Big Idea: God has called men and women in the church to fulfill unique but complementary roles. Men are called to shepherd and women are called to support. In these roles, we manifest the Lord Jesus as we advance the gospel message.
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Both, men and women play a significant role in Jesus’ ministry.
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Both, men and women have a particular role in Jesus’ ministry.
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Men are primarily called to lead in the ministry of Jesus and therefore in the church.
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Women are primarily called to serve in the ministry of Jesus and therefore in the church.
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Both roles are essential to the success of the spread of the gospel and the discipling of the nations.
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Women are called to _________________________
Luke 8:1-3 (ESV) — 1 Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God… 2 and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities… and many others, who provided for them out of their means.
The original frame of reference for the use of the entire word group of the διακ- stem in secular Greek was that of table service. The basic meaning of the vb., correspondingly, was wait on tables. From this meaning the wider sense has been derived: care for one’s livelihood, and finally serve in general.
Acts 16:11-15 (pg. 870)
God has called women to lift up and support, to provide for the flourishing of, and to partner with the spread of the gospel in the home, church and society.
That the woman was made of a rib out of the side of Adam; not made out of his head to rule over him, nor out of his feet to be trampled upon by him, but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be beloved.
“Quick test: who are some of the most famous and exemplary women in the Old Testament? Don’t think too hard or too long. Who came to mind? Probably names such as Sarah and Rebekah, Rachel and Leah, Rahab and Ruth, Deborah and Abigail, Eve and Esther. To be sure, these were imperfect women marked, at times, by disobedience (Eve), unbelief (Sarah), and deception (Rebekah). But where the women are exemplary, it is often on account of the good influence they exercised in steering, advising, assisting, and coming alongside men. Sarah modeled respect for her husband (1Pet. 3:6). Rahab hid the two spies (Josh. 2). Deborah strengthened the resolve of Barak (Judg. 4). Ruth convinced Boaz to allow here to come under his protection (Ruth 3). Abigail dealt kindly with David, while also pleading forgiveness for her foolish husband (1Sam. 25). Esther risked her life and intervened to direct her husband to the true threat in his kingdom (Est. 7). These heroic women took chances and overcame difficult rulers and difficult circumstances, and they did so – only sometimes as wives to husbands – as the intelligent helpers God designed them to be.” –Kevin DeYoung, Men and Women in Ministry, pg. 41
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Women Ought to Support Like a _______________________
Mark 10:42–45 (ESV) — 42 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
To serve and support others ought not to be something to bemoan or belittle, it ought to be seen as one of the greatest callings in all of humanity. For, as men model Jesus as the good shepherd, women model Jesus as the great servant.
John 13:12–17 (ESV) — 12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
Question to Consider
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Men, how has God called you to shepherd? Women, how has God called you to serve?
