W.I.S.E. Bible Study

  “A woman must receive instruction silently and under complete control.    I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man. She must be quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. Further, Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and transgressed. But she will be saved through motherhood, provided women persevere in faith and love and holiness, with self-control. 1Timothy 2:11-15 Ok, apparently, Paul was not married! The culture of the time did try to suppress women; I’m not going to deny it. Perhaps suppress isn’t the right word, but women were given strict boundaries. I, for one, believe God gave me this inquisitive mind. My voice, way of teaching is a gift. I try not to single people out because of gender, creed or race. Adam joined Eve in the whole “let’s eat the fruit thing.” Paul’s writings are hard to understand at times. I try to put it in perspective of time, yet it is scripture so what am I supposed to learn? First, P...

  “ It is my wish, then, that in every place the men should pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger or argument. Similarly, [too,] women should adorn themselves with proper conduct, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hairstyles and gold ornaments, or pearls, or expensive clothes, but rather, as befits women who profess reverence for God, with good deeds”. 2 Timothy 2:8-10 Looks versus works. I will admit that it is not very pleasant to have teenage girls put on their makeup during class. Crimping eyelashes and turning their Chromebooks into a mirror instead of focusing on lessons. Today’s bible verses and subsequent verses talk about how Paul feels men, women, and leaders should behave. In a biblical letter, we only have one half of the conversation. Culturally, at the time period and even now, the focus was on showing wealth through “stuff.” Also, how women look is splashed over magazines, TV shows, etc. The point is that it isn’t about make-up, wh...

  “This was the testimony at the proper time. For this I was appointed preacher and apostle (I am speaking the truth, I am not lying), teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.” 1 Timothy 2:7 Speaking the truth. I think all of us are called to tell the truth and not lie. It is at the core of being a good person, not just a religious person. The truth is sometimes hard to say, as we may not want to hurt someone. Truth can be hard to find, as truth isn’t subjective, but people’s perception is. Paul calls us to be people of truth as he reminds his followers who he is. You’d think someone like Paul wouldn’t have had to write “I am speaking the truth, I am not lying.” In the early church, as people sifted through what Jesus meant and was about heresies popped up, so yeah Paul had to reassure people. The truth today is that you can be assured that my lens is a kaleidoscope and you are all beautiful on the path….

  “ For there is one God. There is also one mediator between God and the human race, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself as ransom for all.” 1 Timothy 2:5-6 When I teach church history, at the beginning, we start by designing our own game. What does this new game need? Usually, students begin with rules! LOL. The purpose is to show how and why the early church developed, and why there were different councils. Today, I am going to a Brewers game. It reminded me of teaching church history and today’s scripture verse. God has one game: Faith. God’s playbook is scripture. God’s head coach is Jesus. I’m sure my analogy falls short, but it is important to know that Jesus gives us a human example of being the best versions of ourselves. There is one God, and faith isn’t a game we play. Instead, our lives become a reflection of the one God through faith, a lived-out belief that Jesus is the one mediator between God and humans. I’ll watch the baseball game, knowing I can use ana...

1 Timothy 2:1-4 “Prayer and Conduct. First of all, then, I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone, for kings and for all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity. This is good and pleasing to God our savior,   who wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth.” Today’s reading is a reminder that we need to pray for everyone, including those who are in charge and those we don’t like. Supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings are more powerful than I think we sometimes give credit to. I recently wrote a lawmaker (supplication as I prayed as I wrote). I also prayed for them and gave thanks for their reply. It is important to do all things with God, for if we don’t, our humanness, which is beautiful, can go astray and not stay within boundaries. Who do you need to give supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgiving for on the path…  

  “We know that the law is good, provided that one uses it as law, with the understanding that law is meant not for a righteous person but for the lawless and unruly, the godless and sinful, the unholy and profane, those who kill their fathers or mothers, murderers, the unchaste, sodomites, kidnappers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is opposed to sound teaching.” 1 Timothy 1:8-10. Boundaries. It is hard to make sense of activities and events at times. How do we try to make sense of it all? In some ways, life is like bowling. There are gutters that our ball needs to stay out of. Once in a gutter, a ball only has one path to follow. (Yes, some have been able to have their ball jump the gutter.) Hitting pins is like how well we do with who we are. Some days I bowl a ten. Normally, though, I’d rate myself 6 or 7 on a scale of 1 to 10. When I throw a gutter ball, I don’t want to do that again. I think about my approach, my release, and what I was doing to bowl so poorly...

  “Some people have deviated from these and turned to meaningless talk, wanting to be teachers of the law, but without understanding either what they are saying or what they assert with such assurance.” 1 Timothy 1:6-7 Understanding. I teach Scripture and Church History, and this year I will teach Contemporary Religions. For two years, I taught Spirituality. It was a curriculum I wrote and developed. I found my passion with this. However, what does a teacher do in the summer? I read and study the curriculum I will be teaching next year. I want to make sure I know what I am talking about. Even though I have degrees and have taught the same thing for several years doesn’t mean that I stop learning and relearning. Today’s scripture verse is a reminder that we need to keep up with studying and learning. I also do this with hobbies and interests. I have been sewing for a long time. My Mom’s sewing machine had a pedal that was driven by your thigh. I didn’t need to wait until I co...