Women seperate from men?

[Lanolin]

Are there instances in the Bible where the women and men are spearated when fellowshipping.
Just wondering, as Im a bit weary of all these christian women groups, its like, ok I get that maybe women need to have their own groups for certain things, but arent we meant to be one in Christ and not always separated into male and female.

Sometimes sisters actually want to hang out with their brothers too. And wont both be richer for it?

 

[Dino246]

Basically, no, there aren't. There are situations where only men were present, but they are recorded in narrative passages and there is nothing to indicate that such were exemplary. Except where the gathering is gender-specific (and is such for a good reason), there should be no divisions, per Galatians 3:28.

 

[memyselfi]

To my knowledge, for what that is worth, there are not gender specific groups in the Bible.

I realize there are a lot of churches today that have gender specific Bible studies that have both.

If you live in a place or go to a church that only has one gender, start your own Bible group for both. Maybe G-d is calling you to do this if it is on your heart!?! Separate groups do have their own purpose, but both, men ad women, can glean from each other too.

Expecially if I want to understand how a man thinks, I'm going to a man not a woman; no matter what society says we ARE CREATED DIFERENT!!!! I will NEVER FORGET I saw my ex-husband one day and he hurt me (many years ago) ... I went to my mom and comforted my feelings; I spoke to my dad about it he said, "what did you expect"!

 

[melita916]

at my local fellowship, women have a bible study on mondays, men have a bible on fridays, and wednesday night bible study is open to everyone.

 

[Lanolin]

Whats with all the separate gender bible studies, I dont see any difference in the content. Its the same Bible.

One church I went to had separate coffee groups, one for men, and one for women, they met on the same day, men went to one cafe, the women went to the other, in the same mall.

Retreats...women had own retreats, own conferences, but...I didnt notice any difference in the sermons, only that women were speaking a lot more.

Bibles in schools...all the teachers seemed to be women.

A mens group started up on a saturday, so once they had their own separate meeting, then the women had to form their own cos they were left out.

Ive been invited to a ladies night out, we are going bowling, but it just struck me whats wrong with inviting the men?

I had been going to a ladies group, but maybe it was just it was the only night I was free. And then one time I went to a bible study, being the only female there, and I felt like I was kind intruding on the men. They didnt say anything bad but they werent encouraging me to return either.

Ive been in mixed fellowships and it was fine with non denominational churches but it churches just seem many mainstream to want to divide up ther fellowships by gender when they meet for bible study. I just find that strange or maybe im just noticing it more.

I had started several bible studies and we met weekly but I never said oh its only women allowed.

 

[Demi777]

Men were sitting on one side, women on the other. Im pretty sure theres a part somewhere about woman teaching woman and children

 

[Lanolin]

Do woman and men just not like each other enough to be in the same bible study in some churches. Just wondering.

Im just a bit weirded out now by it all. Cos in most schools its not separated by gender, only the catholics seemed to do that. I was thinking women dont really want to have their own separate groups its only cos they were originally excluded from learning with the men.

Or maybe its just a holdover from the olden days where women were just not given any education.

 

[memyselfi]

Do woman and men just not like each other enough to be in the same bible study in some churches. Just wondering.

Im just a bit weirded out now by it all. Cos in most schools its not separated by gender, only the catholics seemed to do that. I was thinking women dont really want to have their own separate groups its only cos they were originally excluded from learning with the men.

Or maybe its just a holdover from the olden days where women were just not given any education.

Tell me about New Zealand... Is it the norm you are fighting against? What can you do to change it?

 

[JaumeJ]

I confess, whenever a woman has spoken in any congregation I have attended and the Hoy Spirit has been presnt, I have always listened attentively and received blssings from our Father. I cannot help myself.

Sarah, Mariam, Deborah, Esther, Mary and so many more........Siser's wife! Add to this if they occur to you......…I like to review the Word daily.

 

[p_rehbein]

An Article that will shed some light on this subject:

(excperpt)

Women were held in high regard in Old Testament times
The social condition of women in the first century had been radically altered from that of their Old Testament sisters. In earlier times women participated in every aspect of community life except the Temple priesthood. Women freely engaged in commerce and real estate (Prov. 31), as well as in manual labor (Ex. 35:25; Ruth 2:7; 1 Sam. 8:13). They were not excluded from Temple worship. Women played music in the sanctuary (Ps. 68:25), prayed there (1 Sam 1:12), sang and danced with men in religious processions (2 Sam 6:19, 22) and participated in music and festivities at weddings (Song of Songs 2:7, 3:11).

Women were included when God instituted the Mosaic covenant (Deut. 29:11), and were present when Joshua read the Torah to Israel. Their presence was not just an option; they were required to be present for the public reading of the Scriptures on the Feast of Tabernacles (Deut. 31:12).

Nor were women limited to private roles back then. Several exercised leadership roles over Israel. Miriam led the women of Israel in worship (Ex. 15:20-21); Deborah was a judge and a prophetess (Judges 4:4); and Huldah also was a prophetess, whom King Josiah consulted instead of Jeremiah, her contemporary (2 Kings 22:14-20).

