TGOC Bible Class Curricula – Genesis – 4th Quarter

Objective: To challenge the teacher(s) and students to have a working knowledge of GENESIS

CHOOSE 1 CURRICULUM idea (of 3) below (on how to teach GENESIS in 13 weeks/13 lessons):

1. Spend 13 weeks on 4 Major Events and 4 Major Characters of Genesis

   1.   1. The Creation (Major Event #1); Intro to Genesis & CreationGenesis 1

        2. The Creation & The Fall (Major Event # 2)Genesis 2-3

        3. The Flood (Major Event #3)Genesis 6-9

        4. The Tower of Babel (Major Event #4) and AbrahamGenesis 10-13

        5. Abraham (Major Character #1)Genesis 14-17

        6. AbrahamGenesis 18-20

        7. Abraham & Isaac (Major Character #2)Genesis 21:1 – 25:18

        8. Isaac & Jacob (Major Character #3)Genesis 25:19 – 28:9

        9. JacobGenesis 28:10 – 31:55

      10. JacobGenesis 32-36

      11. Joseph (Major Character #4)Genesis 37-41

      12. JosephGenesis 42-45

      13. JosephGenesis 46-50

      
       
2. Spend 13 weeks on Topics from the book of Genesis
   1. The Existence of God
   2. The Character of God
   3. The Origin of the Universe
   4. Theistic Evolution: The Gap Theory & the Day-Age Theory
   5. Genesis: A Foundational and Necessary Part of the Bible
   6. The 3 Ages/Dispensations of Mankind
   7. The Sin of Man
   8. God’s Judgment
   9. God’s Covenants
   10. God’s Seed Promise/Seed Lineage
   11. God’s Providence
   12. The 12 Sons of Jacob/Israel
   13. Events/Characters of Genesis and the New Testament

[Use our website as well as apologeticspress.org to gather materials for some of the above topics]

1. Spend 13 weeks on VERSE-BY-VERSE study of GENESIS (approx. 117 verses per week) 
   [Everyone read/study these verses a week prior to the following schedule]:
   1. Genesis 1-4
   2. Genesis 5-9
   3. Genesis 10-13
   4. Genesis 14-18
   5. Genesis 19-22
   6. Genesis 23-25
   7. Genesis 26-28
   8. Genesis 29-31
   9. Genesis 32-35
   10. Genesis 36-39
   11. Genesis 40-42
   12. Genesis 43-46
   13. Genesis 47-50

MEMORY WORK

1. Memorizing VERSES in Genesis for the Quarter:
   1. Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
   2. Genesis 2:24, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”
   3. Genesis 3:15, “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.”
   4. Genesis 12:3, “I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
   5. Optional Shortened Memory Verses for younger/beginner students:
      1. Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
      2. Genesis 1:27, “God created man in His own image…”
      3. Genesis 2:24, “…a man shall…be joined to his wife…”
2. Memorizing Genesis Facts (advanced) for the Quarter:
   1. The 2 major divisions of the Bible and some of their differences (2 Timothy 2:15)
      1. Old Testament
         1. Genesis: God formed man, spoke to the fathers of the families and gave them His will orally and individually (Genesis 2:16-17; 6:13; 12:1-3; etc.)
         2. Exodus – Malachi: God formed His nation Israel and gave them the written Law of Moses and the rest of the Old Testament (Exodus 20:1-17; 31:12-17; 2 Corinthians 3:6-16; Hebrews 8:6-13; etc.)
      2. New Testament
         1. Jesus died (became the sacrificial Lamb of the New Testament), was buried, was raised from the dead, ascended into heaven and sat at the right hand of God as the High Priest and Mediator of the New Testament (1 Corinthians 15:1-8; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 9:11-26; 10:12, 19-22; 1 Peter 1:18-19; Revelation 7:14; etc.)
         2. Jesus purchased His church/kingdom, the church of Christ, with His own blood (Matthew 16:18; Acts 2:38, 41, 47; 20:28; Ephesians 5:23-27; etc.)
         3. Jesus speaks His will to us today through His written word, the New Testament (Matthew 28:18; Colossians 3:17; Hebrews 1:1-3; etc.)
         4. We will be judged by the words of Jesus (the New Testament) in the last day (John 12:48)
   2. The 3 major ages/dispensations of the Bible
      1. The Patriarchal Age (From Genesis 1 until Exodus 20 & Job; from Adam until Moses)
         1. A Period of about 2500+ years (approximately 4000-1445 B.C.)
         2. God spoke orally and directly to the fathers (“patriarch” means “father-ruler”) who acted as priests for their individual families
         3. There were some things, no doubt, that all individual families were required to obey (such as, worshiping God, not murdering, etc.); but there were other instructions that were unique to certain families (Noah was commanded to build an ark; Abraham was commanded to offer his son as a burnt sacrifice to God, etc.)
      2. The Mosaical/Jewish Age (From Exodus 20 until Acts 2; from Moses until the NT church)
         1. A Period of less than 1500 years (approximately 1445 B.C. – A.D. 30)
         2. God formed His nation Israel, spoke to them through mediators (Moses & Joshua), priests (such as Aaron), judges (such as Gideon), kings (such as David) and prophets (such as Jeremiah). He gave Israel His written will through the Law of Moses and the rest of the Old Testament. This Law, especially the requirement of Sabbath-keeping, was not known to the Patriarchs (Deuteronomy 5:1-3; Nehemiah 9:13-15).
         3. All the nation of Israel was required to obey the Old Testament Law
      3. The Christian Age (From Acts 2 through Revelation and until the end of time)
         1. A Period that began about A.D. 30 until now (and will continue till the second coming of Jesus). Called the “last days” (Hebrews 1:1-3).
         2. Jesus built and bought His church/kingdom, the church of Christ (Matthew 16:18; Acts 2:38, 41, 47; 20:28). Jesus initially spoke to us about the New Testament gospel through John the Immerser and his disciples. Then Jesus and His disciples began to speak the gospel. Then the Holy Spirit guided the apostles and prophets to record all of Jesus’ doctrine into the completed New Testament (from about A.D. 45 – A.D. 95; John 14:26; 16:13; Ephesians 2:20; 3:5; 2 Peter 1:19-21; 2 Peter 3:2; etc.; no additional revelations: 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Jude1:3)
         3. The gospel is not only to be preached to all families and the nation of Israel, but to “all nations” (Mark 16:15-16; Matthew 28:18-20). All accountable persons are amenable to the gospel/New Testament.
   3. The 66 Books of the Bible and Their General Classifications
      1. Old Testament (39 Books)
         1. Law (of the Jewish People): Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
         2. History (of the Jewish People): Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1&2 Samuel, 1&2 Kings, 1&2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther
         3. Poetry (of the Jewish People): Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon
         4. Prophecy (of the Jewish People)
            1. Major (Larger Books) Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel
            2. Minor (Smaller Books) Prophets: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zachariah, Malachi
      2. New Testament (27 Books)
         1. Gospels (good news about Jesus): Matthew, Mark, Luke, John
         2. History (of the beginning and growth of the church of Christ): Acts
         3. Letters
            1. Paul’s Letters (to churches of Christ and individual Christians): Romans, 1&2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1&2 Thessalonians, 1&2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon (and some include Hebrews)
            2. General Letters (to Christians in general): Hebrews, James, 1&2 Peter, 1,2&3 John, Jude
         4. Prophecy (Apocalyptic Literature to churches of Christ): Revelation
   4. The 4 Major Events, 4 Major Characters: The General Outline of the Book of Genesis
      1. 4 Major Events (Genesis 1 – 11:9)
         1. The Creation (of Heavens and Earth)
         2. The Fall (in Sin of Humanity)
         3. The (Universal) Flood
         4. The Tower of Babel
      2. 4 Major Characters (Genesis 11:10 – 50)
         1. Abraham
         2. Isaac
         3. Jacob
         4. Joseph
   5. The 3 Theories concerning the Origin of the Universe (see outline below)
   6. The 6 Days of Creation (see outline below)
   7. The 4 Covenants of God in Genesis (see outline below)
   8. The 12 sons/tribes of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Benjamin, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Joseph
   9. The Significant Human Ancestors/Lineage of Jesus in Genesis: Adam--> Seth==> Enoch--> Methuselah--> Lamech--> Noah--> Shem==>Terah--> Abraham--> Isaac--> Jacob--> Judah--> Perez
      [note: single arrow means next person in line; double arrow means several generations are between these significant persons]
3. Beginners/Younger Classes: Memorize The Following “Genesis Facts” for the Quarter:
   1. How many books of the Bible (66); How many in the Old (39), in the New (27)
   2. How many days did it take for God to create heavens, earth and life (6)
   3. Name the sons of Adam and Eve (Cain, Abel, Seth)
   4. Name the first sin committed by Eve (she at the fruit that God said not to eat)
   5. With what did God clothe Adam and Eve (tunics or robes – from shoulder to at least knee)
   6. Name the oldest man on record (Methuselah); How old was he (969)
   7. Name Methuselah’s grandson (Noah)
   8. Name the sons of Noah (Shem, Ham, Japheth)
   9. What major event caused God to separate everyone on the earth and give them different languages (Tower of Babel)
   10. Name the son of Abraham and Sarah (Isaac)
   11. Name the sons of Isaac (Jacob, Esau)
   12. What name did God give Jacob (Israel)
   13. How many sons did Israel have (12)
   14. How many daughters did Israel have (1); Name her (Dinah)
   15. Of the 12 sons of Israel, through whom did Jesus come (Judah)
   16. What did Joseph do as soon as a woman tried to get him to sin (he ran away from her)

