INTRODUCTION

This inductive Bible study is designed to walk you through a particular passage and help you study it thoroughly. It is divided into five parts or “steps” which will guide you from a larger, broader perspective down to a more narrow, tightened understanding of the text. This guide also contains additional components, such as Going Deeper and Further Study, to help you as you work through the text.

1. DISCOVERING THE PASSAGE
2. IDENTIFYING THE STRUCTURE
3. FOCUSING ON KEY WORDS
4. CONNECTING TO THE WHOLE
5. APPLYING THE TEXT

Beginning with the day after your growth group meets, we encourage you to get alone with God and follow the instructions provided in this guide. Each step has specific guidelines followed by questions. We trust if you faithfully use this study to meet with the LORD each day not only will your personal walk with the LORD grow deeper but your growth group experience will be enhanced as well.

The overarching concern for Paul in the entirety of chapters 11-14 is the corporate worship gathering. He addresses three main issues that were plaguing the early Corinthian church gatherings: the adornment of women (11:2-16), the behavior of the church during the partaking of the Lord’s supper (11:17-34), and the use of spiritual gifts (chs. 12-14). Paul’s focus continues to be on the unity of believers and avoiding divisions among God’s people. Specifically in our section for this week (11:2-16), verse 16 provides some crucial insight into the issues Paul was facing. Most likely, according to context, Paul is addressing the “contentious” people he mentions in verse 16. This time, however, this knowledge is manifesting itself in women who are bringing shame on their husbands and families by not covering their head. Today, obviously, a woman with an uncovered head means very little. But in the first century it sent a powerful message. Paul’s underlying concern of honoring God in the worship gathering by preserving a distinction between the sexes and showing mutual love and respect between husbands and wives, must be our main concern as well. How this theological principle plays out in a particular culture must be addressed with conviction and sensitivity.

1. DISCOVERING THE PASSAGE

Discovering the Passage seeks to get an overall idea of the meaning of the passage. Think bigpicture. Pray for God to open your eyes to the meaning of Scripture.

Read 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 slowly and thoughtfully. What is/are the primary issue(s) Paul is addressing in this passage?
How does Paul emphasize both the importance of wives honoring husbands in verse 3 and the mutual honor of men and women in verses 11-12?

2. IDENTIFYING THE STRUCTURE

Identifying the Structure seeks to gain insight into why the author wrote the way he did. Try to think like the author. Pray for God to give you insight into the writing of the Scriptures.

Questions

The ESV does NOT divide verses 2-16. Do you see any potential divisions? What is the main point/theme of the whole passage?
How has the tone of this passage changed from the previous passages?
Paul alternates between theological arguments (truths about God) and practical commands (instructions for people). In what verses are the theological arguments and in what verses are the practical commands?

Pause & Pray

Do you view God as the authority on His creation? If not, pause and ask the LORD why you struggle with the way He has created and ordered things?
Pray that you would wholly submit to God’s plan for His creation. Pray that He would open your eyes to the goodness of His ways and that your heart would rejoice in His plans and His purposes.

3. Focusing on Key Words

Focusing on Key Words seeks to identify and contemplate the use and meaning of specific words or concepts within the text. Pray for God to open your eyes to words and concepts you’ve never seen before or have overlooked.

Going Deeper: The Example of Israel

In 1 Corinthians 11:2-16, Paul uses the word “head” numerous times, moving from a figurative usage in verse 3 to a literal usage in verses 4 and following. The meaning of “head”, particularly in verse 3, has been a subject of much debate in recent years because of its implications for the roles of men and women. One side argues that men and women are created equal in both authority and roles (and thus can both serve in the pastoral office). The other side believes that men and women are created equal in terms of their essence, dignity, and personhood, but differ in terms of their authority and function in the church and in the marriage relationship. It is important to remember that Paul’s discussion in verses 2-16 has to do with proper order and submission in the church. The figurative usage of “head” in v. 3 refers to “a higher position of authority” or rank. Thus, Christ is the higher authority of man, husbands are the higher authority in relation to their wives (Eph 5:23), and God is the higher authority of Christ. The submission seen in both the Godhead and the marriage relationship is in no way demeaning or disrespectful. It is in obedience and honor to God when these roles are carried out dutifully. In the same way, God’s beautiful, complementary design of authority and submission is present in the marriage relationship (Eph 5:22-24) and in the roles of men and women in the church assembly (1 Tim 2:11-15).

Now prayerfully answer the questions below

Questions

How many times does Paul write the word “head”? In what ways (literal/metaphorical) is this word used? (See Going Deeper.)
Verses 3 and 11-12 are key theological verses in this passage. What is Paul emphasizing by pointing to the Trinity and biblical masculinity and femininity?
What does verse 5 imply about women proclaiming truth in the context of church?
Remembering that the Greco-Roman world operated under an honor-shame paradigm, read the passage again noting the honor-shame language (i.e. dishonor, disgrace, shame). How does influence your understanding of the text?

