[:en]SCRIPTURE: 1 TIMOTHY 2
“For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men – the testimony given in its proper time” (1 Timothy 2:5-6)
“I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing” (1 Timothy 2:8)
“I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God. A woman should learn in quietness and full submission” (1 Timothy 2:9-11)
Paul emphasized that prayer is important and vital to a local church. The church prayer should include request, intercession and thanksgiving. We should pray for the leaders of the nation so that we can live a peaceful and quiet life in godliness and holiness. Prayer pleases God and glories Christ. We should pray for people to come to the knowledge of God so that they can be saved. Men are to take lead in the prayer ministry of the church without wrath but with holy hands and clean lives.
Paul gave the characteristics of an ideal Christian woman in the church:
- Modesty – Women should dress simply and appropriately
- Decency – Women should have respectable behavior
- Propriety – Women should have right conduct and good morals
- Quietness – Women should learn how to keep silent instead of gosipping or quarelling
- Good Deeds – Women should do good works and help people
- Submission – Since Adam was created first, he has precedence over Eve. And since Eve was the one who sinned first, Satan finds it easier to deceive women. So women must learn to submit.
LESSON:
We are to pray for each other and for our leaders in government so that we can live a peacefully and quietly. We should pray for those in authority around the world so that the Good News can be preached freely.
There is only one God and one mediator between God and men and that is Jesus, who sacrificed his life for us.
Men should be the leaders in family and church. They should pray and live a holy life. God designed Adam to be created first, so men have to be leaders to maintain harmony in the family and the church.
A woman’s inner beauty of gentleness and loving character is better than the outward appearance of best cosmetics and jewelries. She should be submissive with an attitude of quietness, love, and care. She should continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety (v. 15)
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