A spiritual leader has to have a mothering side and a fathering side.

This by God's design, there is the need for us to be both father and mother to our spiritual

children.

The balance of these two is essential for effective spiritual leadership.

Thank you. is essential for effective spiritual leadership. Welcome to Grace to You with John MacArthur.

I'm your host, Phil Johnson.

About a decade ago, the National Academy of Sciences finished an in-depth study of the brains of males and

females. Their conclusion, men and women think differently. In general, men tend to be more

logical than women, while women tend to be more emotional than men. Now, if you find yourself

saying, you mean scientists have just now figured that out?

I'm right there with you. Certainly, the bottom line is the differences in thinking between men and women

are nothing new. That's part of God's design. But does that mean that there's no overlap between how men and

women think? or no overlap between

the roles that they should have in the family and society or even in the church? Don't women

need to be strong and show leadership at times, and don't men need to display a gentle,

caring affection like a mother with a young child in certain situations.

Consider all of that today as John MacArthur continues his current study leading the charge.

And now here's John with the lesson.

We return to First Thessalonians chapter 2 and our text verses 7 through 12.

The title we have given to this section is parental pictures of a spiritual leader.

I am constantly amazed at how much the New Testament says about spiritual leadership in the church.

As one who has studied for many, many years the New Testament, I see again and again the

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