Community Group Questions 10/22/23
Women in Leadership
Pastor Gary Barber
1. Read Genesis 3:16–19.
2. Read Ephesians 5:18–21.
3. Read Ephesians 5:22–27.
4. Pastor Gary mentioned the Greek word for submit is “Hypotasso” (pronounced “hupo-toss- oh”) and that it means “to arrange under” in a military sense, and in non-military use it means “a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden.”
5. “Kephale” (pronounced “Kef- fah- lay”) can mean head, director, leader, authority; originator, source of life, and source.
6. Read II Timothy 3:16, 17.
7. Pastor Gary mentioned three passages that are challenging to understand which seem to restrict women in different ways in their functions in the church. They are I Corinthians 14:34, 35; I Corinthians 11:5; I Timothy 2:11–15.
8. I Timothy 2:12 from The Voice Translation says: “Now, Timothy, it’s not my habit to allow women to teach in a way that wrenches authority from a man. As I said, it’s best if a woman learns quietly and orderly.“
9. Read Romans 16:1–7.
10. In I Corinthians 14:26 it says: “What is the outcome then, brothers and sisters? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. All things are to be done for edification.”
Pastor Gary said that at The Oaks both men and women will be sharing psalms and leading in worship, men and women will be presenting teachings, men and women will be exercising spiritual gifts of prophecy and tongues and interpretation, he believes every person in the body who is gifted in a particular area – whether male or female – needs to use their gift to strengthen the body,
Women in Leadership
Pastor Gary Barber
1. Read Genesis 3:16–19.
- What were the consequences of the fall for the woman?
- What were the consequences of the fall for the man?
- What kinds of conflict and alienation did this create between the husband and the wife?
- How do you see these things happening in marriages today?
2. Read Ephesians 5:18–21.
- What are some of the things that happen when a person is filled with the Holy Spirit?
- How is “submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ“ (mentioned in verse 21) important as a quality in the interactions between husband and wife in the marriage relationship?
3. Read Ephesians 5:22–27.
- In the redeemed relationship between husband and wife described in these verses, what are the responsibilities of the wife that are described and the responsibilities of the husband that are described?
- Why do you think these responsibilities are so challenging? How does Ephesians 5:18 impact the fulfillment of these responsibilities?
4. Pastor Gary mentioned the Greek word for submit is “Hypotasso” (pronounced “hupo-toss- oh”) and that it means “to arrange under” in a military sense, and in non-military use it means “a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden.”
- How can Christ-like love and sacrifice on the part of the husband encourage a wife in her responsibility of submitting to the husband?
5. “Kephale” (pronounced “Kef- fah- lay”) can mean head, director, leader, authority; originator, source of life, and source.
- As husbands are the “Kephale” of the wife as Christ is of the church, what do you think this means for husbands?
- How can husbands elevate and empower their wives – like Christ does for his bride, the church – to use their gifts and fulfill God’s calling and assignments for their lives?
6. Read II Timothy 3:16, 17.
- Why is this passage so important in the formation of our doctrinal understandings. How does this passage help us related to the topic of women in leadership in the church?
7. Pastor Gary mentioned three passages that are challenging to understand which seem to restrict women in different ways in their functions in the church. They are I Corinthians 14:34, 35; I Corinthians 11:5; I Timothy 2:11–15.
- What insights did you gain about these passages from Pastor Gary‘s teaching Sunday?
- What ancient cultural influences and special circumstances in the church of Corinth and in the church of Ephesus help us to gain insight into these passages?
8. I Timothy 2:12 from The Voice Translation says: “Now, Timothy, it’s not my habit to allow women to teach in a way that wrenches authority from a man. As I said, it’s best if a woman learns quietly and orderly.“
- How, if it all, does this translation help you to understand better Paul’s instruction to Timothy about the circumstances that he was facing with women in the church of Ephesus at the time of the writing of this letter.
9. Read Romans 16:1–7.
- According to this passage, what kinds of ministries were Phoebe, Priscilla, and Junia involved with in the early church. How does this compare with I Timothy 2:12?
- Does it make sense to you that Paul was restricting women because of special circumstances in I Timothy 2:11-14 while in other circumstances in the New Testament era and churches women were free to minister in various forms of leadership and in various forms of teaching ministries?
10. In I Corinthians 14:26 it says: “What is the outcome then, brothers and sisters? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. All things are to be done for edification.”
Pastor Gary said that at The Oaks both men and women will be sharing psalms and leading in worship, men and women will be presenting teachings, men and women will be exercising spiritual gifts of prophecy and tongues and interpretation, he believes every person in the body who is gifted in a particular area – whether male or female – needs to use their gift to strengthen the body,
- What do you think about this viewpoint?
- What do you think about women presenting teachings?