Beginners/Younger Classes: QUESTIONS on GENESIS

[Go over about 6+ new questions per week as well as repeat some old ones each week]

Week 1: Genesis 1

1. What did God create on the 1st day (Light)

2. What did God create on the 2nd day (Firmament)

3. What did God create on the 3rd day (Land & Vegetation)

4. What did God create on the 4th day (Sun, Moon & Stars)

5. What did God create on the 5th day (Water & Flying Animals)

6. What did God create on the 6th day (Land Animals & Humans Beings)

Week 2: Genesis 1-3

1. What did God create on the 1st day (Light)

2. What did God create on the 2nd day (Firmament)

3. What did God create on the 3rd day (Land & Vegetation)

4. What did God create on the 4th day (Sun, Moon & Stars)

5. What did God create on the 5th day (Water & Flying Animals)

6. What did God create on the 6th day (Land Animals & Humans Beings)

7. What did God create on the 7th day (He did not. He rested/ceased creating)

8. Out of what did God create Adam (Dust)

9. Out of what did God create Eve (Adams’ Rib)

10. Name the 1st married couple in the Bible (Adam & Eve)

11. What type of job(s) did Adam do to provide for his family (Farmer & Gardner)

12. Name the 1st human being to sin/die spiritually (Eve)

13. Name the 1st sin committed by a human being (Eve ate the forbidden fruit)

14. With what did God clothed Adam & Eve (Tunic/Robe – from shoulder to at least knee)

Week 3: Genesis 4-5

1. Who did Cain kill (his brother Abel - the 1st human murder & the 1st human, physical death)

2. Cain’s son Enoch was the 1st what (City Builder)

3. Name the 3 sons of Adam & Eve (Cain, Abel, Seth)

4. Of the 3 sons of Adam, through whom did Jesus come (Seth)

5. Name the 1st human who did not die but was taken by God (Enoch, Seth’s - not Cain’s - descendant)

6. Name the oldest human on record (Methuselah, Noah’s granddad); How old was he? 969

7. Name the 3 sons of Noah (Shem, Ham, Japheth)

8. Of the 3 sons of Noah, through whom did Jesus come (Shem)

Week 4: Genesis 4-7

1. Who did Cain kill (his brother Abel - the 1st human murder & the 1st human, physical death)

2. Cain’s son Enoch was the 1st what (City Builder)

3. Name the 3 sons of Adam & Eve (Cain, Abel, Seth)

4. Of the 3 sons of Adam, through whom did Jesus come (Seth)

5. Name the 1st human who did not die but was taken by God (Enoch, Seth’s - not Cain’s - descendant)

6. Name the oldest human on record (Methuselah, Noah’s granddad); How old was he? 969

7. Name the 3 sons of Noah (Shem, Ham, Japheth)

8. Of the 3 sons of Noah, through whom did Jesus come (Shem)

9. Name the 1st boat (Noah’s Ark)

10. Who all entered Noah’s Ark (Noah, his wife, his sons, their wives & the animals they brought)

11. What is the total number of humans who entered the ark (8)

12. How many years old was Noah when he entered the ark (600)

13. Into the ark Noah was to take 7 males & females each of what kind of animal (Clean)

14. How many each of unclean animals was Noah commanded to take into the ark (2)

Week 5: Genesis 6-11

1. Name the 1st boat (Noah’s Ark)

2. Who all entered Noah’s Ark (Noah, his wife, his sons, their wives & the animals they brought)

3. What is the total number of humans who entered the ark (8)

4. How many years old was Noah when he entered the ark (600)

5. Into the ark Noah was to take 7 males & females each of what kind of animal (Clean)

6. How many each of unclean animals was Noah commanded to take into the ark (2)

7. Name the earth’s very 1st rain (The Flood of Noah’s Day)

8. How long did it rain in order to flood the entire earth (40 days & 40 nights)

9. What animals were not destroyed by the Flood of Noah’s day (Water Animals/Fish)

10. How long was the earth flooded/did Noah & his family live in the ark (1 year, 10 days)

11. Name the 1st empire builder who built Babel (Nimrod - Noah’s great-grandson)

12. What major event recorded in Genesis caused God to separate everyone on the earth and give them different languages (Tower of Babel)

Week 6: Genesis 11

1. What major event recorded in Genesis caused God to separate everyone on the earth and give them different languages (Tower of Babel)

2. Of the 3 sons of Noah, through whom did Abraham come (Shem)

3. How is Lot kin to Abraham (Lot is Abraham’s Nephew)

4. Name Abraham’s 1st wife (Sarah)

5. Besides being his wife, how else was Sarah kin to Abraham (Sarah was Abraham’s ½ sister)

Week 7: Genesis 11-25

1. What major event recorded in Genesis caused God to separate everyone on the earth and give them different languages (Tower of Babel)

2. Of the 3 sons of Noah, through whom did Abraham come (Shem)

3. How is Lot kin to Abraham (Lot is Abraham’s Nephew)

4. Name Abraham’s 1st wife (Sarah)

5. Besides being his wife, how else was Sarah kin to Abraham (Sarah was Abraham’s ½ sister)

6. Name the 2 sons of Lot (Moab & Ammon)

7. Who was Melchizedek (King of Salem & Priest of God)

8. Name Abraham & Hagar’s son (Ishmael)

9. Name Abraham & Sarah’s son (Isaac)

10. After Abraham’s wife Sarah died, who did he marry (Keturah)

11. Name the 2 sons of Isaac (Jacob & Esau)

Week 8: Genesis 25-29

1. What was Esau’s other name (Edom)

2. How long did Jacob work for Laban before he unknowingly married Leah (7 years)

3. How many years did Jacob work for his 2nd wife Rachel (7 years)

4. How much time passed from Jacob’s marriage to Leah before he married Rachel (1 week)

5. How was Isaac’s wife Rebekah kin/related to him (2nd cousin)

Week 9: Genesis 25-40

1. What was Esau’s other name (Edom)

2. How long did Jacob work for Laban before he unknowingly married Leah (7 years)

3. How many years did Jacob work for his 2nd wife Rachel (7 years)

4. How much time passed from Jacob’s marriage to Leah before he married Rachel (1 week)

5. How was Isaac’s wife Rebekah kin/related to him (2nd cousin)

6. How long did Jacob have to work for livestock (6 more years)

7. Name the 2 sons of Jacob and Rachel (Joseph & Benjamin)

8. What was Jacob’s other name (Israel)

9. How many sons did Israel have (12)

Week 10: Genesis 35

Memorize the 12 sons of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Zebulun, Issachar, Dan, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Joseph, Benjamin

Week 11: Genesis 35

Memorize the 12 sons of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Zebulun, Issachar, Dan, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Joseph, Benjamin

Week 12: Genesis 30-50

1. Of the 12 sons of Israel, through whom did Jesus come (Judah)

2. How many daughters did Israel have (1); Name Israel’s daughter (Dinah)

3. How old was Joseph when he told on his brothers (17)

4. What did Joseph do as soon as a woman tried to get him to sin with her (he ran away from her)

5. How long was Joseph in prison (2 years)

Week 13: Genesis 30-50

1. Of the 12 sons of Israel, through whom did Jesus come (Judah)

2. How many daughters did Israel have (1); Name Israel’s daughter (Dinah)

3. How old was Joseph when he told on his brothers (17)

4. What did Joseph do as soon as a woman tried to get him to sin with her (he ran away from her)

5. How long was Joseph in prison (2 years)

6. How old was Joseph when he left prison? (30)

7. Name the 2 sons of Joseph (Ephraim & Manasseh)

8. How old was Joseph when he died (110 years)

More Advanced QUESTIONS on GENESIS [answers are not provided]

Week 1: Genesis 1

1. What two persons in the Godhead are mentioned in Genesis 1?
2. What was the earth like before God began to form the various features and creatures?
3. What two divisions does Genesis 1 mention that made up each day God created?
4. Name the two distinct genders God created mankind to be?
5. God made human beings to be above and superior to what?

