Women Teachers In Bible Times Lesson

Women Teachers in Bible Times Lesson 41

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WOMEN TEACHERS IN BIBLE TIMES

The word teach means to impart knowledge. Another definition is to give instruction to. Ephesians 4:11," And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers." A problem the early church faced was their discerning of the new role of women. When in Christ, as they had spiritual gifts, each woman was able to see herself as a person of value and tremendous personal worth. If we stop and look, it is noticeable that many of the present day cries of women in our society are reflected here. We need to see that the Bible's stand in its basic attitude toward women is consistent. In Genesis 1 we read of Eve and her personality. Her total association in our Lord's image is forged on all humankind. We read in Genesis 1:27-28,"So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth. '" Paul in writing to Timothy tells us he did not permit a woman to exercise authority over a man. " And I do not permit a woman to teach or have authority over a man, but to be in silence." I Timothy 2:12 In Acts 18 we read where Priscilla and her husband Aquila taught Apollos the way of God more perfectly. Priscilla, as a partner with her husband, spoke with Apollos privately. " So he (Apollos) began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. " Acts 18:26 Paul wrote in Romans 16:3," Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus."

There are many Biblical examples of women serving the Lord in the Old Testament. In Judges 4:4 we read of Deborah. Throughout the book of Esther, we read of Esther's bravery and her courage to speak out. We read about Hannah in the book of I Samuel chapter 1. She was childless and prayed fervently to the Lord for a child. "Hannah conceived and bore a son, and called his name Samuel,saying, 'Because I have asked for him from the Lord.'" First Samuel 1:20 She trained him and taught him until he was old enough to go and live in the house of the Lord with Eli the priest.

And many women who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him, were there looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons. Matthew 27:55-56 (NKJV) I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea. Romans 16:1 (NKJV) At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. Acts 9:36 (NKJV)

One of the judges in the Old Testament was a woman. Judges 4:4,"Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of

6/17/2008 12:38 AM

Women Teachers in Bible Times Lesson 41

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http://gardenofpraise.com/godseg41a.htm

Lapidoth, was judging Israel at that time. And she would sit under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the mountains of Ephraim. And the children of Israel came up to her for judgment. "

Lydia was a business woman from Thyatira ,a seller of purple, who met with a group of women by the riverside to worship. Paul preached to them and Lydia and those of her household were baptized. "...she begged us, saying, 'If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.' So she persuaded us." Acts 16:15

There is a prophecy in Joel 2:28," And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions." In Acts 2:17 Peter quoted the prophet Joel. Jesus Christ promised a Spirit. Peter and the apostles spoke on the day of Pentecost, and this is the day the Spirit came to believers. Because of the coming of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost, every member of the Lord's body has been given a gift. The admonition to teach as Jesus commanded in the Great Commission, given in Matthew 28:18-20, applies to both men and women. "And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.' Amen" In 1 Corinthians 12:27-30 Paul tells of spiritual gifts, one of the gifts is teaching. Both men and women teach. Each topic in I Corinthians 11 has to do with public worship. Paul starts by praising the believers, this included women, for not straying from the teaching. Later Paul answered those who would challenge his teaching. " Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you." I Corinthians 11:2 "And I urge you also, true companion, help those women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life." Philippians 4:3 There is no shame to be female in Christ Jesus. Whenever women participated in Christ's ministry, the worth, value, and the glory of womanhood was shown.

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:28 Discussion and study questions: (1) Who did Peter quote as he spoke with the apostles on the day of Pentecost? (2) Discusss a Biblical example of a woman bringing a man aside to teach him more perfectly? (3) What does Paul say about women in I Corinthians 11?

Copyright 2007 Linda Lawrence

6/17/2008 12:38 AM