Hey guys! First off, I want to congratulate everyone on how they did at the Olathe Invitational this past weekend! There was some awesome competition, and as always, awesome sportsmanship. I'm super proud of my team and how they did at the tournament (it was all of their first times in the experienced division at this quiz)! I think we ended up in sixth-fourth place as a team, after the afternoon rounds. But anyways, congrats again to everyone! I think this season is gonna be absolutely phenomenal. One of the really cool things about quizzing that I've noticed over my five years of experience, is the ascension of the NEW BEST quizzers, after the previous ones have graduated. It's interesting to see who will step up to the plate, and take up the mantle. But you know, this wouldn't even be a thing, if quizzers before us wouldn't have taken the time to sow into us, mentor us, and be the people we look up to. In turn, it's only right that we should do the same thing to the quizzers who are coming up after us. If you're an experienced quizzer (or even semi-experienced), and you've seen the highest level of quizzing competition, then it's your responsibility to the quiz community, to be aware of the next generation. You might have a place in the top ten quizzers world-wide, but who's going to fill your spot when you graduate and are gone? Make it your priority to build up the next generation of quizzers. It not only helps them become better competitors, but it also enhances your own quizzing experience - you can take my word on that. BUT ANYWAY Enough about that, let's go ahead and get into the topic for today, which is the second part of "Understanding 1 & 2 Corinthians! In this part of the series, I'm going to be hitting on one of the most important things we can do, to really go about understanding one of the most controversial things in the Word of God - Paul and women in the church. Let's do it! (Oh and after this, I'm going to have a quick list - cheatsheet, if you like - of practical ways that you can go about understanding any passage you're confused about).
A lot of what Paul said is kind of confusing, right? Because of that, it is very important to remember the context in which he wrote it - the context in which God spoke these things through Paul. It is so important I think, especially for my ladies here, because if we take some verses in the Bible just at face value, it can really do some deep damage to how we see ourselves, and what we think we're worth to God. It can cause a LOT of hurt and heartache. But we have to remember who we know our God is. So keep reading - I promise you there is a perfectly good, fair, explanation. As an example, 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 says (in the NIV, 2011)... "Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church." Like, what in the world is this? I'm sure you're probably asking the same question. How can this be the will of a good, loving Father, who is no respecter of persons (Romans 2:11)? Being "no respecter of persons" means that He shows no difference of will, character, love, kindness, or favoritism to either gender - women or men. It's the Word of God, so there has to be a way to reconcile it with who I know my God to be. Throughout this whole chapter (and book, really) Paul is trying to bring some order into the Corinthian Church. Like it says in 1 Corinthians 11:17, their meetings were doing "more harm than good". And in chapter 14, Paul is really hitting on that the gathering of the Lord's people must be done in a way that is actually beneficial. That includes stuff like...
You have to realize that their meetings (just by reading this passage) were totally out of control, and no one was learning anything about God, or about how we should live. There were all kinds of people trying to yell over each other what they thought were words from God - and a lot of them probably were words from God, but they had to be given in an orderly manner. These verses aren't saying that women can't say anything in church. Why? Because women hear from God, and are very strong in the faith and in relationship with God, just like men. But rather, (if you seek it out all the way, you'll find that...) what Paul is addressing is a problem that originated from men and women sitting on opposite sides of the church. Women were yelling things over to the other side (their husbands, most likely), and no one was able to focus on anything being said. By laying a rule in place that takes out this variable, I'm sure the Corinthians were able to instantly see improvement in the orderliness their meetings. So all Paul was saying, was that women shouldn't disrupt the sermons that were being given, by talking to their husbands about something that was being said, so that they both could actually learn. ALSO, as we see a few chapters earlier in 1 Corinthians 11:5, and in several other places, God is not at all against women prophesying or otherwise speaking in church - or even teaching or pastoring. I know, crazy right? (I'M JOKING. Seriously, I fully believe that women have this right, and anointing to teach and pastor). Instead, Jesus always interacted with women in a very respectful, loving, kind way. He did not say that they couldn't follow Him, or talk to him, or learn directly from Him. He recognized their giftings, their potential, their worth and value, and the extreme oppression that they had to live with - and He showed grace and respect towards them. Women have a very special place in God's heart, and a very important place in the ministry and in the church. Jesus raised the value of women substantially from what it was prior to His ministry, and He has only continued to do so. So real quick, here are some things that you can do to better understand any confusing passage that you come across:
And of course, don't ever just skip over a section you don't get, just because you don't immediately understand it. Take the time to seek it out a little; "seek and you will find"! Don't ever forget that. That's all I have for you guys today - I hope that you all had an awesome time at the tournament on Saturday, and I'm looking forward to (maybe) seeing everyone again at the Top Ten tournament in St. Louis next month!
Keep quizzing and living victoriously, holy, sacred, and favored children of God! I love you guys so much, and I'll see you later, fam! Keep calm and quiz on (and out)! Your fellow quizzer, Mallory
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Trending Posts:Author:Mallory is a graduated Teen Bible Quizzer originally from the Southern region, moved to the Northwest, coaching quizzing over the book of Matthew. Check out our
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