Week 2: Genesis (2, 2, 2, 3, 3)

1. Before the universal Flood of Noah’s day, how was the surface of the earth watered?
2. What was Adam’s occupation?
3. What did God tell Adam and Eve would happen if they partook of the forbidden fruit?
4. Once Adam and Eve sinned, with what did they clothe themselves? With what did God clothe them?
5. What two things will greatly be multiplied in women as a consequence of Eve’s (all women’s, Romans 5:12) sin?

Week 3: Genesis (6, 6, 7, 7, 8)

1. What happened in Noah’s day when the sons of God (the godly men of Seth’s descendants) intermarried with the daughters of men (the ungodly women of Cain’s descendants; compare to 1 Corinthians 15:33; 2 Corinthians 6:14-17)?
2. Once God revealed His decision to destroy the earth with a universal flood, how many years did He give Noah to prepare the ark and preach to the people?
3. How old was Noah when he entered the ark?
4. In reading Genesis 7:21-23 what creatures were most likely NOT destroyed by the flood?
5. How old was Noah when he stepped out of the ark?

Week 4: Genesis (11, 11, 12, 12, 13)

1. What plurality of persons came down and confused the people who were determined to build a tower to the heavens?
2. In studying Genesis 11:26; 20:12, how was Abram (Abraham) and Sarai (Sarah) kin?
3. How would all the families of the earth be blessed in Abraham?
4. What did Abraham tell his wife to say in order to mislead Pharaoh and the Egyptians?
5. How was wealth measured in Abraham’s day?

Week 5: Genesis (14, 14, 14, 15, 17)

1. When the 4 pagan kings defeated the 5 pagan kings in the Valley of Siddim, what important person (along with his wealth) did the 4 kings take captive?
2. What was God’s people called before they became known as the circumcision, the nation of Israel, the Jews?
3. Name the priestly king of Abraham’s day to whom Abraham gave a tithe.
4. God tells Abraham that his descendants (the nation of Israel) will not return to Canaan land from their Egyptian captivity for 4 generations until what happens?
5. How old was Abraham and Sarah when Isaac was born?

Week 6: Genesis (18, 18, 18, 18, 19)

1. How did Yahweh (the LORD) appear to Abraham when He told him that he through his wife Sarah was going to have a son?
2. List the acts of hospitality Abraham administered to the men who came to tell him Sarah was going to have a son.
3. What lie did Sarah tell the LORD to cover up her fear and unbelief about having a son?
4. List the various amounts of righteous persons who would have to reside in Sodom in order for God not to destroy it.
5. According to Genesis 18:13, 16, 22; 19:1 (Hebrews 13:2), what was the real identities of the men who came to see Abraham?

Week 7: Genesis (21, 21, 22, 22, 24)

1. Ironically, what does the name of Abraham and Sarah’s son “Isaac” mean?
2. How did Ishmael (Abraham and Hagar’s son) get a wife?
3. In light of Genesis 21:9-10, 13; 22:2, 12, 16, how is Isaac Abraham’s “only” son?
4. According to Genesis 22:18, why would all the nations of the earth be blessed?
5. According to Genesis 24:1-4, 58-67, how did Isaac get his wife?

Week 8: Genesis (25, 25, 25, 26, 27)

1. How old was Isaac when he married Rebekah?
2. List the names of the first twins mentioned in the Bible.
3. Who was Edom?
4. What lie did Isaac tell Abimelech, king of the Philistines?
5. List the 3 lies told to Isaac by his son Jacob.

Week 9: Genesis (28, 29, 29, 31, 31)

1. After Jacob awakened from his dream about the ladder, what did he promise he would give to Yahweh (compare what his grandfather Abraham gave to Melchizedek)?
2. After Jacob had unknowingly worked seven years for Leah, how many weeks or years was it before he could marry his choice wife, Rachel?
3. In what unique way did Yahweh show compassion on Leah who was “hated” (“loved less”, compare Luke 14:26) by Jacob?
4. What did Rachel steal from her father Laban?
5. What was the total amount of years that Jacob served his uncle Laban for his two wives and his flock?

Week 10: Genesis (32, 33, 34, 35, 36)

1. With whom did Jacob wrestle that led to his name being changed to Israel?
2. It was ancient custom for one to bow before his superiors how many times (as Jacob did to his older brother Esau)?
3. Name the only daughter of Jacob/Israel (through Leah).
4. How does the Scripture define death; what happens when you die (Rachel’s death)?
5. Of which nation was Esau the father?

Week 11: Genesis (37, 38, 39, 40, 41)

1. How old was Joseph when he told his father and brothers that he had a dream that they would bow down to him?
2. Through whom did Judah have twins?
3. When Potiphar’s wife cast longing eyes on Joseph and tried to get him to sin against his master and his God, what did Joseph do?
4. The chief butler was the one who made sure the “wine” for the Pharaoh was fresh and untainted (safe). The “wine”, therefore, was not the fermented wine of our day, but that which was freshly squeezed from what (compare Isaiah 65:8)?
5. How old was Joseph when he stood before Pharaoh and was made second in command of Egypt?

Week 12: Genesis (42, 42, 43, 44, 45)

1. What did Joseph’s brothers “see” in Joseph back when they mistreated him that reminded them of their guilt years later?
2. When all the brothers’ hearts sank with fear because their money had been restored to their sacks, who did they think caused this to happen to them (they thought it was bad)?
3. Of the brothers of Joseph, who was willing to take full responsibility (surety) for bringing his youngest brother Benjamin back to his father Israel safely?
4. In light of Genesis 44, name the moral “evil” of which the brothers of Joseph were falsely accused; and name the natural “evil” that might have come upon the brothers’ father Israel if Benjamin had not been returned to him.
5. Who did Joseph say worked through all these horrible events that occurred to him which resulted in the preservation of his life as well as his family and the lives of the people of his day?

Week 13: Genesis (46, 47, 48, 49, 50)

1. What is the total number of the family of Jacob (including Joseph and his sons, but not the wives) who dwelt in Egypt?
2. When the Egyptians’ money was devalued and they had to resort to bartering in order to survive, what did the Egyptians sell to Pharaoh (their government) in the 1st year? In the 2nd year? In the 3rd year? and thereafter what percentage of tax did they have to pay every year?
3. Of the two sons of Joseph, who did Israel bless above the other?
4. Of the twelve sons/tribes of Israel, through whom did the King come?
5. After Israel died, of what was Joseph’s brothers afraid?

