's blueprint in your hand. You might see scaffolding, temporary walls, partially built rooms, but the blueprint reveals the ultimate vision, a full partnership and equality in the work of ministry. [00:55:11] (00:00:22 seconds)  #BlueprintForEquality Edit Clip

If someone's ever told you to sit down when God was telling you to stand up, or maybe you felt this pull to leadership and it's made you feel more guarded and guilty than grateful. If you've wondered like, is there a place for me? Let me be clear. There is right here, not as a concession or a compromise and not with conditions because you're a woman. You are called, gifted. And if you're a follower of Jesus, you have the spirit of God inside of you. The church needs you. We love you. We will follow Jesus better because of you. [01:01:04] (00:00:35 seconds)  #CalledGiftedAndNeeded Edit Clip