This is part three of a series on gender issues, showing from Scripture that elders are to be male.
Lecture Outline Detailed Outline Remember ItProphesying or speaking in tongues (in the context), or questioning the teaching. No one suggests that it refers to women refraining from singing.
The elder qualifications are listed in masculine terms. For example, an elder should be the husband of one wife, he should exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict it (a woman could not do this with a man according to 2 Tim. 2).
Does it involve teaching Scripture or doctrine, or leading men in the church?
- Is it permissible for a woman to be the Sunday School superintendent, or the leader over the entire Sunday School? Does it matter if you call that role “coordinator?” Does it matter if one of the teachers is male? Why or why not?
- If there are no men willing or able to lead in the church, would it be permissible for woman to step into those roles (following the example of Deborah in the OT)? What about a single woman missionary or evangelist to teach new male converts if there are no capable Christian men around?
- Does Acts 18:24-26 provide an exception to women not teaching men? Or does it only allow the possibility of a woman in partnership with her husband teaching men. Is there a difference between “teaching” and “explaining” (which all major translations use in this verse).
- Find a godly woman who is gifted as a leader or teacher and interview her about her perspectives on this teaching. How does she feel or respond when men do not step up into responsible leadership or teaching roles?
- Make a list of ways that the elders can affirm and encourage women who are gifted in leadership and teaching so that they don’t feel like “second class citizens.”
The Feminist Gospel and The Feminine Mistake by Mary Kassian