Four years ago, our women’s ministry director stepped aside. This action left a massive hole in our leadership team. We struggled for months to find someone to lead this small group and keep the ministry going. But we covered it in prayer, sought godly wisdom, and looked intently into God’s Word.
In Ephesians 4, Paul urged Christians to “walk worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:1-3). Knowing God has called us into one body and one Spirit gives us great hope because He is above all and through all and in all (vv. 4-6). These powerful verses remind us that God’s Spirit is already at work, calling and leading us to Himself.
Walk Worthy of the Calling
To walk worthy of the calling given, we need to cling to God’s grace and look at the spiritual gifts He has given (vv. 7-8). The apostle Paul listed in his writings various gifts, including teaching, encouragement, mercy, leadership, giving, and more (see Rom. 12:6-8; 1 Cor. 12:28; Eph. 4:11). However, they are not to be used for personal gain but “to equip the saints for the work of ministry” so we all can attain unity and maturity in the faith and grow into the knowledge of the Son of God (vv. 11-16).
Believers are responsible for building up the church with their spiritual gift(s). Women in ministry need to help others discover and utilize their giftings for God’s glory. Everyone must know their gift to do ministry work, fulfilling the Great Commission.
The Power of Small Groups
Women gathering in small groups is a powerful way to build deeper connections and grow spiritually. A close-knit community allows women to share their lives and ask questions to receive feedback. It is also a great way to help each other identify their spiritual gifts. Those who already know their gifting can share valuable insights to help with this process.
A great start for any small group is to pray for God to reveal each woman’s gifts and show her how He wants her to use them. Next, do a Bible study together over the spiritual gifts to better understand them and see how various people used them in Scripture. Then, have each team member take a spiritual gift assessment to provide clues to your gifting. Lifeway provides an excellent assessment to help.
The Discovery Process Revealed
Once each person has taken the assessment, have the women ask godly family members, friends, and their small group for advice or insights. If the response aligns with what the Holy Spirit discloses, encourage an in-depth study of their results. Make sure to emphasize discovering our spiritual gifts is an ongoing process that takes time, a lot of discernment, and listening to the Holy Spirit.
The Role of Leaders in Cultivating Gifts
When women leaders help others find their God-given-gift, we must reflect Christ’s humble heart and be willing to serve and love others. This discipline involves working diligently to keep the Spirit’s unity and remain peaceful by creating an atmosphere where spiritual gifts can grow. Leaders are never to rank gifts, and women should not feel inferior to others. Each person needs to be valued and know her contribution makes a difference.
Offer opportunities for women to grow through training and provide resources like books, workshops, or online courses on spiritual gifts. When women serve and learn together, it promotes growth and builds stronger teams. If some are unsure about their gifts or where to serve, pair them with women mentors to guide and help them explore different areas of ministering to others.
Unleashing Your Team’s Spiritual Gifting
Once a women’s ministry team discovers their spiritual gifts, they can strengthen the ministry and serve others effectively. Below are some of the ways women can serve in small groups.
Leadership
These leaders cast the vision for women’s ministry, and by adopting a Christlike servanthood style, they inspire others to act upon their faith. They can also plan meetings, set goals, and delegate tasks to the team. Women in leadership help team members utilize their spiritual gifts, apply biblical truths, and lead others to worship God. In Exodus 15:20-22, Miriam was a woman with leadership skills who collaborated with her brothers for effective ministry.
Exhortation
Every small group needs encouragers coming alongside them to bring an uplifting word (spoken or written). They are great at discipling new believers, praying, mentoring, and comforting women who are discouraged. Encouragers point people to Jesus and inspire others to remain faithful. A remarkable encourager is Barnabas in Acts 4:36; 9:27; 13:43.
Administration
These women take on stewarding responsibilities of organizing, making lists, and budgeting resources for the ministry. With a love for details, they keep vital records and keep everyone informed and connected, which helps improve the overall team’s efficiency. David had this gift, and we can learn much from his story in 2 Samuel 8:15–10:19.
Hospitality/Serving
Hospitable women love to host events and create welcoming environments for fellowship. They like to prepare food/meals, care for others, and humbly extend God’s love in practical ways. These ladies go above and beyond to provide fantastic fellowship at every event. Luke 10:38-42 mentions Martha, who served Jesus in her home because she had the gift of hospitality.
Mercy
These women extend Christ’s compassion, kindness, and comfort to others. They are phenomenal attributes of any team because they listen empathetically to others. They also create safe spaces for those hurting to share their struggles. We are never more like Jesus than when we show mercy to others. Ephesians 2:4 tells us that God is rich in mercy and loves us greatly.
Teaching
These women can teach Bible studies, lead small groups, develop curriculum, disciple others, and vet resources. They help women, young girls, and children grow spiritually by sharing biblical knowledge. Some even love to teach one-on-one; others write and speak at retreats or conferences to reach a broader audience. Titus 2:3-5 is a beautiful reflection of where older women are to teach younger women.
Evangelism
Women with the gift of evangelism can utilize their gifts by planning fun activities for the community or looking for ways to share the gospel. They can also train the team to share their salvation story, help others have gospel conversations, and build relationships with those outside the church. The Samaritan woman in John 4:4-42 is an excellent example of how evangelism can change the lives of many.
By utilizing our spiritual gifts, a team or small group of women can create an impactful ministry that brings glory to God and blesses the masses. The most crucial aspect is to use your gifts with a servant’s heart, seeking to build up the body of Christ and further His kingdom.
For a complete list of spiritual gifts, see Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:28, and Ephesians 4:11. This article only gives various ideas to help small groups in women’s ministry.
ABOUT DEE HUMPHREY
Dee Humphrey joyously leads the women’s ministry at First Baptist Church in Grove, Oklahoma. With over two decades of experience, she is passionate about teaching the Bible, creating impactful events, and sharing the gospel to draw women into a deeper relationship with God. Dee holds a Master of Divinity in Ministry to Women from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and loves to help women overcome adversity and discover their God-given gifts. She is committed to influencing the next generation to make a kingdom difference. Connect with Dee at @dee_humphrey on Instagram.
