Lesson 9

The Bible speaks of how women are to conduct themselves in worship. In 1 Corinthians 14:34-36 we read, "Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church, for Adam was formed first, then Eve."  Why did God place these limitations on the woman?  The Bible explains why women are to keep silent and why they are not permitted to speak in the worship of the church. It was because "Adam was formed first, then Eve."  God could have created woman first or He could have created the man and woman simultaneously.  But God's creation of the man first was to show the authority of the man and the submission of the woman. 

This is the way God has specified that it will be.  We read in 1 Corinthians 11:3, "But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God."  God speaking to Eve in Genesis 3:16 says, "Unto the woman He said…your desire shall be to your husband, and he shall rule over you." The reason women are to be submissive and not speak in the worship of the church is God has specified that the man is the head of woman and is to rule over the woman. Many people do not approve of what God has done, but this is still God’s business. As we read in Romans 9:20, "But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, Why have you made me like this?" Who are we to question God?

Also in 1 Timothy 2:11-14 God’s word to us says, "Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence.   For Adam was first formed, then Eve.  And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression." God’s word is very clear. It says it is not to be permitted. In other words it is forbidden. When we do things that are forbidden by God it is sin. It is sin which separates us from God and sin will cause us to be lost eternally.  Here we see what happened when Eve took the spiritual leadership over her husband and what happened when Adam failed to exercise spiritual leadership over his wife.  Because of this Satan was able to introduce sin into the world.

During the worship of the church women are not permitted by the Lord to preach, lead prayer or lead singing.  This does not preclude women from singing in the worship service or teaching children in the Bible classes.  But they are not to take a leading role over man in the worship service.  This command of God is not hard to understand. But some still want to ignore it and do what seems right in their own eyes.   

Again this does not prohibit women from teaching children in the Bible classes.  Paul tells Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:15, "And that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures."  How was Timothy taught the scriptures?  He was taught them by his mother and grandmother as we read in 2 Timothy 1:5, "When I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded in in you also."  Women can play a vital role in teaching children in Bible classes.  Women are not inferior to men, but the difference is a matter of function as designed by God.  This is the way that God chose for it to be. 

God intends for women to be subordinate to men in worship.  When a woman gets up before the church with men present to teach, preach, lead prayer, or lead singing, she is in violation of what God has commanded. She is perverting the worship of God. As a result of this rebellion, God is not worshipped in spirit and in truth. As we have already seen, worship becomes vain or useless when we follow the desires of men instead of what God wants. For us to ignore what God has said, on this matter or any other, is spiritual anarchy and will have horrible consequences.

  They can preach.

  They can lead singing and prayer.

  They are not permitted to speak.

3)  (Genesis 3:16) God told Eve

  That her husband was to rule over her.

  That she was to rule over her husband.

  That neither shall rule over the other.

4)     The reason a woman is not to speak in worship of the church is she is to be submissive to man.

5)  (1 Timothy 2:11-12) During the worship of the church

  Women can teach and have authority over man.

  Women cannot teach and have authority over man.

  Both men and women can lead in the worship service.

6)     God has commanded women to keep silent and not to speak, teach, or have authority over man in worship.

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