WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP: CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVES ON WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP IN THE 21ST CENTURY

About Course

This transformative course provides a thorough and nuanced assessment of the role of women in leadership through the framework of Christian beliefs and values. By examining biblical accounts of women in leadership, such as Esther, Deborah, and the woman of Proverbs 31, as well as the contributions of contemporary Christian women leaders to global development, students will gain a deeper understanding of God’s design for women in leadership and their potential to make a meaningful and lasting impact in society. Through a combination of biblical teaching, practical application, and personal reflection, this course will equip students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to effectively lead and serve in various settings, including ministry, business, education, and community development, while embracing their faith and values, and cultivating a deeper sense of purpose and calling.

Course Objectives:

To understand the biblical perspective on women’s leadership
To develop leadership skills and strategies for effective leadership
To apply biblical principles to leadership in various contexts
To empower women to take on leadership roles in their communities

Course Content

Module 1: Introduction to Women in Leadership

Topic: Defining Women’s Leadership in the 21st Century
Objective: To understand the concept of women’s leadership and its significance in the 21st century.
Learning Outcomes: Define women’s leadership, identify the importance of women’s leadership, and explain the biblical perspective on women’s leadership.
Biblical Text: Genesis 2:18. “The Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.'” Explanation: This verse highlights the equal value and importance of women in God’s plan.
Book Reading: Pierce, B. J., & Groothuis, R. (2014). Discovering biblical equality: Complementarity without hierarchy. InterVarsity Press. (Chapters 1-2).
Assignment: Write a 500-word essay on the concept of women’s leadership and its significance in the 21st century. Reflect on your own experiences with women in leadership positions. What qualities did they exhibit that made them effective leaders?

Module 2: Biblical Foundations of Women’s Leadership

Module 3: Jesus and Women

Topic: A New Paradigm for Women’s Leadership
Objective: To examine Jesus’ interactions with women and their implications for women’s leadership.
Learning Outcomes: Analyze Jesus’ interactions with women, explain the significance of these interactions, and discuss their implications for women’s leadership.
Biblical Text: John 4:7-30. Explanation: This passage highlights Jesus’ conversation with the Samaritan woman, demonstrating his willingness to engage with women and value their contributions.
Book Reading: Keener, C. S. (2012). The Gospel of John: A commentary. Baker Academic. (Chapters 4-5).
Assignment: Write a 500-word essay on Jesus’ interactions with women and their implications for women’s leadership. Reflect on how Jesus’ interactions with women can inform your own interactions with women in leadership positions.

Module 4: Women in Ministry

Module 5: Leadership Styles

Module 6: Effective Communication

Module 7: Conflict Resolution

Module 8: Emotional Intelligence

Module 9: Building a Support Network

Topic: The Importance of Relationships in Leadership
Objective: To understand the importance of building a support network in leadership.
Learning Outcomes: Explain the importance of relationships in leadership, identify strategies for building a support network, and discuss their applications.
Biblical Text: Proverbs 27:17. “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Explanation: This verse highlights the importance of relationships in personal and professional growth.
Book Reading: Ortberg, R. (2014). All the places to go…how will you know?: God has placed before you an open door. Tyndale House Publishers. (Chapters 5-6).
Assignment: Write a 500-word essay on the importance of building a support network in leadership. Identify three people in your network who can provide support and guidance in your leadership journey.

Module 10: Leadership and Spiritual Growth

Module 11: Women in Leadership in the Church

Module 12: Empowering Women for Leadership

Module 13: Overcoming Obstacles

Topic: Challenges Facing Women in Leadership
Objective: To identify and address common obstacles facing women in leadership.
Learning Outcomes: Identify common obstacles facing women in leadership, explain their impact, and discuss strategies for overcoming them.
Biblical Text: 1 Corinthians 16:13-14. “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.” This passage encourages believers to stand firm in the face of challenges and to act with courage and strength.
Book Reading: Evans, R. M. (2015). The women’s leadership forum: Empowering women to lead. AuthorHouse. (Chapters 10-11).
Assignment: Write a 500-word essay on common obstacles facing women in leadership and strategies for overcoming them. Create a personal action plan for overcoming obstacles in your own leadership journey.

