WONDER WOMEN
Femininity has gotten a bad reputation in the world of sports. Apparently it’s not OK to be anything less than He-Man® if you want to dribble a basketball or swing a bat. Maybe the athletic world has developed an aversion to femininity because it doesn’t know what it truly means—what it was created to be by its divine Author.
What is your personal definition of femininity, and how did you get this definition?
Do you see your femininity as a strength or weakness? Why?
THINK IT THROUGH
Dresses, shopping, flirting, shoes, nail polish and chocolate. That’s femininity, right? Isn’t that what we’re taught? In order to be a woman, we have to play with dolls and find our purpose in the mall?
OK, there’s nothing wrong with Barbies® and shopping. (Unless you’re playing with dolls at age 22. Then we need to do a completely separate study.) But there is something wrong with defining womanhood by superficial and limiting characteristics.
What things do you associate with femininity?
Would you include any of your athletic gear, or do you associate these items more with masculinity? Why or why not?
Throughout history, sports predominantly have been associated with men. Only in the 1900s did it become normal for women to participate in physical competition. Considering the length of time mankind has been around, that makes women’s sports still in its infancy and the stereotypical athlete is still a man. Which can make it difficult for women to embrace their feminine identity if they want to be taken seriously as an athlete. But what if you could be all woman and still be a competitive, focused athlete?
Thankfully, you can. By reading God’s Word you can discover that there’s more to women than frills and lace. There’s a brave soul waiting to bring glory to her Father by embracing who she is in Him: a strong, capable daughter of the King.
Have you ever felt the need to “man up” and behave like members of the guys’ teams? If so, why?
How does this carry over into your lifestyle off the court or field?
Who are you trying to please when you pursue masculine emotions or behaviors?
THE WORD
To live in your identity as a strong woman of God, you must fully embrace the Truth of Scripture, which can derail the lies of the enemy. Because, if God equipped you for the athletic arena, He certainly made you to live out His purpose in it. So, let’s take a look at His Truth.
First, the basics. Genesis 1:27 says, “So God created man in His own image; He created him in the image of God; He created them male and female.” The most basic truth is that you are a woman—distinctly different than a man—created in the image of God.
Next, consider Peter 3:3-6, which offers two points: “Your beauty should not consist of outward things like elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold ornaments or fine clothes. Instead, it should consist of what is inside the heart with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very valuable in God’s eyes. For in the past, the holy women who put their hope in God also beautified themselves in this way, submitting to their own husbands, just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. You have become her children when you do what is good and are not frightened by anything alarming.”
(Note: This passage doesn’t say you can’t wear jewelry or fancy clothes; it says that these aren’t the source of our beauty.)
The godly woman has a gentle and quiet spirit, rooted in faith.
And, just like Abraham’s wife, Sarah, she does what is right and refuses to fear. Doesn’t this sound like an amazing woman? Maybe even a fantastic competitor? She has inner peace and isn’t shaken when a bad call comes her way. While she may want to say something back to a trash-talking opponent, she doesn’t have to because she’s got a gentle and quiet spirit and can let it go and play the game. She does what is right and helps her adversary up after a collision. And she’s not afraid of anything—including last-second shots and game-winning runs. She’s a brilliant light for Christ on the playing field, that’s for sure!
Now let’s examine the ultimate godly woman of Proverbs 31. Read verses 10-31 and note what attributes of the Wife of Noble Character displays that require physical, mental or emotional strength. How do her traits apply to sports?
TAKEAWAY POINT:
Ladies, right now let’s kill the lie that women are sissies and that you have to be anything other than who you are to be taken seriously as an athlete. Because the fact is that you ARE a woman, and God created you that way on purpose according to His good plan. The enemy will try to confuse you as to how you fit into the athletic arena and will make you think that the woman you are isn’t good enough. He will tell you that you have to be harder, more masculine or less emotional if you want to be taken seriously.
But that’s a lie. The daughter God made you is more than good enough.
In what ways have you struggled to find your identity as a woman and as a competitor?
How can a woman be both strong and gentle?
TEAM TIME
As a team, work together to challenge each other in these areas:
ACTIVITY:
Discuss the misconceptions you’ve had regarding a goldy woman. Use a flip chart or white board to record the characteristics of a real biblical woman vs. the stereotypical version. (e.g. brave vs. timid, real vs. superficial/fake, etc.)
Now open an honest discussion about femininity.
• How do you view it?
• Do you believe it is weakness?
• What is it really?
Discuss the struggle to find your identity as women who are competitors. What internal battles come with being a female and an athlete?
Using what you know about the following biblical women, relate their situations to sports scenarios. Talk about how their characteristics can apply to your lives on the court or field. (e.g. Esther had to approach the king despite being greatly afraid. What athletic situations involve fear and bravery?)
Esther—Esther 4:12-17; 5:1-8, 7:1-10
Mary—Luke 1:26-38; Matthew 1:18-25
Rahab—Joshua 2
Close by letting each teammate answer the questions, “What is God saying to me, and how will I respond?”
WORK IT OUT
Time to come together as a team and fight the enemy, who wants to slay your feminine identity and cause confusion. Select one or more of the following activities to complete throughout the next week to remind yourselves who you are as God’s daughters.
Post related Scripture verses in your lockers and on your locker room mirrors.
Text, Tweet, Facebook, Snapchat or Instagram encouraging verses to each other daily. (Almost any social media site will work.)
Memorize Proverbs 31:25 or one of the other verses from this study.
Read the book of Esther as a group and discuss it throughout the week.
RALLY CRY:
Once you have your plan of action, couple it with this week’s Bold and Beautiful Rally Cry. As a team, this will be your power phrase for the week. Repeat it when lies come to your mind; write it on your athletic tape; say it to each other; and remember the verses behind it.
“STRENGTH AND HONOR!”
PROVERBS 31:25