Embracing Humility: Women, Learning, and Spiritual Growth

Devotional

Day 1: Invitation to Learn

Paul's instruction for women to learn quietly and with submission is an invitation, not a restriction. It opens the door for women, including single women, to be part of the theological learning process, which was revolutionary in a culture that often excluded them. This invitation is about gaining knowledge and understanding to grow in faith and contribute to the church's mission. [49:30]

In the context of 1 Timothy 2:11, Paul’s directive for women to learn quietly and with submission was groundbreaking. In a society where women were often marginalized and excluded from formal theological education, Paul’s words were an invitation to participate in the learning process. This was not about silencing women but about encouraging them to adopt a posture of humility and attentiveness, which is essential for effective learning and spiritual growth. By inviting women to learn, Paul was advocating for their spiritual development and their active contribution to the church's mission.

This invitation extends to all believers today, encouraging everyone to approach learning with a humble heart. It is a call to be open to instruction, to seek understanding, and to grow in faith. This approach ensures that learning is not just about acquiring knowledge but about transforming lives and building up the body of Christ.

1 Timothy 2:11 (ESV): "Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness."

Reflection: How can you adopt a posture of humility and attentiveness in your own learning process today? What steps can you take to ensure that your learning contributes to your spiritual growth and the mission of the church?

Day 2: Humility in Learning

Effective learning requires a humble and attentive posture. Paul’s call for women to learn in quietness is about adopting a posture of humility, which is essential for spiritual growth. This humility allows individuals to receive instruction and grow in their understanding of God's Word. [01:35:13]

Humility is a crucial aspect of effective learning, especially in the context of spiritual growth. Paul’s instruction for women to learn in quietness and submission is not about silencing them but about encouraging a humble and attentive posture. This humility is essential for receiving instruction and growing in the understanding of God's Word. When individuals approach learning with humility, they are more open to being taught, corrected, and guided by the Holy Spirit.

This principle applies to all believers, regardless of gender. A humble heart is teachable and willing to learn from others, recognizing that spiritual growth is a lifelong journey. By adopting a posture of humility, believers can deepen their relationship with God and become more effective in their ministry and service to others.

James 1:21 (ESV): "Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to cultivate more humility to enhance your learning and spiritual growth? How can you practice this humility in your daily interactions and study of God's Word?

Day 3: Role of Husbands in Discipleship

Husbands have a crucial role in discipling their wives and families. Spiritual leadership starts at home, and men are called to wash their wives in the Word. This responsibility requires men to be committed to their own discipleship and learning, ensuring they can effectively lead their families in faith. [01:15:30]

Spiritual leadership within the family is a significant responsibility, particularly for husbands. They are called to disciple their wives and children, guiding them in their faith journey. This role involves more than just providing for the family's physical needs; it requires a commitment to spiritual growth and discipleship. Husbands are encouraged to "wash their wives in the Word," meaning they should actively engage in studying the Bible and sharing its teachings with their families.

This responsibility necessitates that husbands are also committed to their own spiritual growth. They must be diligent in their personal discipleship, seeking to understand God's Word deeply and applying it to their lives. By doing so, they can effectively lead their families, setting an example of faith and devotion. Spiritual leadership in the home is foundational for building a strong, faith-filled family.

Ephesians 5:25-26 (ESV): "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word."

Reflection: How can you, as a husband or a family member, take active steps to disciple your family today? What specific actions can you take to ensure that your home is a place of spiritual growth and learning?

Day 4: Submission and God's Order

Submission is not about ignorance or lack of ability but about adhering to God's order. Women are encouraged to learn and even teach, but they must do so with a spirit of humility and submission to the church's male leadership. This ensures that learning does not become a means to usurp authority but a way to grow in faith. [01:44:02]

The concept of submission in the Bible is often misunderstood. It is not about diminishing one's abilities or intellect but about recognizing and adhering to God's established order. In the context of 1 Timothy 2:11, women are encouraged to learn and even teach, but they are to do so with a spirit of humility and submission to the church's male leadership. This approach ensures that learning and teaching are conducted in a manner that respects the church's structure and promotes unity.

Submission, in this sense, is about fostering an environment where everyone can grow in faith and contribute to the church's mission. It is not about suppressing voices but about ensuring that all actions are aligned with God's order. This principle applies to all believers, encouraging them to approach their roles and responsibilities with humility and a willingness to serve within the framework God has established.

1 Peter 5:5 (ESV): "Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'"

Reflection: How can you practice submission in your own life in a way that honors God's order and promotes unity within the church? What steps can you take to ensure that your actions and attitudes reflect humility and respect for leadership?

