"The Life God Empowers"

     Even a brief look at the church and the lives of many women today reveals an appalling complacency in the face of the world’s tremendous needs, a lack of God-given direction, and spiritual impotence against sin. Even as Paul asked the Galatians, “What has happened to all your joy?” the Lord might ask His daughters today, “What has happened to all your power?” We have believed the lie that our power comes from created things (our appearance, our accomplishments, our stuff), rather than from the Creator. The result is that we have actually lost our power: by bowing down to these idols, we are exhausted, enervated, and empty. The Life God Empowers is a teaching series for women who are tired of “business (or busyness) as usual.” Longing to see God’s kingdom power unleashed in the world through them, they are willing first to see God’s kingdom power at work in them.

“Contested: The Power of God in Battle for Us”      
(Genesis 3:1-15; Colossians 2:6-10)
     The interaction between Eve and our enemy in Genesis 3 reveals Satan’s deep-seated hatred of woman (and her seed). Through lies and deception, the enemy sets out to destroy Eve’s power to bring God glory as an image-bearer, an indispensable helper, and a life-giver. He succeeds brilliantly. But before he can gloat in victory, our warrior God comes to our rescue, promising the One who would “crush the serpent’s head” (Genesis 3:15). This teaching shows women how the enemy has set out to “steal, kill, and destroy” in their lives – and points them to Christ’s heroic (and utterly victorious) battle to restore what the enemy has taken from them. They learn how to stop running from pain and ignoring the wounds they have suffered. They discover how to return to the battlefields of their lives as the sites where Jesus’ victory on the cross now makes them “more than conquerors.” Finally, they find that the nature of their battles reveals a blueprint for the “power grid” God has built into them: the unique way He has created and is even now restoring them to build His kingdom with resurrection power.

“Confronted: The Power of Hearing–and Obeying-God’s Voice”            
(Exodus 3-4:20)
     To look at God’s interaction with Moses as God calls him to lead Israel out of slavery in Egypt is to see a portrait of ourselves. All too often we are unable to see beyond our own inadequacy and weakness. We are afraid of failure, and are sure God has chosen the wrong person for the job. But it is in exactly this place of vulnerability and misgiving that God meets and empowers Moses – and will meet and empower us. This teaching calls us to come out of hiding, to confront our own “But, God…” statements, and listen as God calls us to exchange our “strength” for His all-surpassing power. As we do so, we will discover that God unleashes His power into the lives of forgiven sinners who not only hear – but also obey – His call.

“Connected: The Power of Spiritual Life-giving”                                   (Judges 4,5)
     In a day when Israel is under attack and going down for the third time, a woman named Deborah dares to do great things for God. In a day of fear, oppression, and isolation (much like our own) Deborah fights back in God’s power. Her weapon? Deep, covenant connection with her God – which transforms her into a connector of others in Israel against their enemies. Scripture describes Deborah as a prophetess, the judge and leader over Israel, and the wife of Lappidoth.  In her song of triumph Deborah describes herself in a surprisingly different way when she proclaims, “Village life had ceased in Israel ceased, ceased until I Deborah arose, arose a mother in Israel” (Judges 5:7). Deborah’s calling is our calling. Her story shows us how to look at the devastation in our culture and instead of being daunted by the challenge, to “arise as mothers in Israel.” As such we can move purposefully into our God-given design as the cultivators of community, relational experts, and spiritual life-givers which the Body of Christ and our disintegrating culture so desperately need. Spurred on by the example of our spiritual grandmother Deborah, we too can see our families, churches, communities, and world restored by the power of God. 

“Consecrated: The Power of Holy Brokenness”                                  
(John 12:1-8)
     In a culture that preaches the rights of the individual and urges women to rule their own lives and exercise power over others, those of us who follow Jesus hear His clearer, if quieter, call to live the life of consecration. Whether small or large, unassuming or impressive, each of our lives is a unique vessel through which God wants to pour His presence and power. But so few of us really let Him. As women we wrestle with releasing control of our lives, learning to trust that the One who knows us best, loves us most – that He can be trusted with our whole selves and lives. In John 12 Mary of Bethany models for us what a life poured out in sacrifice to Jesus looks like. Having been truly seen – and loved – by the Savior, she responds with a precious and historically significant act of consecration. In this session, women witness a living portrait of the power of holy brokenness and a life which touches the heart of Jesus. In a closing time of consecration, they are given the opportunity to do likewise.