Exercise 2F:

Women in ministry

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Exercise and Aim:

To gain a biblical understanding of God's order and pattern in gender roles as they work out within the church.

Method:

1. What does Genesis 1:26-2:25 teach us about God's order in creation?

2. What happens in Genesis 3 to reverse God's order? What are the consequences of this reversal of God's order?

3. One of the consequences of the cross is the establishment of a new creation, with new relationships and God's order re-established.

4. Read 1 Timothy 2:8-15
   1. What principle is the apostle arguing for in the church (see this in v8, 9, 11 and 15)?

4. 2. What does this not mean Galatians 3:28?

Thinking it through:

a.      Bible committed Christians differ on the outworking of this principle.

b.      We mustn't break fellowship on secondary issues

c.      It will be culturally and contextually different. Some questions that we will differ on include

i.      What is teaching? When is teaching, teaching?

ii.      When is a man, a man?

d.      Headship and teaching are synonymous (!?!)

e.      The Bible assumes women working in gospel ministry (see Acts 18:18f also Romans 16:12,13 et al).

f.       The important thing is that we model the gospel in our church

g.      We need to affirm significant women's ministry (women and children constitute over ¾ of our population).

h.      We need to guard against disguised sexism.

i.        We need to be consistent (eg missionary women).

j.        We need to keep this in perspective. We are not saved by works!

Discuss the following situations:

§         Women as ministers in charge/rectors/bishops

§         Women leading services

§        Women co leading mixed Bible Study groups

§        Women preaching in church

§        Women preaching in training situations