Life Groups // Winter 2025 // Week 7
Posted February 21, 2025 — Lincoln Berean
God’s Design for Men and Women at Church // 1 Timothy 2:8-15
Introduction
This week we’re looking at the second half of 1 Timothy chapter 2, where Paul gives instructions for men and women within the context of the church and describes how their distinct roles are vital for the flourishing of the community of believers.
We invite you to look over all the questions on the following pages and write your thoughts down before you meet with your group. Some people even use these questions to take notes during the sermon. The questions are meant to stir your thinking and prompt open discussion, and we do not expect you will cover every question each week.
Warm Up (Suggested time: 30 min)
1) What’s the most random thing that always puts a smile on your face?
2) What is your favorite part of your day-to-day routine?
Getting Started
Transition into group discussion.
1. Open group discussion with prayer. Here are a few potential prayer items:
a. For the Spirit of God to lead you in truth
b. For the fruit of the Spirit to be cultivated in your lives
c. For grace to hear and apply what the Spirit says to you
2. Choose someone to read the passage aloud for the group.
Study Questions (Suggested time: 40 min)
1) What was one thing that you found particularly surprising or unexpected in this week’s passage or Ryan’s sermon?
2) Verse 8 exhorts men to refrain from all “anger and dispute.” What effect (if any) have you seen anger and a quickness to dispute have on communities you have been a part of?
In your own words, what are the characteristics of the sort of prayer that Paul describes in verse 8?
Do you believe anger and dissension are prohibitive to a life of prayer? Why or why not?
3) Read verses 9 and 10. How does this educate us about how our outward presentation affects the order and flourishing of the church?
In your own words, what are the characteristics of a person who presents themselves in a way that contributes to the flourishing of the church?
What steps can you take in your own life to ensure that you are taking part in shaping a God-honoring environment in your community of believers?
4) In v. 11 Paul makes it clear that women are to be free to learn as disciples of Jesus. Read Luke 10:38-42. What are the marks of a disciple that stand out in Mary’s example?
We live in a world full of distraction, even seemingly good distractions. What are some ways that we as women and men could make learning from Jesus more of a priority?
5) Reflecting on the passage as a whole, aligning with God’s design as men, women, and as a church is a clear emphasis. Are there parts of your life where you wrestle with operating according to God’s design for you as a man? As a woman?
Have you ever thought about God’s design for the church? What impact has considering God’s design for the church had on you?
When reading this passage, does your heart or mind respond with any defensiveness? Explain why or why not.
6) Verses 8-15 address the distinct roles of men and women in church leadership and their contribution to a flourishing community of believers. This can be a complex and multifaceted issue, with far-reaching implications that impact the way that people view God and their place in His Kingdom. How can we be believers that lovingly uphold biblical truth, without falling into frustration or division?
Personal Spiritual Exercises
Just like physical exercises help strengthen and stretch our bodies for healthy living, these spiritual exercises are meant to move us spiritually in ways that may be new so we might experience inner growth. Since God longs for us to experience Him with our whole selves—mind, body, spirit—we invite you along each week to strengthen your souls with suggestions and prompts.
Scripture Focus: Read slowly through Proverbs 31:10-31. This passage famously describes the characteristics of women leading a wise and godly lifestyle. With each verse, consider the women in your life who embody the characteristics that it describes, and cultivate a spirit of gratitude for the presence and influence that those women have in your life and the lives of those around them.
Prayer Focus: As you engage in your daily rhythm of prayer this week, consider Paul’s call in 1 Timothy 2:8 of praying “without anger and dispute.” What are the hidden frustrations that you have trouble giving to God? Are there any relationships in your life that need mending? Are you harboring any long-standing bitterness that hinders the fruit that God wants you to bear in your life? Think about what those might be, and when you’re ready, ask God to take them from you and replace them with a desire for peace, unity, and grace toward others.
Prayer (Suggested time: 20 min)
A significant part of “coming together” is being open and honest with our lives. Sitting in a group of people for prayer may be new or it may be familiar to you. If you would rather not pray aloud when it is your turn, feel free to pray silently and then say “Amen” aloud signaling the next person in the group to pray. Whether or not you choose to verbalize your prayer, everyone is a participant in sharing this time before God together.
Take a few moments to prepare a prayer request. What did the message, working through the above questions or the discussion cause you to notice about your own relationship with Jesus? Would you be willing to share your prayer request with the group?