The Three Theories Concerning the Origin of the Universe

By David Ray Fanning 1

1. The Universe Is Eternal (Theory #1)
   1. The universe has always existed and was not created by anything or anyone
   2. The “Big Bang” theory is one attempt at this false position. The idea is that several billion years ago all the universe’s matter/energy (concentrated in a single point, the size of the head of a pin) exploded, forming what we now know as the universe
   3. Some problems with this theory
      1. This only (wrongfully) explains the effect – not the cause or origin (in other words, it does not provide proof for what caused the matter or what caused the explosion)
      2. Explosions produce disorder (not order). Explosions destroy (not create/form)
      3. Such an explosion would have propelled radially not curvilinear
      4. Such an explosion would have produced a perfectly uniform universe; yet our universe has empty spaces in some parts and huge masses in others
2. The Universe Is Not Eternal; It Created Itself (Theory #2)
   1. The universe created itself spontaneously (all of a sudden)
   2. The “Spontaneous Generation” or “Abiogenesis” theory is one attempt at this false position. The idea is that the universe just automatically appeared from nowhere out of nothing.
   3. Some problems with this theory
      1. It violates the First Law of Thermodynamics: “The first law of thermodynamics is a version of the law of conservation of energy [which] states that the total energy of an isolated system is constant; energy can be transformed from one form to another, but cannot be created or destroyed.” (Wikipedia)
      2. It violates the Second Law of Thermodynamics: “The Second Law of Thermodynamics is commonly known as the Law of Increased Entropy. While quantity remains the same (First Law), the quality of matter/energy deteriorates gradually over time….’Entropy’ is defined as a measure of unusable energy within a closed or isolated system (the universe for example). As usable energy decreases and unusable energy increases, ‘entropy’ increases. Entropy is also a gauge of randomness or chaos within a closed system. As usable energy isirretrievably lost, disorganization, randomness and chaos increase.” (allaboutscience.org)
      3. It violates the Law of Biogenesis: “…living things come only from other living things, by reproduction (e.g. a spider lays eggs, which develop into spiders). That is, life does not arise from non-living material…” (Wikipedia)
3. The Universe Is Not Eternal; It Was Created by a Higher Power (Theory #3/Fact)
   1. Every effect must have a cause (The Law of Causality; Romans 1:20)
   2. Life must come from life (Law of Biogenesis; Genesis 2:7)
   3. All that exists is either mind or matter. Matter is not eternal (The First Law of Thermodynamics; 2 Peter 3:10-11). Therefore, Mind must be eternal (Romans 1:20; 1 Timothy 1:17; etc.).

The Six Days of Creation in Genesis 1-2

By David Ray Fanning 1

God created the heavens and earth out of nothing, that is, by simply speaking them into existence (not in its present form as we know it, but in its “empty state” or “bare” form (think of Play-Doh before you start giving it form or Mr. Potato Head before you start creating his look). The created “heavens” do not yet have an atmosphere, sun, moon or stars and the “earth” does not yet have land, light and life (but is all darkness and deepness). Once God creates heavens and earth in its empty state, He then creates on…

Genesis 1:3-5

Day 1     Light (God “divided” the light from the darkness and called the light “Day” and the darkness “Night”. So God creates light, before He creates the sun 3 days later, and then begins to form or define it by dividing it from darkness).

Genesis 1:6-8

Day 2     Firmament (that is, an expanse which is above the earth; what we call the atmosphere or sky, see Genesis 1:14, as well as the universe, see Genesis 1:20. So God creates an expanse that He calls “Heaven(s)” and then further defines it by separating the waters, that is, the moisture in the sky/atmosphere from the waters on the earth – before He creates the land on the 3rd day).

Genesis 1:9-13

Day 3     Land, Seas, Plant Kingdom (God then takes “the deep” on the earth and further forms it by grouping it together into what He calls “Seas” and causes the dry land appear, which He calls “Earth” - referring to the land masses that are on the Earth. Then God creates living things that make up the Plant Kingdom and enables them to reproduce themselves. Plant Kingdom includes grass, herbs and trees).

Genesis 1:14-19

Day 4     Sun, Moon, Stars (God makes the substance or essence of light itself on day 1, but He makes the generators or carriers of light on day 4 in order to govern the days, seasons and years)

Genesis 1:20-23

Day 5     Water, Sky Animals (God had already supplied the earth with plant life on day 3 and now He supplies the water and the sky with animal life. This is also the time when God creates some of the dinosaurs – not 65 million years ago as pseudo-science tries to teach – but several thousand years before Christ was born)

Genesis 1:24-31

Day 6     Land Animals and Human Beings (Now God supplies the land with animal life, including the other dinosaurs as well as the greatest creation of all – mankind. Adam was formed from earth’s dust and God’s breath and Eve was made from Adam’s rib, Genesis 2:7, 22)

Genesis 2:1-3

Day 7:    God rested (that is, He ceased from creating heavens and earth)

The 4 Covenants of God in Genesis

By David Ray Fanning 1

1. The Covenant Made in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:15-17).
   God instructs Adam & Eve…
   1. To populate the earth (Genesis 1:28)
   2. To subdue (“bring under control”) the earth (Genesis 1:28)
   3. To exercise dominion (“authority”) over the animals (Genesis 1:28)
   4. To take care of the Garden of Eden and enjoy its produce (Genesis 1:29; 2:15)
   5. Not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:16-17) 
      
      Adam and Eve broke this covenant with God by eating the forbidden fruit and was, consequently, cast out of the Garden of Eden (no longer enjoying its benefits)
2. The Covenant Made in Light of Man’s Initial Sin (Genesis 3:14-21)
   1. Satan/the snake is cursed
      1. The upright snake (the creature Satan chose to possess) was forced to crawl on its belly due to Satan’s lies and deception (Genesis 3:14)
      2. Though Satan would enjoy limited freedom, power and success, his power would eventually be crushed by Jesus (Genesis 3:15)
   2. Man (due to his/her sin) was now in need of the Savior coming to earth and bruising (limiting) the head (power) of Satan (Genesis 3:15)
   3. Woman is cursed (Genesis 3:16)
      1. Her ability to conceive a child is multiplied
      2. Her pain in child-bearing is multiplied
      3. Her subjection to her husband is increased (woman was already made by God for the man as his helper; now, even though she may have a desire at times to rule over her husband, she must assume her God-given role and submit to her husband [Compare “Your desire shall be for (toward) your husband” to “its (sin’s) desire is for (toward) you (Cain) in Genesis 4:7]).
   4. The ground is cursed (thorns & thistles start growing, Genesis 3:17-19)
   5. Man is cursed (Genesis 3:19)
      1. The difficulty of his work increases (he perspires)
      2. Instead of living forever in his physical body, now man will have to work, produce/obtain and eat food in order to sustain his physical life for as long as he lives on this earth
      3. Man & woman will now die spiritually and physically
         
         The effects of this covenant will not end until Jesus comes a second time
3. The Covenant Made with Noah (Genesis 9:1-19)
   1. Some things repeated in this covenant from the covenant in the Garden
      1. Man is to populate the earth (Genesis 9:1)
      2. Man is to exercise authority over the animals (Genesis 9:2)
   2. Man may eat animal flesh, but not the raw blood (Genesis 9:3-4)
   3. The sacredness of life is emphasized. The animal or man who sheds the blood of a man or woman (kills a man/woman) must be put to death (Genesis 9:5-6)
   4. God promises He will never flood the entire earth again. God places the rainbow in the sky as a reminder of this covenant and His promise (Genesis 9:11-17) 
      
      Although this covenant was broken (some of those under it consumed raw blood and committed murder), God’s promise not to flood the entire earth remains
4. The Covenant Made with Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3)
   1. God’s personal promise to Abraham
      1. He would be the father of a great nation (the Hebrews/Israel/the Jews)
      2. He would receive personal blessings, such as honor and a good name
      3. He would be the source of blessings to others, but a curse to those who tried to harm him
   2. God’s promise to mankind through Abraham
      1. Through Abraham’s seed/offspring, all the nations (Jews and Gentiles, the world) would be blessed (especially spiritually speaking)
      2. Through Abraham, Jesus would come be born into the world and offer salvation to all

   Faithful Christians continue to reap the benefits of this covenant through Jesus

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TGOC Bible Class Curricula - How To Study The Bible (1st Quarter) - Lesson # 1: The Importance of Hermeneutics

Introduction

1. The study of biblical hermeneutics is the science of biblical interpretation.

2. The word “hermeneutics” comes from the Greek word hermeneuo meaning “to translate, interpret, or explain.” (Biblical Interpretation: Principles and Practice, Kearley, Myers, and Hadley, editors, p. 31).

3. God frowns heavily upon those who remain spiritual simpletons (Hebrews 5:12-6:3; 1 Corinthians 3:1-4). 

4. God desires that man matures in the knowledge of His word and is pleased with those who study and grow thereby (2 Timothy 2:15; 2 Peter 3:18; 1 Peter 2:2).

