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The Role of Women in the Church Introduction;
Some people see the Bible as a sexist book. Others believe the roles given women
were due to the culture at that time and not necessarily Biblical. It would be
easy for some men to treat women as second class citizens in the I)
important Facts A)
Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman by the well, John 4.7-9 1.
The culture at that time viewed women as property; a man did not speak publicly
to a woman as Jesus did. 2.
He recognized her intelligence and her soul. B)
Women followed and listened to Jesus, Luke 8.1-3 1.
Women are often more religiously minded than men. 2.
Mary and Martha made their house available to Jesus on different occasions. C)
Women saw Jesus die and then prepared His body for burial, John 19.25; Luke
23.55-56 1.
It has often been noted that “women’s work” often is taking care of the
sick and dying. 2.
They were not afraid to be seen by the enemies of Jesus. D)
Women were the first to see the empty grave, John 20.1; Luke 24.1 1.
Mary Magdalene, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Joanna are mentioned by name. 2.
Where were the men? They were hunkered down and depressed. E)
We read of men and women obeying the Gospel 1.
Early in Acts there is no distinction between men and women. Acts 2.41 says three thousand souls; Acts 4.4 says the number of the men came to be about 5,000.
a. The first woman mentioned by name was Sapphira the wife of Ananias in
chapter 5. 2.
3.
Not a few leading women joined Paul in Acts
17.3.
a. They confessed Christ and assembled with the saints {men} F)
Dorcas was recognized for her good works, Acts 9.36 1.
Phoebe was a servant of the church,
Romans 16.1. 2.
Euodia and Syntyche were recognized as fellow laborers, Phil. 4.2-3 G)
Woman and mean are equal in Christ, Galatians 3.27-28 1.
This does not mention their roles but their value. 2.
The Bible does designate different roles for each but each role is of value. H)
They are fellow heirs of salvation, 1 Peter 3.7 II)
Women Involved in the Work of the Church A)
Women can take part in benevolence 1.
James 1.27 does not exclude women
from “visiting” the sick, widows, or poor 2.
Women often possess skills needed in benevolence; compassion, inner strength,
time 3.
Dorcas made tunics and garments; cooking, baby sitting, washing clothes, taking
care of the house, talking and listening to others, extending hospitality, Romans
12.6-8 B)
Women can take part in edification 1.
Edification occurs when the members of the body are being built up, Ephesians 4.15-16; Galatians 6.2 2.
There are times when a woman needs to go to another woman to talk about sin in
their lives. 3.
Teaching other women, Titus 2.3-5 C)
Women can contribute in the work of evangelism 1.
The great commission was not limited just to the apostles or even men, Acts
8.1-4
a. Many a woman has helped support a preacher (Lela Gilbert)
b. Providing hospitality to preachers,
c. Encouraging men to be preachers, (IO Crim & Betty Haynes)
d. Tell others about Christ, John
4.28-31, 39-42
i. Notice the influence this woman had on her people
e. Work with their husbands as in the case of Priscilla and
f. Allow Bible Classes in their homes
g. Teach their husbands, neighbors, and friends, 1
Peter 3.1-2 2.
Women can teach their children, 2 Timothy
1.5; 3.14-15.Conclusion: The majority of workers in a local congregation are
women. The true measure of a local congregation is not what happens in the
assembly ( 3 hours a week) but what is happening in the homes. There is a real
problem of godly women becoming too busy and not being involved in the work of
the church. |