Welcome back for Week 3: Sugar & Spice in our discussion through the 8 week Bible Study in True Woman 101: Divine Design by Nancy Leigh Demoss & Mary Kassian. If you’ve missed out on previous weeks, you can find them here. We had a smaller group this week in our live discussion, but we enjoyed such sweet fellowship and encouragement, so feel free to tune in through our live audio recording.
Follow this link: True Woman 101: Week 3 Audio.
Here is the panel discussion for Week 3:
If you cannot view the video, click here.
Since my notes were covered thoroughly in the live discussion which you can listen to above, I will just copy a few notes and thoughts below.
This week, we took a closer look in how God created women to image how the church relates to Christ, with distinct qualities of softness, an ability to form deep relationship bonds, possessing a receptive, responsive spirit, creating a place to nurture life, and be a valuable helper to men. These qualities are at the core of what it means to walk according to God’s design for us as women.
Genesis 2:23 - In the Hebrew, we learn that the name for man is “ish”, which comes from the root meaning “strength”, while his name for woman is “ishshah”, which comes from the root meaning “soft”.
Our culture encourages women to be strong, aggressive, bold, loud, opinionated, stubborn, and independent. This is quite the opposite of God’s design. God designed women to be soft, nurturers, comforters, gentle and meek in spirit and demeanor. This means we are soft towards, soft towards the Word, the Truth, towards our husbands, towards our children.
Genesis 2:18-20, 1 Cor 11:8-9
By using the terms “for him” repeatedly in these phrases, we get a glimpse that God created us to be highly relationship beings. The woman is inherently relational. She was created “for someone” She is also the “glory of man” meaning that she is “one who shows the excellence of”. The creation of women fully confirmed the excellence of both male and female creations in the beginning.
“Women being created ‘for’ man reminds us that the church-bride was created ‘for’ Jesus Christ. A woman’s pull toward romance and relationships is a picture of every person’s need to connect with Him.” (Psalms 42:1-2)
Titus 2:4-5, 1 Tim. 5:14, Prov. 31:27 – What is one of the top priorities of a godly woman as we see in these passages? The Lord created man out in the field that he would one day work, whereas the woman was created within the boundaries of the garden – the “home” where God had placed her husband. This is fascinating since Scripture indicates that managing the household is a woman’s distinct sphere of responsibility.
How can we as women look well to the ways of our household?
Every women, young or old, single or married, is designed to be a nurturer. She is designed to offer a welcoming, hospitable nature in all she does. We can look well to the ways of our households by seeking to keep it running smoothly and organized. Cultivating it by seeking to make sure those in her care are well fed and thriving both physically, emotionally, and spiritually, as she is growing tender plants in the garden of her home. She seeks to make it a place of comfort, rest, and refreshment for her family and those who enter through her doors.
The mothering and nesting hormones that God created within women indicate that creating a place to beget and nurture life is at the core of what it means to be a woman.
How can married women welcome, beget, and nurture life? How can single women nurture life?
I love how she emphasizes that creating a home is not just about checking off tasks on to do lists or filling a home with possessions, or healthy food preparation – it’s ultimately about people. That should be at the center of our attention. Are we truly aware of how the souls in our care are doing? It’s about creating an orderly, stable, and comforting environment where these souls can thrive, communicate, be discipled, and blossom. It’s about welcoming other in. It’s about community. That is what we are specifically equipped to do. We can create a place that beautifully foreshadows the welcome believers will receive in heave. A place that beckons them “home”.
“Men were created to reflect the strength, love and self-sacrifice of Christ. Women were created to reflect the responsiveness, grace, and beauty of the bride He would one day redeem.”
This week, we’ve considered several elements that are at the heart of what it means to be a woman:
- Softness
- Forming deep relational bonds
- Having a welcoming, responsive spirit
- Creating a place to beget and nurture life
- Being a helper
Which of these do you find the most challenging or difficult? What practical step will you take this week to grow in this area?
Personally, I feel a great lack in the softness area, especially as it relates to addressing my children. So often my tone of voice is rude and negative, communicating to my children that they are more of a burden than a blessing. I may not yell but it is not particularly gracious either. I really want to grow in speaking more gracious, gentle, kind and tenderly towards my children, as I realize more that this is my design and purpose. These are the souls entrusted to my care to nurture and love. Lord, give me grace to practice greater “softness” in my communication.
What are your thoughts on the questions addressed above? How can we seek to manage our households well? How can we welcome, beget, and nurture life beyond just the bearing of children?
For further study on this section, find inspiring audio clips, additional video clips, and articles at True Woman 101.
Thank you SO much for taking the time to share this study with us and record your groups’ discussions! I really enjoyed the discussion this week – it encouraged me to dig in a bit deeper and try a little harder in some of the areas (Softness – especially with my husband and children – is a hard one for me! My husband is constantly reminding me that I need an to find a place in between 0 and 10 on the anger scale…). I truly appreciate the honesty and wisdom that you and the ladies in your group have to offer! Thanks for letting me join in and learn along with you. =)
I have been so encouraged by your blog – thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you so much for “inculding” us in your study Lindsay! I’m finding this study to be a blessing so far.
I have trouble living up to the Biblical role as homemaker. In my situation right now, I have to work. It is hard being a single mother to 4 children and my ex-husband provides zero financial, or support of any kind, towards my children. I wish I had more time in the day to give to my family, but right now I need to focus on my career to provide for my children. I know in my heart I am doing the right thing being a good provider, but on the other hand I wish I was able to be a mother and homemaker. My career takes so much out of me, but I have to keep it up as it provides our family with our needs.
Anyone have any tips for homemaking for the single, career mom? I barely have time to vacuum let alone bake cookies and host gatherings.
I am not sure about what to tell you to do. I have trouble on my own figure out what to best do so I can serve the Lord. I hope you can forgive your ex-husband for anything he has done and let the Lord mend your heart. He has mended mine in many ways. He will be your husband and your provider. Do what He asks and he will take care. Matthew 6:25-34 has helped me before when I start to worry. If we seek His kingdom and His righteousness he will take care of the rest. Prayer, and listening I guess that is what I would say.
HI Liz, thank you for sharing. I pray that the Holy Spirit will guide you and give you all the graces you need for this season of your life. I know God sees your struggles, and even more he sees your heart desiring to love and honor Him. May he help you moment by moment in the decisions you have to make (the small ones and the huge ones). May the Lord grow your little ones to be 4 loving children of God as well as 4 wonderful helpers in the home that will multiply the joys of making the home!
And if the Lord so grants, open doors to work opportunities that helps you flow in his purposes for you both as provider and nurturer of the home 
My thoughts and prayers to you 
The women at our church are having such great discussions through this study! We are all experiencing personal growth, a new outlook on our relationships, and growing closer in our friendships with each other.
These videos are GREAT and have been such a blessing for me. It reminds me of my mother in laws women’s ministry!!! You would probably really enjoy it! Her website is http://www.justjoyministries.com
So inspiring, encouraging, and true! Thank you!