5. The “man of God” of 2 Timothy 3:16,17 is a man whose life is dedicated to learning and following the precepts found in God's word.

The Bible Was Meant To Be Understood

1. Studying biblical hermeneutics is important.

2. God expects mankind to understand His word.

3. If it is the case that a proper knowledge of the Bible is necessary for the salvation of the soul, then it necessarily follows that knowing how to properly interpret the Bible is essential.

4. Some claim you cannot know God's word (i.e, that you can never arrive at the truth). Jesus claimed, on the other hand, that you can know the truth (John 8:31,32).

5. Those who falsely teach that the Bible cannot be understood are, by implication, attacking the very nature of God Himself. If God was not able to/did not reveal His word in such a way that man could understand it, then either (a) God is deficient in power (the Bible, however, claims God is all-powerful, Exodus 15:6) or (b) God did not love man enough (in which case all would be lost since God required man to follow it, yet made it impossible for man to understand enough to do so, James 1:22; Romans 1:16).

6. The Old Testament itself claims the Bible can be understood (Deuteronomy 6:6-9). The parents were to teach God's word to their children. If children can learn the word of God, adults certainly can!

7. Deuteronomy 29:29 – There are some secret things that belong to God, but there are some things that have been given to us in principle to understand.

8. Ezra 7:10 – Ezra had set his heart on God's word to keep it and to teach it. We must purpose in our heart to seek God's word, to do it, and to teach it to others.

9. The New Testament itself claims the Bible can be understood (2 Corinthians 1:13; Ephesians 3:3,4; 5:17; 1 Timothy 2:4; John 7:17; 1 John 5:13).

Serious Results From Biblical Ignorance

1. There are serious results that come from biblical ignorance.

2. A study conducted by Barna research group reveals, “Bible reading has become the religious equivalent of soundbite journalism. When people read from the Bible they typically open it, read a brief passage without much regard for the context, and consider the primary thought or feeling that the passage provided. If they are comfortable with it, they accept it; otherwise, they deem it interesting but irrelevant to their life and move on. There is shockingly little growth evident in people’s understanding of the fundamental themes of the scriptures and amazingly little interest in deepening their knowledge and application of biblical principles.” (December 18, 2009 barna.org).

3. Application Question: How many of you surf the internet, click on something, and read it for 5 seconds, and then get off to something else? Do we treat God's word this way?

4. A report by the American Bible Society reveals, “If they do read it [the Bible], the majority (57 percent) only read their Bibles four times a year or less. Only 26 percent of Americans said they read their Bible on a regular basis (four or more times a week).” (April 4, 2013, huffingtonpost.com).

5. Research conducted by Lifeway reveals, “While the majority of churchgoers desire to honor Christ with their lives and even profess to think on biblical truths, a recent study found few actually engage in personal reading and study of the Scriptures…When asked how often they personally (not as part of a church worship service) read the Bible, a similar number respond "Every Day" (19 percent) as respond "Rarely/Never" (18 percent). A quarter indicates they read the Bible a few times a week. Fourteen percent say they read the Bible "Once a Week" and another 22 percent say "Once a Month" or "A Few Times a Month.” (September 6, 2012, www.lifeway.com).

6. Application Question: Does this describe me as a person?

7. If a person's knowledge of the Bible is erroneous, then it follows that his/her doctrine will be also (cf. 2 John 1:9-11).

8. Ignorance of the Bible can result in division (Romans 16:17,18; Amos 3:3).

9. Ignorance of the Bible can put a person's soul at risk (2 Peter 3:16,17; Hosea 4:6).

Why Do We Not Study The Bible?

19. Application Question: Why do we not study the Bible as we should?

20. (1) Too busy to read or lack of priorities (Matthew 13:20)

21. (2) Too distracted to read well (particularly with use of electronic media, Matthew 13:19]

22. (3) Too confused to read with understanding (A lack of knowledge, Matthew 13:19)

23. (4) You think you know enough or know it all.

24. (5) Intimidation.

25. (6) Not entertaining.

Application: Think and meditate upon how the Parable of the Sower applies to a lack of Bible study (Matthew 13:1-9).

Why Is It Important To Study The Bible?

26. The Bible is primarily how we come to know who God is - through Jesus Christ (John 20:30,31; 2 Timothy 3:15). We can know God through natural revelation (Psalm 19:1,2); but it is more important that we have a revealed knowledge of Jesus Christ (John 20:30,31).

27. It is how we come to know what it means to be Christ-like (Romans 15:1-7). The Jews and Gentiles were to be unified in the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:1-6). They were to get along. There were those who were weak and others were strong. The strong were to be like Christ because He did not please Himself. Paul is quoting from Psalm 69, a Messianic Psalm. Some of the Gentile and Jewish Christians (who were stronger in knowing the distinctions) were to manifest the attitude of Christ. That is why the Old Testament was written for our learning (Romans 15:4).

28. It is how we learn the apostolic instructions (1 Corinthians 14:27; 2 Peter 3:1; 1 John 2:1). These men were guided directly by the Holy Spirit. 

29. It is how we grasp the big picture of the plan of God (Ephesians 3:1-6). Sometimes we can get so bogged down in the details (which are important) that we miss the big picture. As the old saying goes: “We miss the forest for the trees.” Sometimes people lose interest because they don't see all the pieces fitting together. The revealed mystery in Ephesians 3 is that the Jews would be fellow-heirs with the Gentiles in Christ.

30. It is how we protect ourselves against false teaching (Galatians 1:6-9). The world is filled with many “spiders” of false philosophies ready to entangle us in its web of lies and deceit (Colossians 2:8). We must not relive “Josiah moments” in each generation that comes along (2 Kings 22,23; Judges 2). Josiah was a young king who was given a lost Bible. He opened it up and read the Scriptures. He realized that they had not been practicing the law of God. There are many congregations of the Lord's church (who are now divisions – Romans 16:17,18) because they no longer practice what the Bible teaches.

31. It is how we learn what God desires in marriages and raising children (1 Peter 3:1-7). Have you ever noticed that those who need marital counseling are the same persons who never come to Bible study, rarely come to worship, etc.? If we will apply the Scriptures in our marriages and family, we will have better families who are dedicated to giving God the glory.

32. It is how we grow into maturity and ultimately cultivate teachers, elders, deacons, and preachers (Hebrews 5:11-14). It takes a lot of time and effort to help train young men to preach the gospel. They have to study God's word. If we do not study God's word, then we become spiritually malnourished and will fail to raise godly leaders in the home and the church (as is increasingly becoming the case now).

Questions

1. What does “hermeneutics” mean?

2. Is interpreting the Bible a difficult task?

3. Does God expect man to learn and know the truth?

4. What are the implications if one says that one cannot learn the truth?

5. List some Old Testament passages which teach that one can know what God's word means.

6. List some New Testament passages which teach that one can know what God's word means.

7. How can division occur as a result of Bible ignorance?

8. By failing to learn God's word, how will this put one’s souls in jeopardy?

9. What are some reasons we do not study the Bible as we should?

10. Give some reasons why it is important to study the Bible.

[Credit is given to some brethren for some of the material presented in this lesson as well as some of the upcoming lessons in this series.]

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TGOC Bible Class Curricula - How To Study The Bible (1st Quarter) - Lesson # 2 - Things That Help In Studying The Bible

1. This lesson is designed to provide things which will help the sincere seeker of God’s will to gain a greater knowledge of God's word.

Common Sense

1. Before one can understand anything, he must use what is often referred to as “common sense.”

2. There is the law of logic known as the law of rationality which says, “we ought to justify our conclusions by adequate evidence” (Lionel Ruby, Logic, An Introduction, p. 131).

3. This simply means that we must have sufficient evidence before we draw a conclusion.

4. Many have realized they have held to false doctrine when they were challenged to provide evidence for their belief of which there was none.

5. 1 Thessalonians 5:21

6. 1 Peter 3:15

7. God has not left man with a blind faith which proceeds on sheer wishful thinking, but rather God has left man enough evidence to draw the right conclusion that there is a God who exists and that Jesus is His Son (cf. Romans 1:18-21; Acts 14:17; John 20:30,31).

8. Besides the law of rationality, there is also what is known as the three laws of thought: the law of identity, the law of excluded middle, and the law of non-contradiction.

