Can Women Be Deacons?

by

1 Timothy 3: 11

Teaching

  • Who are the women in 1 Tim 3:11?
    • Immediate Context
    • Biblical Context
    • Historical Context
  • So can women be deacons?

Reproof

  • There is no office of pastor’s/elder’s wife
  • Men failing to encourage women to exercise their gifts
  • Women with an unbiblical desire to usurp authority in the church and neglecting the ministry of the home

Correction

  • Jesus saves us through humble obedience

Training in Righteousness

  • First, Receive Grace and then give grace to the other gender
  • Second, actively look for ways to serve others
  • Third, continue to pray for our future deacons

Reflection Questions:

  1. How do you resolve culturally controversial questions like women's roles in the church?
  2. What do you think about passages where even theologians and commentators disagree on its meaning?
  3. Who do you think are the women in 1 Timothy 3:11? Do you think women can be ordained deacons?
  4. What is the value of history in understanding scripture and, in particular, an issue like women deacons?
  5. What do you think is the role of Pastor/Elder's wives and Deacons' wives?
  6. In what ways are women discouraged from serving in the church? How can we encourage them?
  7. Do you agree that while women should do ministry, their primary ministry is in the home?
  8. How does Jesus bridge the gap between genders?
  9. What does it look like to wash one another's feet? (Jn 13:14; 1 Tim 5:10)
Feb. 23, 2020