Featured Sunday School teacher question

I recently found this Greek dictionary by Mounce on the word teach given in 1 Timothy 2:12.

διδάσκω | billmounce.com

The word for teach in 1 Timothy 2:12 appears to apply to teaching or speaking in a public assembly, an interpretation I have heard before. If this definition is trustworthy, then the real debate would be if Sunday School is teaching a public assembly of believers.

In my own opinion, Sunday School would be a public assembly given two things. First, most churches back in the 1st century were house churches, and a life group is similar to such a gathering, Second, Sunday School is a formal teaching environment of multiple people in the church. This also makes sense in light of Priscilla and Aquila's teaching of Apollos, which was private and informal. This also makes sense in light of Titus 2:3-5:

Titus 2:3-5
3 Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4 Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

Such teaching of younger women would certainly be private. It would not require the assembly to meet publicly.

Of course, I could be wrong.

 

If this is done as disrespectfully as it sounds, her teaching is among the least of the things that have gone wrong.

No, it is not Biblical for her to teach men. It is not something that I completely understand the ‘why’ for, but God was not unclear in scripture. A woman can teach other women, but is not permitted to teach men or be placed into a position of authority over men.

 

I've learned a lot from women who were part of Sunday School classes I have been privileged to teach.

But, that's a different story.

 

Liberalism, huh?

W.A. Criswell’s widow, Betty, dies at 93

 

W. A. Criswell: The Authorized Biography

 

Sounds to me like it's a cultural hangup for many. From the Baptist Press article:

"As recounted in a biographical sketch of Betty Criswell from First Baptist Dallas: 'In 1933, when W.A. became pastor of the little church in Mount Washington, Ky., he did not realize that women were not to pray in public in Kentucky. In his first Wednesday evening service he wanted to have a prayer service. He began by asking a woman on the front row to pray and she refused. He continued asking each woman on the front row and each one shook her head no. He continued on to the second row of women until he got to Betty"

I think you know she prayed.

 

Co-teaching at the same time seems like it would be a little unorthodox. In high school or college can you ever remember having two teachers at the same time? In the book of Acts, Luke usually tells the reader who is speaking. And I can’t remember any shared sermons when two Apostles took turns in the same delivery. Now, I can understand alternating Sundays or bi- monthly taking turns. This might work with the right couple, but this description is a little iffy.

 

Is Sunday School, Life Groups, or whatever the concept is called, biblical to begin with? I have long resolved that this is just not what is being referred to regarding "speak in the church," older women teaching younger women, women not teaching men, and so on. If it is, then where are the 2 or 3 prophets who speak, the 2 or at the most 3 who speak in tongues, et al? If you think this does qualify as "the (or a) church," then let the nursery classes and primaries have their own prophets and such. These sub-groups support the church and the church supports them, but I see no reason to regard them as one and the same for rules and procedures.

 

We have the biblical example of Priscilla and Aquilla. They are mentioned, if I recall correctly, four times in the New Testament. When they are mentioned in the context of teaching, Priscilla's name is first. When they are mentioned not in the context of teaching, Aquilla is named first. For those who are familiar with ancient literature, the real surprise is that Priscilla is mentioned at all. The fact that she was mentioned by name at all means she was prominent in the early church and the fact that she was mentioned first in the context of teaching indicates she was likely the primary teacher of the husband/wife team.

 

Are missionaries who are woman allowed to teach on their mission field, to instruct and train up male leadership though?

 

What are we going to do with Paul's instructions (as an Apostle to a 'Pastor') to Timothy ... Cross it out with a sharpie and pretend it isn't scripture?

1 Timothy 2:8-15 NKJV

8 I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; 9 in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, 10 but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works. 11 Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. 12 And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. 15 Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.​

 

I agree with inspired scriptures regarding the role distinction between men and women in the Church, but also would like to know why female missionaries allowed to do overseas what not able to do here!

 

I don't really see how anyone can argue that they are allowed (Biblically) to teach or be in authority over a man. They can certainly share the Gospel with anyone, but a church founded by a woman will be starting out sending a contra-biblical message on the roles of men and women. It didn't work in Corinth. It hasn't worked in a lot of the liberal denominations that ordain women. I see no reason why God should have suddenly changed his mind about something as basic as gender roles.

Now I know women who appear to be more capable teachers than many male teachers that I have met. I even know women who have preached more Biblically sound sermons from a pulpit than most ordained ministers that I have heard preach. I have no idea why God who makes no distinction between male and female in so many areas of Christian service would ban all women from teaching and leading men ... but Paul's message is unambiguous.

No woman is to be in authority over men (Pastor/Elder/Deacon/Teacher).
"Don't eat from this one particular tree" didn't make sense either, but look at the trouble when people disobeyed.
So whether I completely understand why, or not, I am not going to ignore this rule ... no women in authority over me because GOD SAID SO!