Pause & Pray

Do you desire that your life be aligned with God’s original and intentional design? Do you willingly submit to God’s authority and to the authority of those who he has placed over you?
Pray that God will place loving biblical spiritual authority in your life. Pray that he would allow your heart to recognize the good gift of spiritual authority.

4. CONNECTING TO THE WHOLE: A

Connecting to the Whole seeks to become aware of how key concepts and themes are seen elsewhere in Scripture. This is allowing Scripture to interpret Scripture. Pray for God to help you see how this passage connects to the rest of the Bible.

Introduction

This passage is difficult to understand, and there are differences of opinion on how to apply this teaching in the church today. To help us gain an understanding, we will look at this passage in four steps and then seek to apply this doctrinal teaching at Parkwood Baptist Church.

Questions

The theological perspective from the creation order
a. Reflect on Genesis 1:26-27.

b. Why was the woman created? What was her origin? What was her role in relationship to the man after the Fall? Reflect on Genesis 2:18-24; 3:16; 1 Cor. 11:12; Ephesians 5:22-25.

c. In verse 3, Scripture is clear that the husband is the head of the wife; Christ is the head of the husband; & God the Father is the head of Christ. This does not mean that Christ is not co-equal with the Father in all His divinity. Look at John 5:17-23, 36-37; 8:27-29; & 10:30 and record Christ’s understanding of His relationship with the Father.
The cultural/social perspective in an honor/shame worldview
a. Paul writing in verses 4-6 states that it is a dishonor for a man to pray with his head covered as well as it is also dishonorable for a wife/women to pray with her head uncovered. Look at Esther 6:12. What did Haman do when he was dishonored by the king?

b. Read and reflect on 1 Samuel 2:6-9. List the ways Hannah describes what the LORD does in relation to honor?

4. CONNECTING TO THE WHOLE: B

The New Testament teaching regarding the role of women in the church
a. According to other references throughout Scripture, what is expected of women in the church? Consider Matthew 28:18-20; Titus 2:3-5; 1 Peter 3:1-6, and record your observations.
The new creation understanding of the relationship between men & women
a. In verse 11, Paul explains the interdependence of men and women in the new covenant. Reflect on the following passages to gain further understanding on the role and behavior of women in the gathered church and in their relationship with their husbands: 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 5:22-24, 33.

Summary

In spite of the fact that this passage is difficult to apply and often rejected by many, there are eternal truths that we must obey as followers of Christ. Among them, God has ordained that the church should be led and pastored by men, and that there are unique, clear, and honoring roles for women in the context of the church.

Recommended Resource

Danvers Statement - [Click Here]

Pause & Pray

Husbands, are you honoring Christ and your wives by your conduct and your appearance in the church? What is the Lord saying to you in this regard?
Wives, are you honoring Christ and your husbands by the way you dress and the way you conduct yourself in the church? What is the Lord saying to you in this regard?

5. APPLYING THE TEXT

Applying the Text seeks to see people changed as the Word of God is brought to bear in the lives of individuals and communities (growth groups). Pray for God to reveal to you where you need to change and have the courage to take action.

Questions

This passage is clearly a controversial one. Ideas of male headship/leadership and female submission are widely discredited and ignored by many groups of people, including some Christians. Why is it so controversial? Should it be?
Should women wear head coverings in worship in our culture today? If not, how do we (you) apply Paul’s teaching today?
Should men or women have a particular haircut in our culture today? If not, how do we (you) apply Paul’s teaching today?
How can husbands and wives honor one another while striving to honor the Lord?
How does Christ’s act of submission to the Father make it possible for all believers to walk in a spirit of submission to the Lord and one another?

Prayer

Use the following prayer prompts to guide you in your prayers as a Growth Group:

For Your Growth Group

Lord, we pray for our Growth Group, that not only would we talk about challenging texts of Scripture, but encourage one another to faithfully obey what your Word teaches. As a result, may our Growth Group be distinct from the world.

For Parkwood

Lord, thank you for this passage that reminds us that you are the leader of both men and women. Help us as a church to respect one another, knowing that you are ultimately over us all.

For Your Neighbors

God, we acknowledge that our culture has rejected your precepts for biblical manhood and womanhood. Would you use us, our lives and our teaching, to open their eyes to your Word, that they would be saved and sanctified.

For The Nations

Each culture has its own customs and practices.
Lord, help our missionaries and us as we meet people from other nations, to be sensitive to their culture while remaining true to the scriptures and the gospel.