Men and Women

When I was growing up, my hat mattered.

As a kid, I was convinced that the jagged peaks of sweat and soil on my much-used baseball hat told the world that I was a hard-working ballplayer. Of course, I’m sure plenty of people came to a different conclusion when they saw my grubby hat, but for me the dirt was a badge of honor.

Today, it’s amazing how many opinions and conclusions we form from a quick glance at the logo or brim or style of a person’s simple baseball hat.

In 1st-century Corinth, hats mattered too. In 1 Corinthians 11, we learn that men and women were praying and prophesying in the gatherings of the early church–and the women were doing so with heads uncovered! Of course, the Apostle Paul, who was a master interpreter of the cultural codes of his day, quickly realized that this practice was not communicating the heart of God to the surrounding world, and so he gave practical advice for how both men and women should treat their heads when speaking to the congregation.

A few chapters later, Paul writes, “The women should keep silent in the churches” (1 Cor. 14:34).

Is Paul confused? Has he forgotten his earlier instructions in Ch. 11 that the women not keep silent in the churches?

Perhaps part of the answer to this long-debated issue of the role of women in the church can be found in a hat… (or, to use Paul’s language, in a head covering).

In any case, Paul’s biggest point about the heart of God does not apply merely to men or to women, but to all of us as we learn to recognize what God has given each of us and bring it for the good of the whole community!

Podcast

Podcast: Download (Duration: 1:01:08 — 70.0MB)

Subscribe: Email | RSS

Downloads

SEE IT // BE IT

(Weekly Community Group Discussion Guide)

Date: November 8, 2015 // Title: Men and Women

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:1-17, 14:26-40

SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes

ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes
Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out.

SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes

Paul is never one to shy away from controversy, whether knowingly or not. In the case of these passages, many throughout Christian history have erroneously interpreted them to say that women are inferior to men and have no place in worship. A fuller review of the context and culture reveals that Paul seeks to clarify the role of women so that chaos and distraction do not detract from the object of our worship—God, Himself.

THE MAIN THOUGHT Keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion.
Each of us, men and women, has something to contribute for the good of the community.

SEE IT Questions :: 10-15 minutes

Picture: What are the three groups Paul tells to be quiet? (I Cor. 14: 26–40) What are the possible reasons that Paul tells women to be quiet? (I Cor. 14: 33–40) Why did Paul tell women to pray with their heads covered? (I Cor. 11: 2–16) Who is to be the focus of worship?

Mirror: According to I Corinthians 12, are spiritual gifts gender specific? What are your gifts? If you have trouble knowing what they are, answer this: If you had no limits, and no financial or time restrictions, what would you do? What do you think God has called you to do? How have you been using your gifts? What are you holding back, leaving boxed up on the front porch?

Window: How have your previous views of these passages affected how you view yourself, women and women’s roles in the church? How has today’s sermon changed your view? How has this changed the way you see yourself, women, your marriage?

BE IT – Practice

Change UP // Acknowledgment 15 minutes
This sermon may have surfaced some wounds that need to be forgiven and healed. Spend time in confession, asking God to breathe new life into you and to give you HIS perspective and HIS mind on this matter.

Change IN // Affirmation 5 minutes
Guys, take turns calling out the gifts of the women in your group, affirming who God has designed them to be.

Change OUT // Assessment 5 minutes
In this passage, we learned that a head covering signified something about the wearer (pagan worship, man in mourning, a provocateur). This week as you dress yourself, evaluate what your closet and attire say about you.

CLOSING PRAYER 5 minutes
Take a few minutes to gather any prayer requests and pray for each other to SEE IT and BE IT this week.