Woman's World

" How Christian Women Can Best Serve The Lord "
Scriptures from the King James version of the Bible.
Answers/Remarks by Sister Marie Malone and approved by the Web Mission Elder at the Tanner Church of Christ.

Introduction:

The story of the virtuous woman is an example as how important a woman can be within the Lord's Church. Please read and study these verses at the beginning of this study. (Proverbs chapter 31 verse 10) through (Proverbs chapter 31 verse 31)

God created Adam first and from his side he took a rib to make and mold woman. Notice that he took from his side, not from his feet nor from his head. He created the women to be a helpmate to her husband.

(1Corinthians 11:8-12)
1Cor 11:8  For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.
1Co 11:9   Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
1Co 11:10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.
1Co 11:11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.
1Co 11:12 For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.

God specifies the responsibilities of a Christian woman. These Bibical teachings are the purpose of this study.

Subject: The Lord's Supper

Question # 1 Can the women have a part in passing out and serving the Lord's Supper?

Answer # 1 Since women aren't to show authority over a man,.the actual passing out of the "fruit of the vine" and "unleven" bread must to be done by the man. There is also praying done at this time as the Lord did when he established this during his Last Supper.

(1 Timothy 2:11) Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
1Ti 2:12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

Question # 2 What about the preparation of the Lord's Supper?

Answer # 2 The women can be responsible for preparing the Lord's Supper. We can have everything ready when the proper time comes for this part of the worship services. Of course the cleaning up can be our responsibility also.
Gen 2:20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.
Gen 2:21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
Gen 2:22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.

Subject: Praying

Question # 3 Can Christian women lead others in prayer?

Answer # 3 First, knowing that Christian women can't lead other Christian men in the worship services, that leaves just a couple of things to cover. Christian women can lead prayer to non-Christians when they are in a study setting such as their homes etc. They can also lead young boys in prayer as they are still teachers. Christian women can of course lead other non-Christian and Christian women in prayer.

1Ti 2:11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
1Ti 2:12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

Subject: Teaching

Question # 4 How old should children be before it would be better if a man would teach them during classes when we gather together?

Answer # 4 Christ taught that ALL should teach, so first we know that we are commanded to teach. Women are also responsibility to teach children.. There is no specific commandment that states how old a child becomes when a man is to take over the job of teaching.

I would like to tell you how we, as a congregation at Tanner, handle this matter. We have young people as young as 8-9 yr. old that have been baptized. This seems to be where the question starts. As: "Should a woman teach a Christian male?". Actually the 8-9 yr. old boy is still a young boy even though he is now a child of Gods. Women are to teach children. Our eldership uses around 13yrs of age or "teenage classes" to appoint men as their teachers.

The main idea is that women should not show authority over a man during worship services.

1Ti 2:12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

Subject: Modesty

Question # 5 How short or how low shall a Christian wear  his or her clothing?

Answer # 5 The scriptures doesn't tell us exactly how a christian should dress, how low cut the blouses or shirts can't be or any specific instruction. It does, however, stress modesty. Also the culture where within you live will help dictate just what modesty and immodesty are.
The modest of men and women are to be applied in the same manner.

1Ti 2:8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
1Ti 2:9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
1Ti 2:10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

Subject: The Divine Order of service.

Question # 6 What is the Divine order of our service to God.?

Answer # 6 I will cover this subject a little before we continue to the next subject "Subjection". The customs of man seems to be influential at some degree here.

Christians acknowledge Christ as their head, and declare they are under binding obligation to be obedient to him. He is also the head of all people, even though many of them do not acknowledge or respect the relationship.

Colossians 1: 15 --18
Col 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
Col 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
Col 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
This places the order as: God., Christ, man, Woman.

Subject: Subjection

Question # 7 Are Christian women required to be in subjection to her husband?

Answer # 7 Please note that this subject will need to be studied in depth at a future time. After this covered here and if you would like to study this further let me know and I'll work something out. It is easy to make statements as below but I do wish you would cover this subject closer. There are many scriptures to clear up any questions you may have. Just remember, God is over man, man is over woman, and woman must be in subjection to her husband as long as he is a Godly man and doesn't try to force her to do something sinful. (The further study will handle this better.) Just remember that God took a rib from Adam's side and made Woman and he wanted her to be beside him as a helpmate. Man has no right to treat a woman in an ungodly manner.
Eph 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

Subject: Singing and Preaching in Worship Services

Question # 8 Is it permitted for a woman to lead the singing, serving communion, preaching or anything pertaining to the worship service?

