GROWING GODLY GIRLS

Here are the bullet points from Sarah Bradley's Most excellent seminar at the BCY residential this year.

Watch out for a new book for girls aged 11-14 that Sarah is writing with The Good Book Company later this year!

There are lots of things that can make it difficult for girls to live godly lives and we have a responsibility to teach the girls in our care. The truth that leads to godliness is found in God’s word. (Titus 1:1-2)

In amongst all the lies that they hear from films, TV, magazines, the internet, friends etc. we must teach them the truth - the truth of the gospel is crucial.

God created men and women: Equal but different.
We must teach our girls to be girls, and teach our boys to be boys. We need to recognise our equality, but also the brilliant God-given differences that we have. 

Three big things that affect girls, and challenge their godly living are

Image, Relationships and Success.

Image:
1 Samuel 16:7; Mark 7:20-23; 1 Peter 3:3-6; Colossians 3:12

The lie: Outward appearance is most important

The truth: God looks at the heart- that needs to be right with him.

Looks will fade, clothes will date or spoil, hair goes grey, skin goes wrinkly… but our relationship with God gets better and better the more that we get to know him. 

Proverbs 31:3 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Relationships:

Romans 8:28; Ephesians 5:1-5.

The lie: If you’re not in a relationship you’re not worth anything, there’s something wrong with you

The truth: Our worth is found in Jesus Christ; we can trust God for the good things in his timing

We want girl to see boys, not just as a potential boyfriend, but as ‘brothers in Christ’ (1 Timothy 5:1-2).  To encourage them to enjoy friendships with boys and girls, not to rush into relationships, and to make sure all their relationships are God centred not self-centred. 

Success
2 Timothy 1:5; Proverbs 31:10-31; Colossians 3:23.

The lie: Girls can and should have it all

The truth: We are created equal but different; we can rejoice in being the women God created us to be

Being a success is living for God in everything, working for him and not the approval of others. Working hard is important, using the gifts and skills that God has given us are important but we shouldn’t teach our girls that a career is the most important thing; they need to know that being a wife and a mother are essential and crucial roles.

Working with girls is a privilege and a joy

If we want to them to grow up to know and love Jesus, and to be godly women, we need to

• Pray for them 
• Teach them  
• Support them 
• Model godly living to them