Never the last word… a new creation.
Questions for Home Groups or Private Reflection
Here is the list of points reviewing what we have said in this series. The Biblical bacvk up is in all the sermons in the series.
So here is the story we have traced
- God made us male and female.
- We are equal in created worth, value, dignity, equal in spirit.
- We are different – in body and soul. We think, feel, and act differently, and have some complementary roles.
- Whatever differences were there in creation have been reinforced and exaggerated by the fall. Male became master. Female became follower. It is all in the Genesis story
- The OT gives us many examples of mould breaking women, but the order of creation and especially the fall dominates the story.
- Women in Israel were intended to enjoy greater respect and honour than was normal in the other nations around; a sign of what was to come.
- The New Testament is different. From the beginning of the Gospels’ story women are more prominent than appeared possible through the Old Covenant times.
- Women were accorded a new place in the revelation of the Messiah, from Elizabeth.
- Women played a full part in Jesus group, except that 12 men were chosen as the first disciples – representing the 12 tribes of Israel, and the ‘new’ Israel perhaps.
- It seems women may have been the financial sponsors of much of Jesus ministry.
- Women were prominent as observers and reporters at the death and resurrection of Jesus.
- Women played a full part in the mission activity of the early church, including engagement in church planting and discipling.
- Women played a full part in the gatherings of the early church, including prophesying and praying in the group.
- The apostle Paul placed restrictions on the teaching role of women in the churches he oversaw and wrote to – they were not to undermine, take over from, dominate or challenge the authority of the men who led and taught the church. They were to respect the order of creation and the society in which they lived.
- Whatever they did therefore was to be done under the authority of the eldership.
PLEASE HAVE THIS DISCUSSION WITH A LOT OF MUTUAL RESPECT AND CARE
- Should Christian men and women have a different attitude to one another than is found in the rest of society? If so, describe the change we should expect, and why?
- Is there anything in the list above that surprises you , that you don’t remember being said? Maybe someone can fill in the gaps.
- Is there anything here you disagree with or are uncertain about?
- The crucial question – why did Paul write in the way he did? Hopefully the series has given you at least the preacher’s answer.
- Our planned next step is to have a church vote proposing that we allow the possibility of women to speak on Sundays if they are able, willing, asked , and accept their role in relation to the elders. Discuss any reservation anyone has about that, and why? Don’t get into an argument – just listen to each other please.