^“They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires,  always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.” 2 Timothy 3:6-7

Is this who we want to be known as? Gullible and unable to stand up for what we believe in? At the beginning of chapter three, Paul describes the “terrible times” coming in the last days.

“People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,  without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good…”  2 Timothy 3:1-4

Sound anything like the world around us? These are the people we interact with on a daily basis, often times the people we take instruction from and ultimately let impact our lives. It is time to step up ladies, God has called us to a deeper faith. Representing half of the Body of Christ, it is time for us to take responsibility for what we believe.

I was once approached by a friend who, by asking a few simple questions, got me thinking about this one idea: if nothing was holding you back, what impact would you want to make? Put aside money, time, and resources, what difference do you desire to make? In my mind, I was just a girl with these big dreams, only two years into her ministry degree, and terrified of getting on stage in front of anyone.

Throughout my studies, I have gotten the opportunity to dive into the Word of God. As a class, we compared theologies, picked apart passages word by word, and sought to understand the multitude of applications the Text has for our lives. I was surrounded by a class of pastors, ministry leaders, and students who desired this deeper understanding of the truth. I wanted to share this joy with other women. I desired to equip women to move past this gullible and easily swayed faith to discover the truth for themselves.

I had a vision but no direction. How could I share this passion with others? I got the opportunity to sit down with a couple of mentors in my church to brainstorm some ideas. When the idea of a blog was brought up I was quick to push it aside. “What am I thinking, I am not a good writer.” After a little more convincing I decided to give it a shot, and what a crazy journey it has been,

As we have walked through the past six months, we have been unpacking God’s design for our lives as women. My sincere hope is that this month that our studies will empower us as women to seek to deepen our faith. You don’t need to have a degree in theology but the nonnegotiable truth is that: You must KNOW the Word!

Paul recognized this issue and wrote these words in his second letter to Timothy:

“In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: ² Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. ³ For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. ⁴ They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. ⁵ But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” (4:1-5, emphasis added)

No matter if you are a student, mother, career women, or anything in-between we are given this same charge. God has designed and equip us for His work, from working in the mission field to the ministry of our homes but we must not miss the most important tool He has given us: His Word.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. So that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”  (3:16-17)

After taking a break the past two months, I am excited to jump back into book reviews. This month we will be working through a book written by Aimee Byrd titled No Little Women.

“Why are so many well-intentioned women falling for poor—even false—theology? The devil has been effectively targeting women from the beginning, so why are they often left to fend for themselves in so-called women’s ministries?

Strengthening women in the church strengthens the whole church. Cultivating resolved, competent women equips them to fulfill their calling as Christ’s disciples and men’s essential allies. Writing to concerned women and church officers, Aimee Byrd pinpoints the problem, especially the commodification of women’s ministry. Aimee answers the hot-button issues—How can women grow in discernment? How should pastors preach to women? What are our roles within the church?—and points us in the direction of a multifaceted solution.” (No Little Women)