Jan
26
2011
A Workshop on Bible Exposition for Women
Just this morning, I opened an envelope from the Simeon Trust. Inside I found an announcement for what looks to be an excellent opportunity for women. It’s called “Women of the Word: A Workshop for Women in Ministry.”
The workshop is scheduled for Thursday, March 3 through Saturday, March 5, 2011 at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Chicago, IL. Speakers include Kathleen Nielson, David Helm, Bronwyn Short, Lisa Helm, Deborah Lorentsen, and Colleen Gallagher. It promises to be a very effective time of equipping women to teach other women in various settings. If you register before February 10th, teh cost is $124. After Feb. 10th the cost is $149.
From the letter I received:
Over the last few years, the Charles Simeon Trust has been challenged to consider training women to teach the Bible to other women. We have asked ourselves several questions: Is this a good idea? Does the Bible commend it? What would it look like? How would it best be accomplished, especially given our complementarian theological convictions? In answering these questions, we are convinced that God would have us play a part in this aspect of pastoral ministry.
In Titus 2, Paul makes the case: women teaching the Bible to women is necessary, healthy, and supplementary part of ministry in the church. The pattern is clear. For Paul, his command to Titus to speak what accords with sound teaching (v. 1, 7) is also carried on by men whose faith must also be sound (v. 2) and the older women teaching younger women that which is good (v. 3) the goal of which is godliness (v. 3-5) and the result of which is that God’s word is not reviled (v. 5). Elsewhere, Paul uses this same word–teaching–to state clearly that it is the Scriptures that are to be taught (2 Tim. 3:16 and Romans 15:4). The implication, then, i s unmistakable: all of this work of teaching includes women teaching the Bible to the other women, the means by which the Word of God is upheld in holy living.
I plan on making this known to a number of ladies here at FBC. The Simeon Trust’s work on Bible exposition provides excellent resources and equipping to pastors who teach the word. I can only imagine how much of an encouragement this will be to women who want to handle the scriptures more effectively in various settings with other women.