Women in Ministry 8: Does the Apostle Paul Really Want Women Leaders and Spiritually Gifted Women on the Bench Sidelined?

The Bible Mind Podcast: Experiencing our Life and Times from a Christian Perspective

In today's podcast, we'll look more closely at the passages regarding the leadership gifts and the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Do these passages make a distinction between men and women? Do they restrict women? It's important for us to search out these scriptures for ourselves, because we need to know what God is really saying about women in ministry.
The Apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, wrote prescriptive passages for all believers for all time and in all places. These passages, therefore, take precedence over what most people would call the "problem passages" restricting women operating in ministry, since evidence suggests that these passages address specific people in a specific church at a specific time.
Listen to today's podcast to learn more!
SCRIPTURES STUDIED
Ephesians 4:11-13
1 Corinthians 12:1-31
Romans 12:3-8
BIBLE STUDY TOOLS

Blue Letter Bible App
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
1. Do you find it significant that there aren't gender distinctions in the three main passages regarding the leadership gifts and the gifts of the Holy Spirit? Why or why not? What was God trying to communicate?
2. Two of the passages we looked at made these statements of truth:
1. Each member of the Body needs to do its share to cause the growth of the Body. (Paraphrase of part of Ephesians 4:16) How has restricting women from ministry handicapped the Body and slowed down its growth?
I used the example of Pastor David Yonggi Cho from South Korea. When he released women into ministry and leadership, his church exploded and became, at the time, the largest church in the world. He's a prime example of what happens when we follow God's prescription for church growth.
2. Another passage talks about how when we operate in our gift(s), we profit the whole Body. (Paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 12:7)

How does the enemy restrict women and people in general from operating in their gifts?
Think through what arguments are being presented against women operating in certain gifts, like teaching. Others argue that supernatural gifts are no longer in operation. Are these arguments Biblical?
If someone mentioned how women could not teach or be in ministry, what would you say in response considering your own studies and after listening to this podcast?
3. Judging from these passages, how important is it for women to take their place not only in ministry, but also in leadership positions?
4. Has your thinking changed regarding women in ministry from listening to the evidence presented in this podcast? If so, how? If not, why not?
5. We need to be familiar enough with the Bible to compare scripture with scripture and receive the whole counsel of God. From today's podcast, what is the Bible saying in general about women in leadership and women operating in any and all the gifts of the Holy Spirit?

ACTION STEPS
1. Study for yourself the passages shared in this podcast episode.
2. Subscribe and share this podcast with others who may be interested.
3. Use the Blue Letter Bible App or any other Bible study tool to go into the original language of these passages and see for yourself what the Greek says.
4. If you're unfamiliar with how to look into the original languages of the Bible, take the time to study to learn how.
Feel free to write me at any time for any reason at [e-mail].