The Bible is clear: women hold an irreplaceable role in the spiritual growth of their families and the broader church. Yet, many women hesitate when it comes to diving deeply into Scripture or growing in theological understanding. Why is this? Too often, cultural expectations or personal doubts whisper, “This isn’t for you,” and women count themselves out of the very call God has placed upon their lives.

Let us be clear—biblical and theological literacy is not just for pastors, elders, or teachers. It is for every believer, including every woman who seeks to love God and serve others well.

Consider the example set in 2 Timothy 1:5 (BSB), where Paul commends Timothy’s sincere faith, saying, “which first lived in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice.” Notice the legacy here. Lois and Eunice, women of faith and knowledge, invested in Timothy’s spiritual formation. They weren’t merely cheerleaders in his life—they were teachers, deeply rooted in the Scriptures, passing on truth that would equip him to serve the church. This is the kind of legacy every Christian woman is called to leave behind.

Love and Doctrine: Two Sides of the Same Coin

It is not enough for your children—or the women you mentor—to simply know that you love them. As a mature Christian woman, your role goes beyond offering emotional support. While love is foundational, sound instruction is transformative.

Titus 2 gives a beautiful blueprint for this kind of ministry: “Teach the older women to be reverent in behavior… so that they can encourage the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, busy at home, kind, and subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be discredited” (Titus 2:3-5, BSB). This isn’t a call to shallow encouragement; it’s a charge to model and teach lives saturated in biblical truth. Loving others well means pointing them to God’s Word as the ultimate authority and source of wisdom.

When those you influence look back, let them say both, “She loved me deeply,” and “She taught me wisely.” These two expressions of faithfulness—love and instruction—go hand in hand.

Equipping for the Work

For women to fulfill this role, they must first commit to being students of Scripture. Jesus affirmed that sitting at His feet to learn is the highest priority for His followers, regardless of gender. In Luke 10, when Martha complained that Mary was not helping with household tasks, Jesus lovingly corrected her: “Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:42, BSB). Here, Mary’s hunger for God’s Word was not dismissed as secondary; it was celebrated as essential.

Likewise, you cannot teach what you do not know. If you desire to shape your children and disciple younger women, you must first grow in your knowledge of God’s Word. Prioritize time in the Scriptures, seek sound teaching, and engage with trustworthy resources that equip you to understand and apply biblical doctrine. Your efforts will not be wasted. As Proverbs 31:26 declares, “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.”

A Final Encouragement

If you feel inadequate, remember this: God’s power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). He is not looking for perfection; He is looking for faithfulness. Start where you are. Lean on His grace. Be willing to ask questions and grow. As you do, you will find that your ability to love and teach others in truth will expand.

Whether you are raising children, mentoring younger women, or simply sharing life with friends, your investment in biblical literacy will bear fruit for eternity. Be the woman whose life reflects both the love of Christ and the truth of His Word.

And may the next generation rise up and say, “She taught me to love God’s Word—and to love God more.” Amen.