Bible Reading
1 Corinthians 14:26-40 “What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God. Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged. And the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints, the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church. Or was it from you that the word of God came? Or are you the only ones it has reached? If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord. If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But all things should be done decently and in order.”
[31:43]1 Timothy 2:11-14 “Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor.”
[53:57]Genesis 2:18-25 “Then the LORD God said, 'It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.' So out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him. So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, 'This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.' Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.”
[56:00]Observation questions
- In 1 Corinthians 14:26–31, what purposes does Paul give for people bringing their gifts and taking turns speaking? How do those purposes connect? [36:01]
- What different instructions does Paul give to someone speaking in tongues and to those sharing prophecy? What responsibility does he give those who are listening? [40:05]
- Which three groups are instructed to be silent in 1 Corinthians 14:27–35, and what circumstances surround each instruction? [49:46]
- In 1 Timothy 2:11–14, what instruction concerns women’s learning, and what events from Genesis does Paul use to explain his instructions about authority? [53:48]
Interpretation questions
- How do Paul’s instructions about waiting and remaining silent challenge the claim that a spiritual prompting cannot be controlled? Why does that matter for others trying to listen and learn? [43:14]
- Why does evaluating what is shared honor Scripture rather than show disrespect for the person speaking? What is the difference between careful evaluation and simply looking for faults? [40:46]
- How do the other commands to silence in 1 Corinthians 14, together with Paul’s earlier permission for women to prophesy, help explain why verses 34–35 do not require women to remain completely silent? [51:21]
- Read alongside the creation account, these passages distinguish equal worth from different responsibilities. How can reserving the pastoral office and preaching to the whole congregation for men go hand in hand with encouraging women’s biblical learning, sharing of Scripture, and substantial leadership? [59:41]
Application questions
- Think about your most recent church gathering. In what ways did you come ready to receive, and in what ways did you come ready to strengthen someone else? What is one simple way you could encourage someone next time? [35:31]
- When a discussion matters deeply to you, do you tend to interrupt, keep talking, or make room for others? What could help you practice self-control in a way that gives someone else room to contribute? [42:19]
- Scripture is without error, but those explaining it are not. When you hear a confident claim about the Bible, how do you check it against Scripture? How could you raise a concern with both honesty and humility? [40:46]
- Who is a woman whose understanding of Scripture has strengthened your faith? What could you or this group do to encourage women and girls to grow in biblical understanding and use their gifts, rather than letting distinctions in roles become unnecessary barriers? [01:03:48]
- Which part of these passages do you find hardest to understand or accept? What would help you keep working through it honestly, without dismissing it or assuming your first interpretation must be right? [48:21]
- Order in the church serves Christ’s glory, not merely a tidy appearance. Is there an area of your service where recognition, personal preference, or having things your way has become too important? What might change if your main concern were helping others see Jesus more clearly? [01:06:03]
