Discussion 9 – Distinction of Sexes

Pray

Pray together for the group meeting, and any pressing needs within the group.

Review

Each week you’ll spend some time reviewing the previous week’s lesson. Did anything happen last week that brought the lesson to mind, and what did you learn from it?

Watch

Watch the following discussion-starter video. It’ll set the topic of discussion for the group.

Read

For each section of verse below: One person will first read the scripture selection in the King James Version.

Re-read

Next, another person will read the same passages in a modern language or amplified version for more clarity such as the New Living Translation (NLT), Message Bible (MSG), New English Translation (NET), Amplified Bible (AMP), etc.

Retell

One person will begin retelling the scripture passage in their own words (a new person to start each week is great!) Then…

As a group, work together to fill in gaps and build knowledge towards understanding and wisdom. This will help us internalize and own it. Be sure everyone participates.

Distinction in Apparel

Deuteronomy 22:5

The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.

• What does pertaineth mean?
• What is an abomination?
• Why is it so important to God that men and women dress according to what pertains to their gender?
• How does knowing God’s view on gender distinction relate to our pursuit of holiness?

Distinction in Authority Structure and Hair

1 Corinthians 11:1-15

1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you. 3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. 4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. 5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. 6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. 7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. 8 For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. 9 — Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. 10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels. 11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. 12 For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.

13 Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? 14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? 15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.

• What was Paul’s approach as he began this letter to the Corinthians?
• What may have been Paul’s reasoning for describing God’s structure of authority?
• What was significant about how Paul introduced God’s order of Authority?
• What is the order of authority stated in this scripture?
• What do the head coverings in this scripture symbolize?
• Why is knowing God’s order of authority important?
• Why might people be resentful of God’s order of Authority?
• Does this scripture imply that women are inferior to men?
• How does this passage describe the relationship between men, women, and God 
• How is God’s structure of authority helpful in our pursuit of holiness?
• What does it mean that the woman ought to have power on her head because of the angels?
• Why is it shameful for a man to have long hair and a woman to have short hair?
• How is a woman’s hair a glory to her?
• How are men and women complementary to each other?
• How does knowing God as the ultimate authority help our pursuit of holiness?
• How do women benefit from God’s structure of authority?
• How do men benefit?
• What are some consequences of rejecting God’s structure of authority?

Next Week:  Pursuing Holiness – Lesson 10- Modesty

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