Module 14: Embracing Diversity and Inclusion

Topic: Strategies for Women in Leadership
Objective: To develop strategies for embracing diversity and inclusion in leadership.
Learning Outcomes: Explain the importance of diversity and inclusion, identify strategies for embracing diversity and inclusion, and discuss their applications.
Biblical Text: Revelation 7:9. “After this I looked, & there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people & language, standing before the throne & before the Lamb. The diversity of & body of Christ.
Book Reading: Pierce, B. J., & Groothuis, R. (2014). Discovering biblical equality: Complementarity without hierarchy. InterVarsity Press. (Chapters 11-12).
Assignment: Write a 500-word essay on strategies for embracing diversity and inclusion in leadership. Develop a plan for promoting diversity and inclusion in your own leadership.

Module 15: Integrating Biblical Models into Practice

Module 16: Creating a Personal Leadership Development Plan

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About Course

What Will You Learn?

Course Content

Module 1: Introduction to Women in Leadership

Topic: Defining Women’s Leadership in the 21st Century

Objective: To understand the concept of women’s leadership and its significance in the 21st century.

Learning Outcomes: Define women’s leadership, identify the importance of women’s leadership, and explain the biblical perspective on women’s leadership.

Biblical Text: Genesis 2:18. “The Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.'” Explanation: This verse highlights the equal value and importance of women in God’s plan.

Book Reading: Pierce, B. J., & Groothuis, R. (2014). Discovering biblical equality: Complementarity without hierarchy. InterVarsity Press. (Chapters 1-2).

Assignment: Write a 500-word essay on the concept of women’s leadership and its significance in the 21st century. Reflect on your own experiences with women in leadership positions. What qualities did they exhibit that made them effective leaders?

Module 2: Biblical Foundations of Women’s Leadership

Topic: Women in Leadership in the Old Testament

Objective: To examine the role of women in leadership in the Old Testament.

Learning Outcomes: Identify examples of women in leadership in the Old Testament, explain their roles and responsibilities, and analyze their impact on their communities.

Bible Reading: This verse highlights Deborah’s leadership role as a Biblical Text: Judges 4:4. “Deborah, a prophet, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading prophet and judge.

Book Reading: Tenney, M. C. (2013). The Bible’s women of courage. Bethany House Publishers. (Chapters 3-4).

Assignment: Write a 500-word essay on the role of women in leadership in the Old Testament. Create a timeline of women in leadership in the Old Testament. Highlight their achievements and challenges.

Module 3: Jesus and Women

Topic: A New Paradigm for Women’s Leadership

Objective: To examine Jesus’ interactions with women and their implications for women’s leadership.

Learning Outcomes: Analyze Jesus’ interactions with women, explain the significance of these interactions, and discuss their implications for women’s leadership.

Biblical Text: John 4:7-30. Explanation: This passage highlights Jesus’ conversation with the Samaritan woman, demonstrating his willingness to engage with women and value their contributions.

Book Reading: Keener, C. S. (2012). The Gospel of John: A commentary. Baker Academic. (Chapters 4-5).

Assignment: Write a 500-word essay on Jesus’ interactions with women and their implications for women’s leadership. Reflect on how Jesus’ interactions with women can inform your own interactions with women in leadership positions.

Module 4: Women in Ministry

Topic: Biblical Examples and Contemporary Applications

Objective: To examine biblical examples of women in ministry and their relevance to contemporary contexts.

Learning Outcomes: Identify biblical examples of women in ministry, explain their roles and responsibilities, and discuss their implications for women in ministry today.

Biblical Text: Acts 18:26. This verse highlights Priscilla’s role as a teacher and leader in the early church.

Book Reading: Spencer, A. D. (2012). Beyond the curse: Women called to ministry. Baker Books. (Chapters 6-7).

Assignment: Write a 500-word essay on biblical examples of women in ministry and their relevance to contemporary contexts. Research and present on a contemporary example of a woman in ministry, highlighting her achievements and challenges.

Module 5: Leadership Styles

Topic: Biblical Models for Women’s Leadership

Objective: To examine biblical models of leadership and their applications for women.

Learning Outcomes: Identify biblical models of leadership, explain their characteristics and strengths, and discuss their implications for women’s leadership.

Biblical Text: Proverbs 31:10-31. Explanation: This passage describes the characteristics of a virtuous woman, including her leadership and management skills.