9. The law of identity is “A = A.” A thing is what it is. A car is a car. A bus is a bus. When it comes to propositions, then “if a proposition is true, then it is true” (Thomas B. Warren, Logic and the Bible, p. 43).

10. Men violate this law when they say that a certain teaching is true for one man and false for another. When the Bible teaches a given doctrine that is true, mandatory and permanent, then it is true for all men everywhere at all times.

11. The law of excluded middle is the law of logic that states that a proposition is either true or false. It cannot be both. “Every precisely stated proposition is either true or false.” (Thomas Warren, Logic and the Bible, p. 44).

12. An example of this law being violated is when Rubel Shelly spoke on the subject of the unity of the believers and labored strenuously to create three classes of actions: essentials, non-essentials, and a class of in-betweens.” (Rubel Shelly, Restoration of Liberty of Opinion, Lipscomb Lectures, June 16, 1981). It is impossible for there to be an action which is neither essential or non-essential.

13. The law of non-contradiction states: “No proposition can be both true and false, in the same respects.” (Thomas B. Warren, Logic and the Bible, p. 48).

14. There are those who have argued that faith alone will save a soul, yet when asked if it is necessary to repent (Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30), a person who holds that false doctrine will concede that repentance is also necessary. This repudiates the “faith alone” doctrine.

A Sincere Desire To Know The Truth

1. If one has the “want to”, he can do many things. The question is how strong is that desire.

2. Example: How determined is someone if they want to make a journey to a city that is some distance away?

3. The same desire lies true with studying the word of God.

4. On certain occasions, some biblical truths are easily grasped, and on other occasions they are more difficult to ascertain, requiring a stronger desire on the part of the student.

5. 2 Timothy 2:15 - “Give diligence”.

6. John 7:17

7. Man must have the desire before he will do anything; it is no different when it comes to the word of God. The good student of the Bible will be one with a true hungering and thirsting for righteousness (Matthew 5:6).

A Clear And Open Mind

1. So often man approaches God's word with his mind already made up about what he thinks the Bible says about a subject.

2. There are two terms used in hermeneutics called exegesis and eisegesis.

3. Exegesis means reading “out of” a passage what is contained in that passage (nothing more or less).

4. Eisegesis means reading “into” a passage one’s own preconceived ideas. 

5. An example of eisegesis: Some Latter-Day Saint missionaries asked me the question: “Did you know that the Bible predicts the Book of Mormon?” They proceeded by turning to Ezekiel 37:1-23 and stating that one of the sticks in the passaged represented the Bible while the other stick represented the Book of Mormon. They were reading into the text what was not there. I used exegesis and showed them that the two sticks of which Ezekiel was speaking were two kingdoms: the northern kingdom of Israel (the Jews) represented by Ephraim and the southern kingdom of Israel represented by Judah. The kingdoms have been divided for a long time after the death of Solomon and God wanted to reunite the kingdoms into one kingdom that would be ruled by David (which cannot be referring to the David of 1 and 2 Samuel because he was already dead). It, therefore, must be referring to the Messiah, the son of David, in His rule over the spiritual nation of Israel – the church.

6. Acts 17:10-12 – We must manifest the attitude of the noble Bereans.

7. Let us look closely at their dedication. Acts 17:11 states that the Bereans were “with all readiness.” The word “with” (meta) means “in the midst of”. The word “all” (pas) means “every kind of something mentioned.” The word “readiness” (prothumia) means “to breathe hard toward” (to show eagerness and fervor). The Bereans received the gospel message in the midst of every kind of eagerness and fervor you can imagine. They were seeking it and digesting it (1 Peter 2:2). 

8. They also “searched the Scriptures daily”. The word “searched” (anakrino) means “to sift up”. There is also in the original language the word kata, which means “down”. One commentator states that this word is “often used in a forensic sense with regard to the preliminary questioning and examination of a prisoner.” They searched up and down the Scriptures – the written word of God (2 Timothy 3:16,17). They did so on a day by day basis.

9. Studying the Bible requires a readiness (Acts 17:10-12), a routine, and a reason (Acts 20:32).

10. Do you really love studying the Bible as the Bereans did? Does it truly exemplify itself in your life?

11. There are many barriers that keep us from having the heart of a noble Berean – (1) prejudice, (2) preference, (3) pride, (4) preoccupation, and (5) protest.

12. In regards to prejudice, people have already made up their minds in regards to subjects such as marriage, divorce, and remarriage, denominationalism, immoral activities, and will-worship.

13. In regards to preference, what we want the truth to be often keeps us from opening our minds to learn it. If I have strong feelings and a personal preference for a particular conclusion, it will require discipline for me to receive the word openly. Naaman preferred the rivers of Syria over the Jordan river in Palestine (2 Kings 5:9-12).

14. In regards to pride, it hinders a ready mind. If we must admit that we are wrong, pride may keep us from a serious study. Pride keeps us from humbling ourselves (Proverbs 8:13; 11:2) before the statements of the One whose ways and thoughts are higher than our ways and thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). Pride initially kept Naaman from doing what was necessary (2 Kings 5:13-15).

15. In regards to preoccupation, the truth often takes considerable effort to learn. As there are many views competing for our attention, we may find ourselves unwilling to spend the time and effort required to search for God's will.

16. In regards to protest, people often say because there is so much disagreement among brethren on a certain issue, then it is impossible to be certain of God's will. What did Jesus say in John 8:31,32? Did Jesus lie?

17. 2 Thessalonians 3:1 – We are to let the word of God run free course in our lives.

18. If one wants to know exactly what God means in His word, he will have to read what is there and nothing more.

Questions

1. Should one approach the Bible in much the same way that he would approach other literature?

2. What is the law of rationality? Can you provide an example?

3. What is the law of identity? Can you provide an example?

4. What is the law of excluded middle? Can you provide an example?

5. What is the law of non-contradiction? Can you provide an example?

6. What part does your desire play in understanding the Bible accurately?

7. What is exegesis? Can you provide an example?

8. What is eisegesis? Can you provide an example?

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Women Working Outside the Home

This subject has been a heated one in some circles among God's people. It seems many go to one of two extremes on this issue (as humans often do). One end of the spectrum states mothers should work outside the home to be an experienced, complete woman, while the other end claims women should not work outside the home because a woman can not keep her house/children in order and have a secular career. Both of these thoughts are unbalanced and are not founded upon Scripture. The purpose of this article is to examine what our Lord desires for women (particularly mothers) with reference to the home.

There are two passages in the New Testament that directly speak of women working at home. First, Titus 2:3-5 states, "the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things—that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed." Secondly, in reference to younger widows, the inspired writer, Paul in 1 Timothy 5:14 states, "I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully." These instructions are to prevent women from being idle gossips (1 Timothy 5:9-15). The word, "homemaker" means "devoted to home duties" ("oi˙kourgo/ß," A Concise Greek-English Dictionary of the New Testament, n.p.), and the Greek word for "manage the house" is defined as, "run the household" ("oikodespotew," A Concise Greek-English Dictionary of the New Testament, n.p.). Certainly, being a homemaker involves the physical aspects of the house (cleaning, cooking, etc.), but would also include other aspects (submission to husband, love husband and children, etc.). God's woman is to exhibit "good works" with "discretion" and "chastity" inside the privacy of her home and in public (1 Peter 3:1-6; Titus 2:1-5; 1 Timothy 2:9-10).

The Bible is not devoid of examples of godly women. One can look at the book of Acts alone to see the good influence that early Christian women set forth. One such example is Lydia (Acts 16:13-15). She is first described as "a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira." Clearly, Lydia worked at something in addition to managing her house. This woman (along with her household, which may or may not have included a husband, children, slaves, servants, etc.) obeyed the truth and invited Paul and his companions to her house, which is further evidence of her talents and hospitality. Another example that comes to mind is the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31:10-31. If there is a detailed list of what God expects of women this is it. Notice the works that this woman performs on a daily basis, in particularly Proverbs 31:16: "She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard." Furthermore, "she makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies sashes for the merchants" (Proverbs 31:24). In describing this virtuous woman, God's Word states that she works outside the home and "watches over the ways of her household" (Proverbs 31:27).

