One morning, not long after I graduated from seminary and was serving in a women’s ministry position at a church, I overheard one of the table leaders for Bible study quoting a woman who didn’t teach sound doctrine. I remember feeling distressed about what I should do. I ended up pulling the woman aside to tell her what I knew of this woman’s teaching, and thankfully, the table leader responded with grace and humility.
Although there haven’t been too many times like this, I’ve occasionally had to share with women why a certain book should be read with caution or a Bible study shouldn’t be used, because the views of the author aren’t in agreement with the sound doctrine taught by our church’s pastors and elders.
As women are increasingly influenced by social media, where anyone can claim to be a Bible teacher or women’s ministry leader without training or vetting, we can’t overemphasize the importance of teaching sound doctrine. It equips women to recognize unsound teaching when they encounter it.
Six Important Truths
While many Bible teachers and small-group leaders readily assent to the importance of teaching sound doctrine, they may struggle to define the sound doctrine they’re to teach. Foundational, of course, is that our doctrine is drawn from the 66 books of the Bible. The Holy Scriptures contain all we need to know and teach about God.
While many Bible teachers and small-group leaders readily assent to the importance of sound doctrine, they may struggle to define the sound doctrine they’re to teach.
Other gospel-centered resources, like good theology books, are important and helpful, but most importantly, our doctrine must align with what the Bible teaches.
Still, the Bible teaches many truths. Which ones need to be included when we seek to give women a foundation for sound doctrine? Here are six.
1. God is Creator and Redeemer.
We must recognize that the triune God is the Creator of humankind and the Redeemer of the elect. He is sovereignly ruling over all things, so that he brings about his purposes and plans exactly as he has ordained them. He alone is the Creator, Savior, and King to whom belongs all the glory for all eternity.
2. Mankind is sinful and will face judgment.
We must understand that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). For those who remain “self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury” on the day of God’s judgment (2:8). The entire world will “be held accountable to God,” and “by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight” (3:19–20).
3. There is one way of salvation.
We must teach that there is only one way of salvation. “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all” (1 Tim. 2:5–6). Jesus claims, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). All those who repent of their sins and trust in Christ alone for their salvation are, by an act of God’s free grace, justified and adopted. They’re also, by the work of God’s free grace, sanctified. This work of sanctification in the life of the believer produces good works as a testimony of God’s free saving grace.
4. The church is essential.
We’re to confirm the importance of the church, both the universal and local church. We’re to recognize that Christ is the One who builds his church (Matt. 16:18), and we’re to obey his command to “make disciples of all nations” (28:19). We’re not to neglect corporate worship on the Lord’s Day but gather to worship the Lord and encourage one another (Heb. 10:25). We’re to use our gifts “for building up the body of Christ” while “speaking the truth in love” (Eph. 4:12, 15). And we’re to engage in the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, as appointed by the Lord.
5. We’re called to godly living.
We’re to teach the importance of leading “a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Tim. 2:2), especially when it comes to living as a Christian in this world. We’re to make “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings . . . for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions” (vv. 1–2). We’re not to gossip about or slander our leaders, even if they aren’t leading or living in accordance with Scripture, but instead are to speak honorably of them and pray for God to grant them repentance, give them wisdom, and enable them to lead in integrity.
6. Christ will return.
We’re to establish the truth that the Lord will return to judge the living and the dead. All “those who do not know God and . . . do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus . . . will suffer punishment of eternal destruction” (2 Thess. 1:8–9). But all those who know God and obey the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ will inherit the new Jerusalem and be with the Lord forever (Rev. 21:1–22:5). Therefore, all of life is to be lived for the glory of God and in eager anticipation of Christ’s return.
We must teach that there is only one way of salvation.
Teaching sound doctrine in our women’s ministries is vital. All of life is a preparation for the day when we’ll finally behold our beloved Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He deserves our highest worship and praise, so we should give our utmost time and attention to understand the depths of the doctrines revealed to us in his Word.
Then we’ll know him more deeply and bring higher praises before our Lord and King. We’ll recognize unsound teaching when we encounter it. And we’ll rightly tell the next generation who Christ is and all he has done, that they too might deepen their worship and raise their voices in praise.
