INTRODUCTION:

       The wise mother of King Lemuel said, “Favor is deceitful, and beauty  is vain;
              But a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised” (Proverbs 31:30).
B. In this lesson, we shall see what the Bible says about the right kin
d  of women.
 1. Husbands can help their wives to be the right kind of women.
 2. Unmarried men and boys can learn the kind of person to seek for a life companion.
 3. Hopefully, we can help women and girls strive for virtue, not vanity.
C. We shall approach this lesson in two ways.
 1. Look at the ideal woman in today’s society.
 2. Look at a composite of the ideal woman as presented in the New Testament.

DISCUSSION:

I. THE IDEAL WOMAN IN MODERN AMERICAN SOCIETY TODAY.

 A. 1993 was called “The Year of the Woman.”
  1. As a result of the Feminist or “Women’s Liberation Movement,” women now
   have the privilege to serve as soldiers, police officers, go into men’s locker 
   rooms, etc.
  2. They have won the right to smoke, drink, swear, do drugs, and commit 
   fornication without stigma!
  3. Someone described modern woman as “short-haired, loud-mouthed, beer 
   guzzling, cigarette sucking, tough talking, aggressive acting, and gender neutral.”
 B. Let’s look at the most prominent and popular women in our nation today.
  1. First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton is an ardent feminist who favors homosexual 
   goals and the right to murder unborn children by abortion.
  2. Madonna, one of the most popular entertainers of all times, exploits nudity 
   and sex and promotes vulgarity in her performances.
  3. Roseanne Arnold is the epitome of the liberated woman: loud, pushy, irreverent.
  4. Dr. Jocelyn Elders, the Surgeon General of the United States supports 
   distributing condoms to school kids and legalizing dangerous, addictive, 
   mind-altering drugs.
 C. Historians generally acknowledge that women keep alive moral and spiritual values in society.
  1. They bring refinement to the cruder nature of man.
  2. What hope is there for civilization when women descend into the gutter?

II. SOME EXAMPLES OF IDEAL WOMEN AS PRESENTED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT.

 A. Elisabeth, a righteous, God-fearing woman became the mother of John the Baptist (Luke 1).
 B. Mary, a virtuous virgin, became the means of bringing the Son of God into the world 
  (Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38).
 C. The women who followed our Lord and ministered to Him of their substance were the last 
  to leave the cross and the first to come to the tomb (Luke 8:1-3; Matthew 27:55,56,61; 
  28:1-8). 
 D. The woman with an issue of blood was healed by the Lord because of her faith 
  (Matthew 9:20-22).
 E. The Canaanite woman’s daughter was delivered of a devil because of her faith 
  (Matthew 15:21-28).
 F. The sinful woman who anointed Jesus’ head and feet was forgiven because of her faith 
  (Luke 7:36-50).
 G. Dorcas, who made clothing for the poor, was raised to life by Peter (Acts 9:36-41).
 H. Mary, mother of Mark, opened her home to the church in Jerusalem (Acts 12:2).
 I. Lydia, whose heart the Lord opened, became Paul’s first convert in Philippi (Acts 16:14,15).
 J. Priscilla, with her husband, Aquila, was a co-worker with the Apostle Paul (Acts 18:1-3).
 K. Eunice and Lois were the godly mother and grandmother who trained Timothy 
  (II Timothy 1:5; 3:14,15).
 L. Rahab, a harlot, repented and became an example of faith along with Abraham 
  (Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25).

 THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE IDEAL WOMAN AS PRESENTED IN THE NEW 
 TESTAMENT.

 A. Women as wives (Ephesians 5:22-24; Colossians 3:18).
  1. A wife must be subject to her husband as the church is to Christ.
  2. “Submit” is from a military word meaning “to rank under.”
 B. Women as worshipers (I Timothy 2:9-15).
  1. Women are to dress modestly (decently, orderly, appropriately).
  2. They are to be adorned with good works.
  3. They are not to usurp authority (have dominion) over the man.
 C. Women as wives of elders and deacons (I Timothy 3:11,12).
  1. They must be grave (serious minded, dignified).
  2. They must not be slanderers (from Diabolos, devil; finding faults with others, accusers).
  3. Sober (self-controlled).
  4. Faithful in all things.
 D. Women as worthy of support by the church (I Timothy 5:5-15).
  1. Continues in prayer (v. 5).
  2. Well reported of for good works (v. 10).
   a. Raised children.
   b. Hospitable.
   c. Charitable.
  3. Younger women are to (v. 14).
   a. Marry.
   b. Bear children.
   c. Guide (give direction, rule) the house.
 E. Women as worthy examples and teachers of other women (Titus 2:3-5).
  1. Holy behavior.
  2. Not false accusers (gossipers).
  3. Not given to much wine/gluttons.
  4. Teachers of good things to younger women.
   a. To be sober.
   b. To love their husbands.
   c. To love their children.
   d. To be discreet (temperate, self-controlled).
   e. To be chaste:  Noel Meredith remarked that “Many  women dressed 
    to be chased, not chaste.”
   f. Keepers (workers-ASV) at home.
   g. Good.
   h. Obedient to their own husbands.
 F. Women who wish to win their unbelieving husbands (I Peter 3:1-7).
  1. Be in subjection to their husbands.
  2. Chaste conversation (moral behavior).
  3. A meek and quiet spirit.

CONCLUSION:
 

A. The role that God designed for women is under attack today!
B. Christian men have a responsibility to stand up for what God has said even 
 though they may be ridiculed as chauvinistic.
C. Young men need to seek a wife from young women who believe what the Bible says.
D. Some advice for unmarried young men.
 1. Don’t date anyone you would not marry for you will marry someone you date.
 2. Understand that marriage is a lifetime commitment--date those who are most 
  likely to believe this also.
 3. Attend activities where you are most likely to meet the kind of girl you want--avoid 
  other activities.
 4. Maintain your principles--don’t compromise--be patient!

         Rod Rutherford
         4905 Gadwall Dr. W.
         Memphis, TN 38141