Can a mother work outside the home and fulfill the commandments God has set forth? It would be going beyond God's Word to answer "no". Similarly, it can be said that men are both commanded to "rule their house well" including being the spiritual teacher and supporting their family by working (1 Timothy 3:12, 5:8; 2 Thessalonians 3:10). Can a man lead his family and teach his children although his work keeps him from being at home most of the time? The answer to that is "yes"; godly men will do their best to fulfill God's commandments (consider men like Peter who spent months away from his family as he followed Jesus as well as military men, Matthew 8:14; 19:27; 1 Peter 5:1). Can the same be said about godly women in their roles seeking to do God's will? Yes indeed.

Whether or not a mother works outside the home is a matter of judgment. Our Creator has given us common sense guided by biblical principles in order to make decisions in matters of expediency. No one situation for a family is the same, and it is not the purpose of this writing to exhaust a list of "case studies", but rather to show what God's Word says about the responsibilities of wives and mothers. In light of God's message a woman must examine her heart and honestly determine if she can hold-down that job and care for/manage her home as a faithful woman. If the answer is "yes" then "give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates" (Proverbs 31:31), and if the answer is "no" then may she have the courage and the wisdom to "not pull down but build her house" (Proverbs 14:1).

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The Role of Women

The role of women in the Lord's church is a topic that seems to be resurfacing more and more in our society that pushes for equality on all fronts. For many years women have fought for equal rights in voting, the work place, and the community as a whole. Overall, these aspects are not wrong in and of themselves. It is a problem when we as the Lord's body allow our culture to influence the way we view God's Word and the application thereof. Some think men suppress or trample the talents of women when they are not allowed to preach in the assembly. This mindset is appealing to equality among the sexes and forgets what God has revealed in His Word. Is this subject an equality issue? The Word of God is clear that all humans are equal in God's sight (Genesis 1:26-28). Those who obey God are one in Christ no matter their background, their skin color, or their gender (Galatians 3:28). However, being equal before God as His created beings does not mean that men and women have the same function in His body. All Christians have a role in the kingdom. These functional roles are different and one is not more important than another. The roles of men, women, and children are all important and necessary for edifying and building up the church. All of us have the responsibility to work in our designated niche, if you will, and to make sure we are following God's will therein. For the purpose of this writing, we will study what God's Word says about a woman's role in His kingdom.

One area to study in connection with this issue is our Lord Himself. Christ, who came in human flesh, is our example in all things. The Scriptures teach Jesus is equal with God (John 1:1, 14; John 5:18), but He, coming in human form, humbled Himself before the Father (Philippians 2:5-11). Truly, the life of our Savior shows us His constant submission and desire to do the Father's will. Do we see Jesus complaining that God suppresses him, or He feels of lesser importance because He must submit to the Father? Certainly not! Christ knew He had a role to fulfill and it is not any less important than the Father's or the Holy Spirit's role. How thankful we should be for His role! Let us, as women, look at our Savior's example. Furthermore, Christ reached out to women during a time when they were considered by most as second-class citizens. He spoke to women during His ministry while His apostles wondered why, and many women were counted among the disciples (Luke 7:36-50; Luke 8:3; John 4:5-42; Matthew 27:55; Acts 1:13, 14). Indeed, it was women who first saw the risen Savior and told the apostles (Matthew 28:1-10; Luke 24:1-12). Anyone who claims that Christianity teaches women are of lesser importance than men have not looked at the life of Christ. By our Lord's example we see that Christianity liberated women to their true state in His kingdom. This is a particular point that Islam and other religions cannot claim.

Secondly, let us examine some New Testament scriptures concerning worship since we are under that the New Law (the first having been fulfilled by Christ at His death – Matthew 5:17, 18; Colossians 2:14). God did not fail to give instructions about how He desires His people to worship Him. If you are familiar with the Bible at all, you know God has provided commandments and examples for us to come together on the first day of the week to partake of the Lord's Supper (Acts 20:7), sing praises to Him (Ephesians 5:19), pray to the Father (Ephesians 6:18), give cheerfully as we have been blessed (1 Corinthians 16:1, 2), and teach/study the Word (2 Timothy 4:2). Not only this, He has stated who He desires to lead during these avenues. In 1 Timothy 2:8 the Holy Spirit through Paul writes, "I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere…" and then goes on to give women instructions, including, "Let a woman learn in silence with all submission" (1 Timothy 2:11, 12). A Greek word meaning, "teach" is used in verse twelve alongside the commandment, not "to have authority over a man" ("didaskw," A Concise Greek-English Dictionary of the New Testament, n.p.). Paul clearly states that men (Greek word "aner" meaning "male") are to pray everywhere (in assemblies and out) and that a woman is not to authoritatively teach a man. This is in direct harmony with 1 Corinthians 14:26-37 where Paul's main point is for the assembly to be a place of edification and not confusion (1 Corinthians 14:26, 33). In that context, he says to, "let your women keep silent in the churches for they are not permitted to speak" (1 Corinthians 14:34). The English rendering of this has lead some to the opposite extreme of believing that women cannot say anything in worship or Bible class. This is not the case; otherwise, women could not participate in the singing during worship! (Ephesians 5:19) A look at the Greek word translated "speak" in 1 Corinthians 14:34 shows us that it can mean, "speak, talk, say; preach, proclaim; tell; be able to speak; address, converse" ("lalew," A Concise Greek-English Dictionary of the New Testament, n.p.). Paul, in writing the "commandments of the Lord" (1 Corinthians 14:37), states that women are not to be the speaker or address the assembly. In mixed assemblies (as most are around the world), women are not to lead the assembly. Clearly, from just these two passages, we can conclude that God desires men to be the teachers, to address the assembly, in essence, to lead the assembly of women and men.

Before studying in detail the passages some cite to promote the false practice of women leaders in mixed assemblies (such as Luke 2:36-38; Romans 16:1; 1 Corinthians 11:5), we should first ask some questions:

1. Do the passages imply that a woman is in a mixed assembly?
2. Have I studied the meaning of the words in question (such as "prophetess", "deacon")?
3. Am I reading the text with 1st century Jewish culture "glasses"?

When we study the scriptures with these in mind we will not come to any conclusion that God did not intend.

What can women do in the church? If we were to answer this in full, this article would be too long to read in one comfortable sitting. Let us look at the answer in in reference to speaking in the church. In Titus 2:3, Paul admonishes the older women to be "teachers of good things". Using common sense, we can conclude that a woman may teach children or women during Bible classes and in everyday personal situations. A woman may address a group of women in ladies' days or other study settings in which only women are present. A woman may accompany her husband in teaching others outside the assembly as Priscilla did in Acts 18:26. Consider Acts 8:3-4, men and women were being persecuted and "went everywhere preaching the word". Indeed, there is a great need in the Lord's church for women to teach and exhort the younger women to remain faithful (Titus 2:1-6). This can occur in ladies' Bible classes and outside the assembly. May we have more women willing and able to teach God's Word!

In conclusion, we have learned that God's Word instructs the men to lead the assembly. The reason for this goes all the way back to the beginning, and male leadership has been expected by God since He created the first man (1 Timothy 2:13, 14; 1 Corinthians 11:8-10). When a woman (or man) tries to overstep the boundaries outlined in God's Word she will be judged for her actions as the angels (who are greater) certainly were for their rebellion (2 Peter 2:4-11; Jude 1:6). All Christians are commanded to be diligent workers in the kingdom (Titus 3:1, 8). Our different functions should work together to edify the church and bring more souls into the kingdom, not cause confusion and disorder. May we each use our God-given talents in our God-given roles to bring glory and honor to His Name!

Study Questions:

1. Has God always given His people different roles or responsibilities? What are some examples?
2. Study Luke 2:36-38 and 1 Corinthians 11:5. What does prophesying mean in the New Testament?
3. Was it possible that women in the 1st century had miraculous ability to prophesy? If so, does this ability mean she had authority over men or was she only prophesying to other women?
4. Anna is described as one "who did not depart from the temple" speaking of Him "to all those who looked for redemption" (Luke 2:37, 38). How was the temple complex arranged? Were men and women worshipping in the same area or did they have separate compartments? To whom was Anna prophesying?
5. Does Paul say women are praying and prophesying in a mixed assembly? Look closely at 1 Corinthians 11. In the text, does Paul indicate a mixed assembly (compare 1 Corinthians 11:17, 18)? If Paul is saying women can pray and prophesy in a mixed worship assembly, then how do we harmonize that with what he says in 1 Corinthians 14:33-35?
6. Why is it the case that God commands women to be in submission to men? Read 1 Timothy 2:13, 14.