Answer # 8 Since we as women are subject unto our husband and also the Christian men in the Lord, it is only correct to state that we must not take a leading part in the Praying, Singing, Serving on the Lord's Table, performing baptisms etc. However we have an example of a lady in the scriptures studying with a man in the New Testament. We are told about Aquilla and Pricilla studying with Cornelous

I Corinthians 14:34, 35
1Co 14:34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
1Co 14:35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

Even though it may seem that there is quiet a few "Do nots" please remember all the "Dos". We as women can be far above rubies.

This material may be copied and used for classroom material if desired.  It was originial designed to teach Young Christian Women in India by their request.  We have now become close Sisters in Christ.

The Virtuous Woman
Proverbs 31:10 - 31

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(VERSE) 031:010 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

(REMARK) This first statement alone implies that if we wish to be a virtuous woman then we must work toward this and expect it to not be easy. The word "virtuous" means "noble".

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(VERSE) 031:011 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

(REMARK) We should always keep our husbands trust in us. We have responsibilities that God has given us as a wife and mother. If we strive to obey God's plan, then our husband will not have to worry about "our" responsibilities. This frees him up to carry out his responsibilities as a husband.

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(VERSE) 031:012 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

(REMARK) This stresses how we should always desire to be with our husband and not grow weary.

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(VERSE) 031:013 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

(REMARK) This verse tells us that she is buying, trading, etc. To have this responsibility, she would certainly have to be "SMART". Do you not agree? This is just one intelligent job we can be involved in.

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(VERSE) 031:014 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

(REMARK) This suggest that she leaves her home and goes elsewhere to shop for food and goods.

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(VERSE) 031:015 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

(REMARK) This virtuous woman not only purchases food for her family but also food for her servants.

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(VERSE    031:015) She considereth a field,

(REMARK) Again this notes that she is very intelligent.

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(VERSE  031:016 cont.): with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

(REMARK) Remember her maidens? She even does the planting of the vineyard herself. This can also mean that she oversees the work of this task.

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(VERSE) 031:017 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

(REMARK) Does this not imply that we must take care of our bodies and be as healthy as possible?

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VERSE) 031:018 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

(REMARK) She keeps control of the quality of merchandise also keeps the supply of oil in plenty.

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(VERSE) 031:019 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

(REMARK) The Hebrew women had no spinning wheel, but rotated doughnut shaped weights on sticks to form thread. This was their spindle.

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(VERSE) 031:020 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy

(REMARKS) She teaches that we should not only take care of our household but also the poor and needy.

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(VERSE) 031:021 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

(REMARK) She has prepared her household for the cold weather. She has made sure that they have warm clothing.

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(VERSE) 031:022 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

(REMARK) (Good Clothing)

She weaves tapestry and makes clothing for herself from silk and purple. Purple stood for Royalty and was expensive to acquire.

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(VERSE) 031:023 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

(REMARK) Her husband is well thought of among the men he comes in contact with and probably works with. She has seen to it that she has cared for him, as a wife should.

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(VERSE) 031:024 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

(REMARK) She makes fine linen, probably weaving it also, so she could sell it and implies that she also made undergarments.

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(VERSE) 031:025 Strength and honour are her clothing and she shall rejoice in time to come.

(REMARK) When we strive to accomplish these virtuous qualities, we will obtain honor and strength that will go with us for many years.

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(VERSE) 031:026 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; (Continued)

(REMARK) This woman must be able to handle events in a wise way. She shows that she is not a foolish person.

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(VERSE continued 031:026 ) and in her tongue is the law of kindness

(REMARK) We must strive to project a spirit of kindness. This trait will become easier as we grow in the Lord.

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(VERSE) 031:027 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

(REMARK) She is always conscious of the things that are happening in her household and not become weary and lazy.

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(VERSE) 031:028 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

(REMARK) Her children respect her as well as her husband.

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(VERSE) 031:029 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

(REMARK) This virtuous woman has excelled in many Godly says.

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(VERSE) 031:030 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

(REMARK) She doesn't necessarily always try to be a "Beauty" on the outside. If she fears the Lord she shall be greatly respected.

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(VERSE) 031:031 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

(REMARK) She shall be known in the city for all her good works also.

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Version--King James
Remarks-- by Marie Malone
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http://tannerchurchofchrist.org
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