God created woman to be a helper (Hebrew: ezer). God knew man would not be complete without woman to help him remember and trust God’s Word, be a good steward of all that God has made, and build a culture of life.
In a fallen world, however, woman is challenged by Satan, sin and her own doubting nature. But there is hope in Jesus Christ! And, because of Jesus Christ, there are countless opportunities for each ezerwoman to make a positive difference in her home, church and community. Where can ezerwoman begin? By making use of a resource I call Ezer’s Handbook. Let’s begin with opportunity #1 —
#1 — MENTOR FROM A HOUSE BUILT ON FIRM FOUNDATION
The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down (Proverbs 14:1).
Build on The Word. The Word is Wisdom. It is unchanging Truth. The Word provides everything a man or woman needs for living in today’s world, meeting today’s challenges, and mentoring generations. Paraphrased Bibles are fine for personal reading, but don’t count on them for accuracy. Highly recommended is The Lutheran Study Bible (ESV). The commentaries offer historical and archeological evidence as well as Greek and Hebrew origins of words.
Prepare for the Battle of Worldviews on Sex and Sexuality. Begin with the Bible study Men, Women and Relationships: Building a Culture of Life Across Generations. This twelve-lesson study is appropriate for men and women who are single or married. Although the world tells us that men and women are the same, no different from one another and both just “sexual beings from birth”, God tells us we are far more than that. (This Bible study with leader’s guide may be ordered from Concordia Publishing House #LFL901BS or by calling 888-364-LIFE.)
Be Equipped with Resources. Married or single, a woman has a sphere of influence that leads others to–or away from–God. How are you mentoring biblical womanhood in your home? From your office? At school? In the your church and community? You will find resources for mentoring biblical womanhood at Titus 2 for Life and The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood.
Be Careful Who You Let Shape Your Worldview. Ideas of sex, sexuality, love, relationships, marriage, motherhood, morality, clothing, behavior and life in general are mentored in one way or another by every newspaper, magazine, website, TV commercial or self-help book. As a follower of Christ, it is our responsibility to be discerning. WORLD and CITIZEN are publications that offer a biblical perspective in contrast to Newsweek and Time. Websites with current information offered from a biblical worldview rather than humanist perspective include Parental Rights, Answers In Genesis, LifeNews, the Family Research Council, MercatorNet, and Concerned Women for America.
Use Spiritual Discernment. A Titus 2 mentor reaches out with the Truth of God, both Law and Gospel. We are called, however, to be discerning in the proper use of each. The woman who doesn’t recognize her sin is in need of the Law, but the woman who has been convicted of her sin longs for the Gospel (Psalm 32:3-5). A suggested book that will help you better distinguish Law and Gospel — as well as the time and place for both — is Handling the Word of Truth by John T. Pless.
Mentor, Don’t Preach. The woman who builds her house on firm foundation must be prepared for “hot button” issues that stir memories and emotions. In our circle of relationships are women who have been mentored by someone with a humanist or feminist perspective. Among us are women who have been wounded by a past abortion, divorce, or physical or mental abuse. Jesus never compromised the truth nor did He break an already bruised reed. May we, too, speak truth with a gentle love for souls. One very effective way to mentor without preaching is story-telling. No one can deny the lessons learned from a person’s real-life experience.
What’s next? #2: Mentor Confidence in the Created Order.
Ezer’s Handbook is a resource developed
by Linda Bartlett and presented at Titus 2 Retreats.
Ezerwoman's Blog 
Lack of Self-Control = Unhappy Women
Posted in Biblical manhood & womanhood, Commentaries of others, Culture Shifts, Faith & Practice, Identity, Life issues, Relationships, Vocation, tagged arrogance, children, common sense, Dennis Prager, depression, hope, hopelessness, Jesus Christ, mentoring, narcissism, parents, promise, self-control, self-indulgence, selfishness, The Washington Times, Titus 2, Titus 2 for Life, unhappiness, women's health on June 7, 2011| Leave a Comment »
New scientific research shows that if adults cultivate the practice of self-control — starting early — in children, a great many could be saved from addictions, poverty, and crime. Isn’t that just like scientific evidence? Always lagging behind but, when pure, testifying to God’s order of creation.
This ezerwoman is a better helper — of men, children, and society — when I practice self-control. Lest I forget (or resist), God consistently reminds me to be “self-controlled.” The books of 1 and 2 Timothy refer to the virtue of “self-control” at least four times. At least five times, the book of Titus instructs older men and women to practice and mentor “self-control.” There’s good reason. Self-control glorifies God. It can result in more hopeful consequences. It can even reduce depression
Self-control is the opposite of living our lives however we please. Doing whatever makes us “happy.” Insisting that our “needs” be met. Serving self over others. Perhaps this is what happens when times are good. We give ourselves license… for whatever, whenever. We have (in my American lifetime) “lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence” (James 5:5). For sure, it is what happens when women are encouraged to let their emotions rule.
But, encouraging girls and young women to let their emotions rule has not made them happy. It is widely reported, writes Dennis Prager, that women suffer depression at twice the rate of men. If the clinical assumptions are true, Prager suggests that we consider the following:
“Wise cultures have learned that happiness is attained only when we conquer our nature. This is true for male and female. With modern feminism, however, came a belief in the superiority of the female nature. The result? Society was urged to suppress both the negative and positive aspects of the male nature with little or no suppression of the female nature. Historically, societies and parents have always known it’s a good thing to teach boys to control two aspects of their male nature — their sexual desires and their predilection for violence. Decent men were taught from youth to touch a woman sexually only with her permission and to channel physical aggression into sports or into helping fight evil by joining the police force or military. Men who didn’t learn to control these aspects of male nature not only became bad men, but unhappy men.”
He continues, “Societies and parents also knew it was important to help girls control their natures — in particular, their predilection to be ruled by their emotions. Women who allowed their emotions to rule them not only became destructive (to members of their families first and foremost), they became unhappy women. But, while modern society continued to teach boys to control themselves, it stopped teaching girls to do so. Girls’ emotions and feelings were treated as inherently valuable. In fact, to repress a girl’s emotions or feelings was labeled ‘sexist’ and showed a ‘hatred of women.’ ” (Excerpted from “Wanted by women: A few good old-fashioned men” by Dennis Prager, The Washington Times, 6-30-08)
Hmmm. I’m reminded of the woman who showed up at an abortion clinic. Why? “He kissed me and I melted. I was filled with passion and couldn’t help myself. Now, I’m pregnant and must take control of my body.”
Lack of self control + unhappy woman = desperation and hopelessness. Ugh.
There is another choice. Mature men and women can be examples of self-control and mentor younger ones to do the same. There is promise in such practice: Hope for living out our lives in anticipation of Jesus’ return (Titus 2).
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