The Gospel of Christ

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What Does Submission Mean?

Many individuals in our culture today have negative connotations about the word “submit”. Images are conjured up in the mind of a tyrant standing over his or her subjects beating them into submission or a doormat-type person that does whatever others want them to do. Webster defines the word as “to yield oneself to the authority or will of another”; “to permit oneself to be subjected to something” or “to defer to or consent to abide by the opinion or authority of another”. These definitions may still convey unfavorable thoughts of some kind since no one likes to become someone else’s subject or never get their own way. In the fallen world in which we live, humans have rejected various authorities over the centuries, especially God’s authority. Although the world and culture play a large part of our understanding of certain concepts, it is the Christian’s responsibility to understand God’s meaning behind a word or phrase found in His Word. What does it mean to submit according to the Bible? Are there commandments in the Bible for certain individuals to submit to others? Is submission really such a negative term? Let’s explore these questions by looking at the one source that contains words of life – the Word of God (John 6:68, Luke 4:4, 2 Timothy 3:16-17).

The English term, submit, is translated from the Greek word, hupotasso, meaning, “to order under”. A Greek lexicon defines it as, “to cause to be in a submissive relationship, to subject, to subordinate” (BDAG, 1042.). The first important Scripture to examine in regards to submission is James 4:7. Not many argue about the meaning of “submit” in this passage. We are to submit, obey, or humble ourselves before God (1 Peter 5:6-8). This is understandable since He is our Creator, our Lawgiver, our Redeemer and our Judge. Those who do not submit to God (unbelievers) will receive their just punishment (Romans 10:3). Love for God demands action - we must keep His commandments (John 14:15; 1 John 5:2-3). Thus, we submit our will (what we want to do) to His Will (what He wants us to do) – (1 Corinthians 16:16). Now, a logical conclusion to draw from this truth is that if we are submitting ourselves to God, we are obeying His commandments, including the commandments for us to submit to others.

Who is commanded to submit to someone else in the Bible? The quick answer is everyone! The inspired writers of the New Testament epistles mention this subject in most of their letters. Paul writes for all to submit to governing authorities (Romans 13:1; Titus 3:1). Peter also states that we are to submit to the laws of the land in which we live because these laws are for the punishment of evildoers (1 Peter 2:13-14). As Christians, we should be striving to obey the laws our government has issued – unless, of course, those laws are contrary to God’s Law (Acts 5:29). We cannot be good influences on others when they see us disobeying laws, such as breaking traffic laws, tax evasion, or unauthorized downloading of music or movies for free off the Internet. We bring glory to God – we are submitting to Him – when we obey the authorities that govern us.

Secondly, servants are commanded to submit to their masters (Ephesians 6:5; 1 Peter 2:18; Colossians 3:22). This is not an endorsement for slavery as skeptics want to propose, but rather stating that if we find ourselves in some form of service, we should do our work to the best of our ability as we are working for the Lord. Certainly, we who hold secular jobs can apply this to our relationship with our bosses, companies, or any workplace. If we rebel against our bosses’ authority, we are not fearing God, the Master of us all (Colossians 3:22).

Other commandments dealing with submission are concerned more specifically with the relationship between Christians or home-life. Hebrews 13:17admonishes the Christians to “obey those who rule over” them “being submissive”. We can conclude that “those who rule over” them are the elders of the local congregations because they “watch out for their souls, who must give account”. When the elders of the congregation make decisions in matters of opinion concerning worship and activities of the church, we should want to follow their lead trusting they are doing what is best for the Lord’s church. Peter gives a similar commandment in 1 Peter 5:5. He instructs the elders (those who have the responsibility of shepherding the flock – also described as bishops, presbyters, shepherds) in the first four verses (1 Peter 5:1-4) and then tells the younger ones to submit to elders (most likely older people in general). Other passages instruct the younger to submit to the older, such as children obeying their parents in Colossians 3:20, Ephesians 6:1, and 1 Timothy 3:4. God is pleased when the younger generations honor and respect the older generations and when His flock submits to their shepherds as they serve the Head Shepherd.

Both Paul and Peter in their writings command the wife to submit to her husband (1 Peter 3:1-5; Ephesians 5:22; Colossians 3:18). Also, women are commanded to submit to men in the assembly – that is, not to be the speaker over men in mixed assemblies (1 Timothy 2:11; 1 Corinthians 14:34). God, the Creator, has given each of us responsibilities and certain roles in which to function. He gave the serious responsibility of spiritual leadership to the man (1 Timothy 2:8; Ephesians 5:23-25). When we obey God by submitting to our husband’s leadership in the home and the men’s in the assembly, we are following God’s design. Again, we are submitting to Him when we obey His commandments concerning our duty to submit to others.  

The New Testament uses hupotasso two other times. Christians are commanded to submit to one another in humility and in the fear of God (Ephesians 5:21; 1 Peter 5:5). This “submit to one another” has lead many to some wrong conclusions. Firstly, it has been proposed by some that Christians are submitting to each other when true love is displayed among His people. Certainly, love is the distinguishing characteristic of God’s people (John 13:35, 15:17; Romans 12:10; 1 John 4:7). We should serve others selflessly. This is not submission, however. Parents love their children, making sacrifices for them, but they do not submit to the children. Likewise, elders are to lovingly serve the congregation they shepherd - but the elders do not submit to the members.

Secondly, many have wrongly assumed that since all Christians are to be submissive to one another only in the sense of loving one another, then that somehow cancels out the passages that command women (or wives) to be in submission to men (or husbands). Let’s remember that the Scriptures are all-inspired by God and do not contradict – they complement. If it is the case that “submit to one another” negates the command for the wife to submit to her husband or the women in the corporate assembly to submit to the men, then it would follow that all other commandments involving submission would be made null and void as well. Children would not be required to submit to parents or any adult, members would not need to submit to their elders, and citizens would not have to submit to their governing authorities!

So, what does the Holy Spirit mean by “submit to one another”? Let’s notice the context around these two verses (Ephesians 5:17-22; 1 Peter 5:1-5). Paul and Peter are admonishing Christians to adhere to certain Christ-like characteristics. In the Ephesians passage, Paul points out ways in which we practice being filled with the Spirit (namely, speaking to one another, singing, giving thanks, and submitting). This is followed by verse 22: “wives submit to your own husbands” and chapter 6: “children obey your parents” and “servants be obedient to your masters”. Clearly, He is giving more specific instructions in the area of submission. Similarly, in the 1 Peter passage, Peter first covers the role of elders leading the flock and the younger people submitting to the elders before making the more general statement, “be submissive to one another”. Notice also, Peter already stated that Christians are to submit to “every ordinance of man”, for servants to be submissive, and the wife to submit to her husband (1 Peter 2:13,18, 3:1). Thus, the context of both passages must be considered and studied to see the “big picture”.     

In conclusion, it is evident that submission is important in every Christian’s life. Christians must strive daily to submit to God and keep His commandments. It is a necessary trait in our lives as women who are members of His body. It is commanded in our everyday lives as citizens of a particular nation. It is required in our relationship with our husband. It is commanded in our worship to God as the men lead in the mixed assembly. This is how we submit to one another. Submission may still be a negative term to some, but the Scriptures tell us that our Savior, Jesus Christ submitted to the Father as “He humbled Himself and became obedient to death” (Philippians 2:5-8, Hebrews 5:8). Does His submission make Him unequal with God somehow less important? Certainly not! Our Savior came to do the will of the Father and He is our example. His life exemplifies the most beautiful life. Submission, God’s way, is beautiful! May we all submit to God’s inspired Word and fulfill His commandments in order to bring glory to His holy name.

The Gospel of Christ

This material is copyrighted by The Gospel of Christ and its authors.  This information is free to use in its entirety without further consent, however, modifications should not be made without contacting mail@thegospelofchrist.com for permission.  Any and all images contained herein are believed to be free for all distribution and content.