series art

Why We Need Women To Lead

Deborah, the wife of Lappidoth, was a prophet who was judging Israel at that time. She would sit under the Palm of Deborah, between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites would go to her for judgment. JUDGES 4.4-5 NLT

the Israelites again did evil in the Lord’s sight. JUDGES 4.1 NLT

Why do we need women to lead?

One day she sent for Barak son of Abinoam, who lived in Kedesh in the land of Naphtali. She said to him, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, commands you: Call out 10,000 warriors from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun at Mount Tabor. And I will call out Sisera, commander of Jabin’s army, along with his chariots and warriors, to the Kishon River. There I will give you victory over him.” Barak told her, “I will go, but only if you go with me.” “Very well,” she replied, “I will go with you. But you will receive no honor in this venture, for the Lord’s victory over Sisera will be at the hands of a woman.” So Deborah went with Barak to Kedesh. At Kedesh, Barak called together the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali, and 10,000 warriors went up with him. Deborah also went with him. Now Heber the Kenite, a descendant of Moses’ brother-in-law Hobab, had moved away from the other members of his tribe and pitched his tent by the oak of Zaanannim near Kedesh. When Sisera was told that Barak son of Abinoam had gone up to Mount Tabor, he called for all 900 of his iron chariots and all of his warriors, and they marched from Harosheth-haggoyim to the Kishon River. Then Deborah said to Barak, “Get ready! This is the day the Lord will give you victory over Sisera, for the Lord is marching ahead of you.” So Barak led his 10,000 warriors down the slopes of Mount Tabor into battle. When Barak attacked, the Lord threw Sisera and all his chariots and warriors into a panic. Sisera leaped down from his chariot and escaped on foot. Then Barak chased the chariots and the enemy army all the way to Harosheth-haggoyim, killing all of Sisera’s warriors. Not a single one was left alive. Meanwhile, Sisera ran to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, because Heber’s family was on friendly terms with King Jabin of Hazor. Jael went out to meet Sisera and said to him, “Come into my tent, sir. Come in. Don’t be afraid.” So he went into her tent, and she covered him with a blanket. “Please give me some water,” he said. “I’m thirsty.” So she gave him some milk from a leather bag and covered him again. “Stand at the door of the tent,” he told her. “If anybody comes and asks you if there is anyone here, say no.” But when Sisera fell asleep from exhaustion, Jael quietly crept up to him with a hammer and tent peg in her hand. Then she drove the tent peg through his temple and into the ground, and so he died. When Barak came looking for Sisera, Jael went out to meet him. She said, “Come, and I will show you the man you are looking for.” So he followed her into the tent and found Sisera lying there dead, with the tent peg through his temple. So on that day Israel saw God defeat Jabin, the Canaanite king. And from that time on Israel became stronger and stronger against King Jabin until they finally destroyed him. JUDGES 4.6-24 NLT

As women lead, God speaks to all of us

One day she sent for Barak son of Abinoam, who lived in Kedesh in the land of Naphtali. She said to him, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, commands you…JUDGES 4.6 NLT

Then Deborah said to Barak, “Get ready! This is the day the Lord will give you victory over Sisera, for the Lord is marching ahead of you.” JUDGES 4.14 NLT

As women lead, God empowers men

Barak told her, “I will go, but only if you go with me.” JUDGES 4.8 NLT

As women lead, God delivers people

So on that day Israel saw God defeat Jabin, the Canaanite king. JUDGES 4.23 NLT

How can we lead in deference to God’s choice regardless of gender?

We lead with the meekness of Christ

So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant MARK 10.42-43 NLT

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Take a few moments to slow down, offering to Jesus any burdens you might be carrying right now. Invite God into this time, asking Him to help you be real with yourself and Him as you pray. As you consider the role of women in leadership, what thoughts or feelings come to mind? Is there any obstacle or sense of jadedness that needs to be addressed? Ask God to help you overcome these. When you consider the role Deborah played in using her strengths to free Israel from oppression, what qualities of hers do you admire? Ask God to show you how you can be more like her in your own circles of influence. Finally, spend some time thanking God for the strong women in your life. Confess any potential threat you might feel from them, and instead, ask God to give you a sense of confidence in the ways you have gifted them, as well as the ways in which He has gifted you. Close your time by thanking God for always viewing you with love, asking Him to help you step into any role He may be inviting you into.

Discussion Questions

  1. PERSONAL REFLECTION: Begin by completing the Personal Reflection Guide, (link found on the top of sermon notes). Use this time to examine women in leadership, and your own personal role to play in helping people experience freedom. (Tip: playing some soft background music is helpful here!)
  2. OPENER: Who has been the most effective female leader in your life? What qualities of hers made an impression on you?
  3. REAL WITH SELF: How does it make you feel to know that God never ceases to have his eyes on us? Do you believe that it is a loving gaze? What might change if you did?
  4. REAL WITH GOD: How can you embrace the role and authority God has called you to? Women, do you believe that we need to hear your voice?
  5. REAL WITH OTHERS: How does listening provide better leadership? Give an example of how good listening helped you to provide (or experience) better leadership.
  6. TAKE ACTION: Read Mark 10:42-43 (NLT). What steps can you take this week to follow the leadership of Jesus and lead with meekness (power under control)?