Life Lessons Just for Women

In a culture that often equates value with appearance and social status, this series calls women to the higher pursuit of godly character. Pastor Chuck Swindoll provides biblical insights for women in every stage of life—whether single or married, a mother or a grandmother. By exploring the classic portrait of the “Proverbs 31 woman” and the New Testament’s call to submission and strength, these messages define what it means to be a woman of substance who leaves a lasting spiritual legacy.

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1. The Woman Who Fears the Lord (Proverbs 31:10–31)

• Overview: A survey of the foundational quality that defines a woman of substance. It focuses on the “fear of the Lord” as the root of wisdom, industry, and beauty.
• Key Fact: Biblical womanhood is not about perfection, but about the direction of the heart toward God’s priorities.
• Scripture: Proverbs 31:30 – “Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.”

2. Tips on Being a Terrific Mother (2 Timothy 1:5; 3:14–15)

• Overview: Addresses the unique influence of a mother. Chuck uses the examples of Lois and Eunice to show how a mother’s sincere faith provides a secure foundation for the next generation.
• Key Fact: Motherhood is a high calling of “quiet influence,” where the most important work often happens in small, unnoticed moments of teaching and prayer.
• Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:5 – “For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice.”

3. What Submission Really Means (1 Peter 3:1–6)

• Overview: Corrects common misconceptions about the biblical concept of submission. It is presented not as a loss of identity, but as a “disposition of the heart” that trusts in God’s protection.
• Key Fact: True submission is a spiritual strength that can win over others “without a word” because it relies on the internal beauty of a gentle spirit.
• Scripture: 1 Peter 3:4 – “But let it be the hidden person of the heart… which is precious in the sight of God.”

4. Strength and Dignity on Parade (Proverbs 31:10–31)

• Overview: The series conclusion, examining the “clothing” of a godly woman. It explores the concepts of “strength” (internal resilience) and “dignity” (honorable conduct) that allow a woman to “smile at the future.”
• Key Fact: When a woman is anchored in God, she does not have to fear the “winter” of old age or the uncertainties of tomorrow.
• Scripture: Proverbs 31:25 – “Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future.”

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Common Questions: Life Lessons Just for Women

1. Is the Proverbs 31 woman a “perfect” standard that I have to meet? No. As Pastor Chuck explains in “The Woman Who Fears the Lord,” Proverbs 31 is an acrostic poem designed to praise the results of a life lived for God, not a checklist for every woman to complete every day. The focus is on the character of the woman, not just her chores.

2. Does “submission” mean a woman has no voice or opinion? In “What Submission Really Means,” it is clarified that submission is a voluntary act of trust in God’s order, modeled by Christ Himself. It is not about being a “doormat,” but about having a “gentle and quiet spirit” that is powerful enough to influence a home for good.

3. What can a mother do if she feels like her influence isn’t making a difference? Drawing from the lives of Lois and Eunice, Chuck encourages mothers to realize that spiritual influence is often a “long-term investment.” The faith you model today may not bear fruit until years later, but a “sincere faith” is never wasted.

4. How does a woman of substance “smile at the future”? According to the final message, this ability comes from being clothed in “strength and dignity.” When a woman’s security is found in her relationship with the Lord rather than her circumstances or her looks, she can face aging and trials with a sense of peace and confidence.

5. How do these lessons apply to single women? The core principles—fearing the Lord, building internal strength, and exercising godly influence—are universal. Whether in the home, the workplace, or the church, a woman’s “substance” is defined by her character and her walk with God, regardless of her marital status.