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In Genesis 1, God creates male and female in His image and commands them to be fruitful and multiple. They are told to fill the earth and take dominion. In Genesis 2, Adam is told to work the garden and we see that it is not good for him to be alone. He needs a helper suitable to him so that they can care for the garden that God has planted. They are to spread the image of God through the whole earth which is quite difficult because of their fall. In Genesis 3, that curse addresses man and the work he is given to do. It also addresses woman and the work she is given to do.

In this audio message, Jason Dohm discusses the topic of the relationship between headship and the mission given to Christian families. He explains that they are inextricably connected. God instructs that their mission is to fill the earth and multiply and to subdue it. A wife is to be a helper. Genesis lays out both our mission and a clear hierarchy of gender and specific roles. Psalm 5:8 (NKJV) - "Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered." This message is entitled: "Headship and Family Mission" by Jason Dohm at the 2021 "Getting the Picture Right - In Your First Ten Years of Marriage" Retreat.

Scott Brown explains in this audio message that both spouses should strive to promote respect for each promote and be good listeners. Simply put, both spouses should be easy to live with. He brings out four rules that we can apply when it comes to speaking to each other in marriage from the book of Proverbs. The first one comes from Proverbs 15:1 -- the tone of your voice matters. Proverbs 15:1 (NKJV) - "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."

Jason Dohm provides three encouraging reminders for discouraged mothers to keep in mind. One of those reminders is for mothers to keep going as Galatians 6:9 exhorts us to do. Don't give up. Even if life as a mother is difficult or trying, their work is important and needed. Motherhood is a noble calling. Galatians 6:9 (NKJV) - "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."

Trent Moody explains in this video that while they are in the home, your daughters can help their mother with younger siblings if they have them. Through this, they will learn service. He shares that in his family, his daughter enjoys writing, so she is working on writing a book. We need to help them build their trust in the Lord. Romans 12:10-11 (NKJV) - "Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord."

Tom Ford explains in this video that often, a wife and mother choosing to stay home to raise her family is looked down upon by the world. If a woman has a certain education, they believe that she is wasting that education to train her children. And yet, we see in Scripture that her priority should be to teach and train her children and to be her husband's helpmeet. Proverbs 31:10 (NKJV) - "Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies."

Gary Powers explains in this video that if a mother is discouraged, it is important for her to keep her eyes on Christ. Depend on Him and you will find strength and encouragement. That is the same for any person. When we are feeling discouraged with life, we can trust in the fact that He is all sufficient. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV) - "And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

In Titus 2, the Apostle Paul says that older women in the church should teach a number of good things to the younger women, including to be “homemakers” or “keepers at home” or “workers at home,” depending on the translation. As the cultural tide advances, this has been whittled away to nothing and died the death of a thousand qualifications. But the truth is, what Paul teaches in this text is perfectly consistent with the unified counsel of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation, revealing a glorious role and calling to rejoice in which Christians should never hesitate to embrace or defend.

“Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence.” These, friends, are fighting words in almost every context of our world today. Contrary to claims made by those who oppose this truth, these words do not mean that women are second-class Christians and have no purpose in the church or worship. Women have a precious role in the corporate worship of the Lord’s people and the life of the church.

As Christians, we are obligated to uphold Scripture as the primary authority of determining our views of sex and gender. In evaluating the ongoing confusion in our culture on these topics we need to begin by examining God’s original Edenic intent and the beauty of the role distinctions and the divine creation order and consider how those distinctions are maintained through scripture and history. In the end, biblically minded Christians must seek a Christ-exalting, Gospel-centered path forward despite the confusion of our times.

When it comes to the biblical view of the nature and roles of men and women, there are two basic camps: egalitarians and complementarians. Both positions teach that man and woman are created equal in worth and dignity as creatures made in the image of God. However, egalitarians take that principle and conclude that therefore there is no distinction in role or hierarchy between the sexes in society, family, or the church. Complementarians, however, see that scripture lays out distinct roles for the sexes from creation and those roles are good and wise God-given gifts to help his creatures flourish.

The Bible is explicitly, clearly, and unashamedly gender-binary: there is male and female, each made in the image of God. In this created order God made the two sexes to be equal in nature and worth but distinct in role. The woman was made to help her husband, be a keeper at home, and to nurture children. This is the general course for women laid out in scripture (though there will of course be exceptions in the providence of God) and this beautiful picture of womanhood needs to be re-embraced in Christ's church today.