You spoke up and Jo and Steph respond by discussing the stigmas there are against strong women. Why is it that 'assertive' and 'confident' are desirable traits for men, but women with those same characteristics are often seen as threatening and aggressive? Listen in to hear Jo and Steph's personal stories alongside an exploration of how the Biblical word to refer to woman as Adam's 'helper' in Genesis 2:18, did not mean his lesser servant, but something very different…surprisingly different!

Discussion questions:

1) How does it change your perspective of women knowing what the Biblical word 'Ezer' means 'to be strong strong, defend, rescue, protect, cherish' and that the word was most often used to describe God Himself?

2) Read Proverbs 31. How does your understanding of what women should be change knowing this passage was meant of a celebration of what women could freely embrace rather than a tick-list of perfection for women to live up to?

3) What could it look like for you and your church to celebrate women? Where have you / others around you stigmatized women and girls with characteristics of strength rather than celebrated them?

Check out the following resources:

Influential / More than Enchanting - Jo Saxton (same book, different titles depending on your location)

Woman: the full story - Michelle Guiness

Lost women of the Bible - Carolyn Custis James.

Year of Biblical womanhood - Rachel Held Evans

TED talk: Caroline Paul: To raise brave girls, encourage adventure.

'How to empower women in leadership' guide:

www.leadstoriesmedia.com/resources

Follow Lead Stories Podcast to interact with Steph and Jo:

Twitter: @LeadStoriesVox

Instagram: @LeadStoriesPodcast

Facebook: LeadStoriesPodcast

Connect with Jo at: www.josaxton.com @josaxton

Connect with Steph at: www.pastorsteph.com @pastorsteph

Subscribe on iTunes to have the podcast automatically download to your device every week or listen at www.leadstoriespodcast.com

www.leadstoriesmedia.com