Virtuous: A Study for Ladies of Every Age

This book highlights what the Bible has to say about a Christian woman's highest duty, what it looks like to be a leading woman in one's community, and what it means to pursue virtue when everyone else thinks it's no longer important (all of which together are no small challenge, when think about it—but of course, we have the Holy Spirit to do all things through Christ). This encouraging little book includes application questions and assignments which should both challenge individuals and give groups much food for thought.

From the Book:

"Feminine virtue includes a toughness that we may not normally associate with it. Boaz told Ruth, 'All the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman' (Ruth 3:11). This word 'virtuous' is the feminine equivalent of a Hebrew phrase translated 'man of great wealth' (Geneva Study Bible). In other words, a woman with this kind of reputation has influence and moral authority; she has standing in her community. She is a woman of stature. We might think of some of the 'leading women' of the community referred to in Acts 17:4, who 'joined Paul and Silas.' And Proverbs 12:4 says that 'An excellent wife is the crown of her husband.' An 'excellent wife' is translated literally as 'a wife of valor.' So I think we can safely say that all virtue must include a manly kind of courage. Women would do well to think of themselves in this way, rather than assuming that a virtuous woman is a retiring, Victorian stereotype who shrinks away from getting her hands dirty." -From the book