The call for biblical womanhood is here and now, regardless of your station in life, and it’s not when you’re married or have your first child.

The majority of churches plan their women’s programs around being a godly wife or a good mother. These aren’t bad goals of course, but when your women’s ministry is centered on these goals, you are making marriage or motherhood the finish line.

Women’s ministries should be driven by the glory of God and making him known in women’s lives. Instead of preparing women for marriage and motherhood, prepare them for the life to come—eternity. Their families will be far more affected if you feed their souls than if you teach them how to feed their stomachs.

Begin by teaching women how to study the Bible

The author of Hebrews writes “For the word of God is living and active” (Heb. 4:12). Women don’t primarily need devotionals—they need the living and active Word of God. One of the primary ways we can know the Lord and how to live in light of eternity is by reading God’s Word. Educate women to be shaped by Scripture.

Train women in good theology

By teaching a woman good theology, you enable her to be a better worshiper of the Lord in the church, in culture, the home, and the workplace. Theology gives her an understanding of who God is and what he does and how he’s made her.

Train women in godliness

As Paul writes, “Train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come” (1 Tim. 4:7–8). Teach the women in your church to pursue godliness because character is longer lasting than beauty (Prov. 31:30).

Train women to finish strong

Women need to know how to live in light of eternity, not temporary finish lines or milestones. “For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe” (1 Tim. 4:10). When women live in light of temporary finish lines, we are teaching them to put their identity in the finish line instead of Christ.