Jesus & Women

UNFOLLOW | Part 2

Is Christianity anti-women?

JESUS & WOMEN

Unfollow the assumption that Jesus AGREES
with everything you ALREADY THINK.

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:38-42

Busy vs. Presence

Jesus is actually doing something deeply subversive.

“Sitting at the feet “was a technical first-century expression in Judaism for formal discipleship.

Jesus consistently ELEVATED women, affirming their DIGNITY, VALUE, and CALLING in the Kingdom of God.

- Women traveled with Jesus. (Luke 8:1-3)
- Women supported and funded His ministry. (Luke 8:1-3)
- Women learned from Him as disciples. (Luke 10:38-42)
- Women were entrusted with the news of the resurrection. (John 20:11-18)

Jesus didn't merely welcome women into the CROWD;
He welcomed them into His MOVEMENT.

What does Scripture actually teach about men and women?

What does Scripture teach about men and women
in spiritual leadership within the Church?

How should a follower of Jesus approach difficult theological questions?

Complementarian vs. Egalitarian

Complementarian: A theological view that men and women are equal in dignity, value, and worth before God, yet are given distinct and complementary roles within the Church. Complementarians generally believe certain leadership roles involving spiritual authority, teaching, preaching, pastoral leadership, and eldership are reserved for qualified men.

Egalitarian: A theological view that men and women are equal in dignity, value, and calling, and that leadership roles within the church—including teaching, preaching, eldership, and pastoral leadership—are open to qualified men and women.

- Unfollow WINNING over ONENESS.

Your POSTURE matters as much as your POSITION.
(Philippians 2)

How are we to hold Doctrines?
- In Essentials: UNITY
- In Non-Essentials: LIBERTY
- In all our Beliefs: CHARITY

- Unfollow OUTSOURCING your THINKING.

In an age of algorithms, followers of Jesus must learn to think deeply,
listen carefully, and sit patiently at the feet of Jesus.

Genesis 1-3: Reveals God’s good design for men and women, the impact of sin, and the hope of redemption that runs throughout Scripture.

- Image of God (Genesis 1:27-28): EQUALITY, DIGNITY, & DISTINCTION

Both men and women are created in the image of God as co-creators, co-laborers, and co-rulers.

- Helper Suitable (Genesis 2:18): PARTNERSHIP by design.

Ezer – one who provides strength, aid, rescue, and support where it is needed. The word ezer is most often used of God Himself as the helper of Israel, carrying the idea of strength, rescue, and provision, not subordination.

Kegnedo – a corresponding counterpart; one who stands face-to-face as an equal partner, bringing complementary strengths to accomplish God's purposes.

Ezer Kenegdo – a strong, equal partner uniquely designed to stand alongside another in accomplishing God's purposes.

- The Fall (Genesis 3:16): Relational DEVASTATION with God and each other.

The curse corrupted God’s vision for humanity.

Partnership  Power Struggle
Mutuality  Manipulation
Service  Domination

What did the death and resurrection of Jesus reverse from the curse?

Old Testament: Miriam, Huldah, Deborah, Proverbs 31 Woman

“God has historically used women in leadership.”

Jesus: The Samaritan Woman, Mary & Martha, Mary Magdalene

Jesus elevated women, affirming their dignity and inviting them into discipleship.

Paul: Difficult Texts & the Early Church

- AFFIRMATION: Paul affirmed women in leadership. (Romans 16:1-7)
- QUALIFICATION: Eldership is rooted in character. (1 Timothy 3:1-13)
- INTERPRETATION: Is 1 Timothy 2:8-15 situational or universal?

“I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man;
she must be quiet.”

Was Paul addressing a specific situation in a specific church, or was he establishing a universal principle for all churches at all times?

After a year of prayer, study, discussion, and discernment, we came to a conviction.

We believe Awakening Church is strongest when qualified men and qualified women use their gifts to help shepherd, discern, lead, and care for this church family.

We recognize faithful Christians come to different conclusions on this issue. But after sitting at the feet of Jesus together, this is where we believe He has led us.

- Unfollow a PICK-&-CHOOSE approach to the BIBLE.

Six times we are commanded to “greet one another with a holy kiss.” (Romans 16:16

Why do some commands make us reach for cultural context immediately,
while others we apply without hesitation?