Mixed Gender Bible Studies?

It is not common among Baptist "circles".
And I do not know of any Scriptural support for it.
I think it is entirely up to the pastor.
If you ask me, I would say that this type of pastor would usually be the "don't-you-dare-go-against-the-'anointed'-of-God" type of pastor who would take all the tithes and offerings, disperse of the funds according as he sees fit, and may or may not post an accounting of the funds.
I've seen some of these among those of the BBF, both the practice and the pastor.

But I could be wrong.

 

We've divided up in men's and women's classes for a study of the Song of Solomon. We thought there might be more open discussion of the more erotic portions of the text. However, we normally don't divide up.

 

I have been to only one "women only" Sunday school class/small group by choice back in the early 90's, but at that time, I wasn't much interested in mixing with the men freaks at that church at the time. Otherwise, I have always been a part of mixed. Some people prefer gender only groups. Not me.

 

A couple of texts come to mind that might be possibles.

When I was a child my mother took me to SS and church in a Christian church and the separate classes was their style for the mid to older women. I think the young couples met together but I don't know - could have been separate.

Personally I think separated might be good now and then to see how everyone likes it. It used to be (not so much anymore) that there was more freedom to talk among peers.

We also attended a small SBC church in Wyoming where they separated and it worked quite well. There is was all ages together. I'd guess tradition more than any real reason. It was a very traditional. This was about 15 years ago.

I Tim 2.12 " But I suffer not a woman to teach , nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence."

Titus 2.3ff " The aged women likewise, that [they be] in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 [To be] discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed."

I Cor. 14.34 " Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but [they are commanded] to be under obedience, as also saith the law. 35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home : for it is a shame for women to speak in the church."

 

I have been in both and I prefer the women and men separately.

Too many times, I have seen the wife sit quietly and let her husband do all the talking in mixed groups.

I think it's a Baptist 'thing'.

 

we like being in a class together

 

Not my wife

Seriously, I treasure her input is Bible discussions. Our Sunday night service is adult Bible Study and Sunday School for children. She is teaching a Sunday School class now and I really miss her contribution to the Bible study. The women speak just as much as the men do in our little group of 10-12.

 

I love to sit quietly and let my man do the talking.

 

you sadist you !
:laugh:

 

What is the scriptural support for this idea of a round-table mixed-gender Bible study where everyone shares different views? Is there any example of this in Scripture? Any command for it?

 

I've seen the same thing---except reversed!!! I've seen the husbands sit quietly while the wives discuss

 

No more than for Sunday School, radio ministries, or Christian schools.

 

Indeed. It seems that the OP assumed that mixed-gender, round-table, everyone-gives-a-view Bible studies are the norm, and that we need scriptural evidence to depart from it. I don't think that is the case at all.

First, "everyone-gives-a-view" is not necessarily a good way to study the Bible. It introduces a lot of bad doctrine, and puts the teacher in the uncomfortable position of having to correct someone publicly. It can also amount to pooled ignorance since many views are simply that. I think the predominant pattern of Scripture is proclamation rather than discussion. I think that perhaps needs to be given some serious thought as to why it is that way. We have both types of meetings here, and we do it on purpose, but we need to think hard about why we would choose one over the other.

Second, there are both positives and negatives to gender-mixing. We have done and do both from time to time, though most of ours are mixed gender meetings. It is quite often the case that the women are more vocal than men, though I have rarely found it to be the opposite. It is also the case that sometimes topics are better handled in gender-exclusive settings.

 

We went to a midweek study in a home and the leader read a passage in the beatitudes and asked what it meant. Just about everyone had a thought, some the same, some different. After everyone had their say the leader said, "Well, that was good. I'm not sure what the passage means but I'm sure one of those ideas is the correct one." :tonofbricks:

 

I think the obvious answer to this is the teaching style of Jesus with those he met and among the disciples who followed him closely. Jesus often entered into conversation, asking questions, challenging views, and giving insight. We can see this in John's gospel, and to a lessor extent, Matthew and Luke.

 

I am not sure that is obvious, though I think that is perhaps the only possible biblical justification. I don't think Jesus' style of teaching is what most people think of when they think of a small group Bible study.

 

This is really a personal to the congregation issue.

I belong to a larger church and we:

Keep the younger kids (6th grade and below) in mixed groups in SS and Summer Missions. Winter Missions (RA's and GA's) are separate.

Older kids (7th and up) separated in SS and mixed on Wednesday nights.

Adults get to choose. We have a variety of classes both mixed and separate.

Personally, I go to a ladies only class as my husband doesn't attend church with us.