Day 5: Theological Humility

Approaching difficult passages like 1 Timothy 2:11 requires theological humility. These verses have been debated for centuries, and it is essential to hold our positions with conviction while being charitable towards those who hold different views. This humility allows for meaningful dialogue and growth within the body of Christ. [50:44]

Theological humility is crucial when approaching difficult and often debated passages in the Bible, such as 1 Timothy 2:11. These verses have been the subject of much discussion and differing interpretations over the centuries. It is essential for believers to hold their positions with conviction, grounded in careful study and understanding of Scripture. However, it is equally important to be charitable and respectful towards those who hold different views.

This humility fosters an environment where meaningful dialogue can occur, allowing for growth and unity within the body of Christ. By approaching theological discussions with a humble heart, believers can learn from one another, deepen their understanding of God's Word, and strengthen their faith. Theological humility is not about compromising on truth but about recognizing that our understanding is limited and being open to learning from others.

Romans 14:1 (ESV): "As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions."

Reflection: How can you practice theological humility in your interactions with others, especially when discussing difficult or controversial passages? What steps can you take to ensure that your conversations are respectful and edifying, promoting unity within the body of Christ?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

In this final week of Member Appreciation Month, we took the time to honor our ministry leaders and teams, recognizing their sacrifices and contributions to the church. We also acknowledged the deacons and governing board members for their invaluable support in both practical and spiritual matters. As we transition into October, we look forward to Elders Appreciation Month, where we will honor the elders who actively lead our ministry.

The core of today's message focused on 1 Timothy 2:11, which states, "A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submission." This verse has been debated for over 2000 years, and it requires theological humility to approach it. The sermon emphasized that this passage is not about restricting women but inviting them to learn and grow in their faith. Paul’s instruction to women to learn quietly and with submission is not a prohibition but an invitation to be part of the learning process, which was revolutionary in a culture where women were often excluded from theological education.

Paul's call for women to learn in quietness and submission is about adopting a humble and attentive posture, not about silencing them. This humility is essential for effective learning and spiritual growth. The sermon also highlighted the importance of men, especially husbands, in discipling their wives and families, emphasizing that spiritual leadership starts at home.

Furthermore, the message addressed the broader context of submission, explaining that it is not rooted in ignorance but in God's order. Women are encouraged to learn and even teach, but they must do so with a spirit of humility and submission to the church's male leadership. This approach ensures that learning does not become a means to usurp authority but a way to grow in faith and contribute to the church's mission.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Invitation to Learn: Paul's instruction for women to learn quietly and with submission is an invitation, not a restriction. It opens the door for women, including single women, to be part of the theological learning process, which was revolutionary in a culture that often excluded them. This invitation is about gaining knowledge and understanding to grow in faith and contribute to the church's mission. [49:30]
2. Humility in Learning: Effective learning requires a humble and attentive posture. Paul’s call for women to learn in quietness is about adopting a posture of humility, which is essential for spiritual growth. This humility allows individuals to receive instruction and grow in their understanding of God's Word. [95:13]
3. Role of Husbands in Discipleship: Husbands have a crucial role in discipling their wives and families. Spiritual leadership starts at home, and men are called to wash their wives in the Word. This responsibility requires men to be committed to their own discipleship and learning, ensuring they can effectively lead their families in faith. [75:30]
4. Submission and God's Order: Submission is not about ignorance or lack of ability but about adhering to God's order. Women are encouraged to learn and even teach, but they must do so with a spirit of humility and submission to the church's male leadership. This ensures that learning does not become a means to usurp authority but a way to grow in faith. [104:02]
5. Theological Humility: Approaching difficult passages like 1 Timothy 2:11 requires theological humility. These verses have been debated for centuries, and it is essential to hold our positions with conviction while being charitable towards those who hold different views. This humility allows for meaningful dialogue and growth within the body of Christ. [50:44]
### [50:44]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[30:03] - Honoring Ministry Leaders
[31:13] - Acknowledging Deacons and Governing Board
[32:34] - Role of Deacons
[34:17] - Governing Board Contributions
[35:46] - Gifts for Leaders
[44:00] - Upcoming Events and Announcements
[45:26] - Prayer Requests
[46:46] - Prayers for Healing
[48:01] - Preparing for the Word
[49:30] - 1 Timothy 2:11 Explained
[50:44] - Theological Humility
[52:03] - Complementarian vs. Egalitarian
[53:27] - Invitation to Learn
[60:23] - Humility in Learning
[75:30] - Role of Husbands in Discipleship
[95:13] - Quietness and Submission
[104:02] - Submission and God's Order
[112:42] - Theological Humility
[114:04] - Communion
[118:01] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does 1 Timothy 2:11 instruct women to do, and how is this instruction often misunderstood? [49:30]
According to the sermon, what cultural context did Paul address when he invited women to learn quietly and with submission? [01:01:52]
How does the sermon explain the term "quietly" in the context of 1 Timothy 2:11? [01:34:33]
What role do husbands have in the spiritual growth of their wives according to the sermon? [01:15:30]