Book Reading: Clinton, R. (2015). The making of a leader: Recognizing the lessons and stages of leadership development. NavPress. (Chapters 10-11).

Assignment: Write a 500-word essay on biblical models of leadership and their applications for women. Reflect on your own leadership style and identify areas for growth and development.

Module 6: Effective Communication

Topic: Strategies for Women in Leadership

Objective: To develop effective communication strategies for women in leadership.

Learning Outcomes: Explain the importance of effective communication, identify strategies for effective communication, and discuss their applications.

Biblical Text: Proverbs 16:24. “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” Explanation: This verse highlights the importance of gracious and healing words in communication.

Book Reading: Oliver, D. (2014). Leading from the heart: Women’s journeys to public service. Routledge. (Chapters 12-13).

Assignment: Write a 500-word essay on effective communication strategies for women in leadership. Practice active listening and ask open-ended questions in a conversation with a colleague or friend.

Module 7: Conflict Resolution

Topic: Strategies for Women in Leadership

Objective: To develop effective conflict resolution strategies for women in leadership.

Learning Outcomes: Explain the importance of conflict resolution, identify strategies for effective conflict resolution, and discuss their applications.

Biblical Text: Matthew 5:9. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Explanation: This verse highlights the importance of peacemaking and conflict resolution.

Book Reading: Sande, K. (2014). Resolving everyday conflict. Baker Books. (Chapters 5-6).

Assignment: Write a 500-word essay on effective conflict resolution strategies for women in leadership. Role-play a conflict resolution scenario with a colleague or friend.

Module 8: Emotional Intelligence

Topic: A Key Component of Effective Leadership

Objective: To understand the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership.

Learning Outcomes: Define emotional intelligence, explain its importance in leadership, and discuss strategies for developing emotional intelligence.

Biblical Text: Proverbs 14:1. “The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.” Explanation: This verse highlights the importance of wisdom and self-awareness in leadership.

Book Reading: Goleman, D. (1995). Emotional intelligence: Why it can matter more than IQ. Bantam Books. (Chapters 1-2).

Assignment: Write a 500-word essay on the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership. Take an emotional intelligence assessment and reflect on your results.

Module 9: Building a Support Network

Topic: The Importance of Relationships in Leadership

Objective: To understand the importance of building a support network in leadership.

Learning Outcomes: Explain the importance of relationships in leadership, identify strategies for building a support network, and discuss their applications.

Biblical Text: Proverbs 27:17. “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Explanation: This verse highlights the importance of relationships in personal and professional growth.

Book Reading: Ortberg, R. (2014). All the places to go…how will you know?: God has placed before you an open door. Tyndale House Publishers. (Chapters 5-6).

Assignment: Write a 500-word essay on the importance of building a support network in leadership. Identify three people in your network who can provide support and guidance in your leadership journey.

Module 10: Leadership and Spiritual Growth

Topic: Integrating Faith and Leadership

Objective: To understand the importance of integrating faith and leadership.

Learning Outcomes: Explain the importance of spiritual growth in leadership, identify strategies for integrating faith and leadership, and discuss their applications.

Biblical Text: Psalm 119:105. “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Explanation: This verse highlights the importance of God’s Word in guiding our decisions and actions.

Book Reading: Clinton, R. (2015). The making of a leader: Recognizing the lessons and stages of leadership development. NavPress. (Chapters 12-13).

Assignment: Write a 500-word essay on the importance of integrating faith and leadership. Reflect on how your faith informs your leadership decisions and actions.

Module 11: Women in Leadership in the Church

Topic: Biblical Examples and Contemporary Applications

Objective: To examine biblical examples of women in leadership in the church and their relevance to contemporary contexts.

Learning Outcomes: Identify biblical examples of women in leadership in the church, explain their roles and responsibilities, and discuss their implications for women in leadership today.

Biblical Text: Romans 16:1-2. This verse highlights Phoebe’s leadership role as a deacon in the early church.

Book Reading: Spencer, A. D. (2012). Beyond the curse: Women called to ministry. Baker Books. (Chapters 8-9).

Assignment: Write a 500-word essay on biblical women in church leadership, applying their examples to modern contexts. Include a case study of a contemporary woman church leader, discussing her achievements and challenges.