In the heart of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Cheri Dobbs, the Director of Women’s Ministry at Grace Church, is on a mission to empower women through the transformative power of God’s Word. Her journey is one of unity, clarity, and a deep conviction that Scripture must be at the center of everything.
Cheri’s role is not just about teaching Scripture but equipping women to understand, apply, and pass on its truths. She envisions every woman growing in her ability to engage with God’s Word, hear His voice, think biblically, and live in obedience. Through structured Bible studies, teaching environments, and discipleship opportunities, Cheri aims to keep Christ and His Word central, fostering both knowledge and love for Him.
Addressing the Need for Unity and Clarity
As Cheri became more involved in women’s ministry, she noticed a growing need for greater unity and clarity of purpose. The ministry often felt fragmented, with different studies operating independently and leaders having separate visions. This lack of cohesion made it difficult to cultivate a shared direction or fully invest in what mattered most.
Cheri recognized that many women were attending and participating, but there wasn’t a clear, unified pathway for discipleship. Women studied different materials and moved in different directions, limiting opportunities for deeper connection and corporate growth. She saw a need to bring women together around the same vision, enabling them to learn individually and grow collectively as a body at Grace Church.
Simultaneously, the Men’s Pastor at Grace Church began focusing on two offerings: a Bible study and Every Man a Warrior. Inspired by this, Women’s Ministry also offered one Bible study option and True Woman classes. Cheri and her leaders wanted to see women study biblical womanhood across all generations and live it out in their relationships, homes, and church community.
The Importance of Teaching Biblical Womanhood
Cheri believes that churches must intentionally teach biblical womanhood because we can no longer assume women will learn it on their own. In previous generations, many biblical ideas about gender, marriage, and relationships were reinforced at church and by culture. Today, the current worldview emphasizes autonomy, independence, and self-definition apart from God’s design.
Biblical womanhood is not a secondary issue but a discipleship issue. Scripture presents men and women as equal in value but distinct in role, designed to reflect God’s glory together. When these distinctions are misunderstood or ignored, it leads to confusion about identity and brokenness in relationships, marriage, and the church.
Studying true womanhood fits directly into the It helps women understand who they are in Christ and how to live that out in everyday life. This teaching equips women to think biblically and discern truth in a culture that often distorts or opposes God’s design. Without intentional teaching, women are left to absorb ideas from the world that subtly shape their beliefs and expectations.
Ultimately, teaching biblical womanhood strengthens not only individual women but the entire church. As women grow in their understanding of God’s design, they are better equipped to disciple others, build healthy relationships, and contribute to a unified, gospel-centered community.
Transformational Testimonies
The impact of Cheri’s teachings is evident in the testimonies of the women who have gone through the material. One woman shared how the lessons changed her mindset, helping her overcome the lies she had believed about men and independence. Another woman struggled with submitting to her husband but found transformation through the teachings, leading to a renewed relationship with her husband and God.
A woman in her thirties battled condemning thoughts that affected her marriage and parenting. Through a study called Lies Women Believe, she experienced freedom and joy as God revealed the lies she had been believing. Her husband noticed the difference, and she became passionate about helping other women experience the same freedom.
Another woman, who grew up in a home marked by domestic abuse, found clarity and hope through the teachings. She struggled with PTSD and anxiety but learned to fix her eyes on God and function as a soft, strong woman. She now feels hopeful and understands what it means to be a biblical woman.
These testimonies highlight the profound impact of teaching true womanhood. Women have experienced mindset shifts, improved marriages, and a deeper understanding of their identity in Christ.
Advice for Pastoral Teams and Women Facing Opposition
For pastoral teams uncertain about teaching biblical womanhood, Cheri encourages them to evaluate the material through the lens of Scripture, not culture. True Woman operates within a complementarian framework rooted in the Genesis narrative and reinforced throughout the New Testament. It presents a biblical vision where men and women are equal in value but distinct in role.
Cheri advises women facing opposition to respond with humility, patience, and respect while remaining grounded in conviction. She suggests inviting leadership to explore the material together, asking thoughtful questions, and trusting the Lord with the outcome. The goal is not to win an argument but to walk faithfully in what Scripture teaches.
Practical Steps for Leading Women to True Womanhood
Cheri offers practical advice for those feeling called to lead women to a deeper understanding of true womanhood. She suggests starting with seasoned women in the church and inviting them to invest in the material alongside the women they are already discipling. This approach allows the content to be processed in the context of a trusted relationship.
She recommends leveraging existing discipleship relationships and encouraging mature women to invite those they are already investing in. This allows the content to be applied together in a meaningful way. Cheri also advises using the material as a tool to understand biblical womanhood and allowing it to grow organically.
Equipping women to facilitate the material is another key step. Many of the women who led in Cheri’s ministry were not Bible scholars but were surrendered women willing to help guide discussion and create space for women to engage with the content.
Cheri’s journey at Grace Church is a testament to the transformative power of teaching true womanhood. Her passion and dedication have not only empowered women but also strengthened the entire church community.