Interpretation Questions

How does the sermon interpret Paul's instruction for women to learn quietly and with submission as an invitation rather than a restriction? [49:30]
What does the sermon suggest is the importance of humility in the learning process for both men and women? [01:35:13]
How does the sermon address the broader context of submission in relation to God's order and the role of male leadership in the church? [01:44:02]
Why does the sermon emphasize the need for theological humility when approaching difficult passages like 1 Timothy 2:11? [50:44]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt excluded from a learning opportunity. How did that experience affect you, and how can the church ensure that everyone feels invited to learn and grow in their faith? [49:30]
In what ways can you adopt a more humble and attentive posture in your own spiritual learning? What practical steps can you take to cultivate this humility? [01:35:13]
For those who are married, how can husbands take a more active role in discipling their wives and families? What specific actions can you take this week to wash your family in the Word? [01:15:30]
How do you understand the concept of submission in your own life? Are there areas where you struggle with this, and how can you align your understanding with the biblical teaching on submission? [01:44:02]
The sermon calls for theological humility when interpreting difficult passages. How can you practice this humility in your own Bible study and discussions with others? [50:44]
Think about a time when you were quick to speak rather than listen. How did that impact your ability to learn or grow? What can you do to ensure you approach learning opportunities with a quiet and attentive spirit? [01:34:33]
How can single women in the church be supported and encouraged to grow in their theological understanding and participate in ministry? What specific actions can the church take to include them more fully? [01:20:47]

Sermon Clips

1. "Before you can make peace with other people, you have to first learn how to make peace with yourself. Amen? Amen." [44:00] (5 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "The problem though is, if you don't start in Hebrews chapter 12 with the Lord disciplines those who belong to him, if you don't start with, I am a child of God, then of course his discipline looks like punishment. Because you haven't started at the right place. But when you begin at, I am a child of God, and the Lord disciplines those in whom he loves, and if he does not discipline you, you are not a legitimate child, then that means if I start there, I can't look at what's happening in my life as punishment. I have to look at it as God trying to get me back in line. Because I went away somehow. And he loves me so much that he says, I got to bring you back." [01:00:23] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The call to be quiet is about a position of effective learning, not a restriction to talking. Contextually, yes. First Corinthians 14, Paul technically said, shut up and stop talking. I'm not going to lie to you. That's what he said. The word that he used in First Corinthians 14 for silent is sagio, which means shut up. Stop talking. It has no other range. It literally means stop talking. That's it." [01:27:37] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The call to learn is a call to Christ following discipleship. However, you won't be growing, you won't grow as a disciple of Christ if you won't first become a quiet learner. Being quiet. It will allow you to receive instead of being puffed up and against, you know, and you got to remember who's the teachers in the room in the text, the elders. So if you argue with, you got, you're arguing with all your elders. And here's the thing. You can disagree with me. I don't care. Because I can be wrong. I'm wrong a lot of times." [01:38:10] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Paul says, come to the table. Come learn. Come be. Quit from ministry. Come do all of this stuff. But when you do it, have a humble spirit and be submitted. Anyone who desires to learn must be willing to have a quiet, humble, and submissive spirit. Anybody that desires to learn, anybody that desires to do ministry at Reet City Church must have a humble and submissive spirit. This is not a prescription to women only. It's a message to the women in Ephesus who didn't have a humble and submissive spirit." [01:49:52] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "And so, my concluding word is, let the women learn, but let them be submitted. Amen? Amen." [01:52:42] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "And here's the beauty of submission. Because Christ was submitted, he went to the cross. Because he chose submission over his own way, instead of being like, I'm you. The cross, I don't want to. He submitted himself to the will of the Father. And because of that, each of us who have confessed faith in the name of Jesus Christ, now have salvation. Submission is what sent him. It kept him on the cross. His love, obviously, is what sent him. But he had to be submitted when he was in the garden. I guess so many praying, sweating blood. Lord, let this cup pass from me. But if it be your will, I submit." [01:55:40] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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