Women were held in high regard in Old Testament times. In Gen. 21:12 we read that God told Abraham to listen to his wife. Proverbs 18:22 tells us that he who finds a wife finds a good thing and Proverbs 19:14 says that an intelligent wife is a gift from God. Wise women also found their way into the pages of the Bible: Abigail’s wisdom and valor so touched King David that she became his wife (1 Sam. 25:23-42); and the wise woman of Tekoa was sent to persuade David to lift the ban on his son Absalom (2 Sam. 14).

(found here)

Jesus and the Role of Women – Jews for Jesus

 

[p_rehbein]

Here is another Article that speaks of Separate Seating in Church:

(excerpt)

Separate Church Seating Arrangement
By Leland M. Haines
The historical practice established by the apostles is for the men and women to be seated separately in the service. This practice was followed in the church until recent times when it became fashionable to throw out the historical practice and sit as families. This modern custom should be rejected for the following reasons:

1. Separate seating was established in the early church by the apostles whom Jesus assigned the task to help Him to "build my church." We are told to "stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter" (II Thessalonians 2:15), therefore this apostolic established practice should be retained. Augustine (354-430 ad) wrote about separated seating: "the masses flock to the churches and their chaste acts of worship, where a seemly separation of the sexes is observed; where they learn how they may so spend this earthly life."

2. It creates greater fellowship within the church. After the service, less attention is directed to the other family members and more to other brethren and sisters and friends.

3. Separated seating makes it easier for widows, widowers, and singles to feel a part of the brotherhood. They do not feel isolated because they do not have their own family to sit with. This gives them a greater feeling of fellowship with others.

4. The ministers can speak more directly to brethren or sisters when required.

5. It improves congregational singing. The soprano and alto sisters are together, and the tenor and bass brethren are together, creating greater harmony.

6. It lessens distractions between husband and wife and romance between the unmarried within the service, thus creating a better spiritual atmosphere.

7. When seated separately in the assembly, visitors and friends, as well as brethren and sisters, pay more attention to spiritual matters in the service. When the minister speaks a word that is convicting, these cannot avoid it as easily by switching their attention to a partner. This creates a better atmosphere for the Holy Spirit to work in.

8. Separate seating also provides for a quieter service. Children are separated and under the control of one parent, and when a mother has to leave the service with a small child, there is less distraction.

9. The holy kiss is less likely to be practiced in mixed seating assemblies.

(found here)

Separate Church Seating Arrangement - Bible Teachings

 

[Lanolin]

Am not talking about separate seating I mean whole separate bible studies. Where its only one gender.

I have never witnessed a church that separated all the seating for a service. The only division there is when the children go off to sunday school.

 

[Lanolin]

Tell me about New Zealand... Is it the norm you are fighting against? What can you do to change it?

Maybe its just some churches?

I dont know, what is normal? I think its a bit abnormal to have all these christian womens groups really. Why the separation? Womens aglow, womens conferences, womens retreats.

In heaven, is it all going to be separated as well? I dont think so.

Dont know if its just a nz thing. As, I havent really gone to church in other countries. But just doesnt seem biblical to me.

 

[Lanolin]

In nz..well I dont know.
I asked God where are all the christian men, and he just always gives me proverbs 20:6

It was like He was asking me, and Im like dont ask me as I have no idea where they are hiding.

Maybe its a baptist thing. But then the presys do it too, like they have a girls brigade but they dont have a boys one.

In school its kind of taken for granted that girls grow up faster than boys and seem to be cleverer, but then somehow when girls reach an certain age they just kinda stop learning and defer to the boys. Well I dont know as always been older than my brothers so its not like Im used to deferring to them just cos they are boys.
But then, sons always seem to be favoured over daughters in chinese families...you just cant win if you are a girl. You will never be number one, even if you are the first born.

I once asked a really stupid question, to my boss who played hockey, why dont men and women play sports together, like in mixed teams. Oh its cos women are weaker. Really, oh yes the national womens hockey team just gets totally wasted if they play a junior boys hockey team. Yea well if so why not just play mixed teams and be more equal and that just was like what are you suggesting?!

 

[garee]

Are there instances in the Bible where the women and men are spearated when fellowshipping.
Just wondering, as Im a bit weary of all these christian women groups, its like, ok I get that maybe women need to have their own groups for certain things, but arent we meant to be one in Christ and not always separated into male and female.

Sometimes sisters actually want to hang out with their brothers too. And wont both be richer for it?

For the whole period of time that their were kings in Israel. men and woman had a different responsibility .Men lorded it over woman . In the temple where the ceremonies were there were high walls that separated woman from being involved in the ceremonies with men. as well as the gentile court , separated form the woman's court it was under the mans thumb and poor seperated from the higher class .. Divorce was High, marriage lost it ability for two to sufferer as one. Religious men were honored for having more divorces .

Jesus brought reformation and the time period was restored to from before there were kings in Israel .Men and woman free to worship along with men, free to prophecy, and hope the gospel will work in others. .

Acts 2:15-17 King James Version (KJV) For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

 

[Lanolin]

In all the history of judah and Israel, I think there was only one queen and one judge who was female.

Yet other countries had queens eg Queen of Sheba.

All the prophets seemed to be male. Yet Gods promise is that daughters shall prophesy.
The patriarchs of israel were all male, 12 sons, daughter Dinah is never mentioned, she's not even considered part of the family, even though her boyfriend wanted to become an israelite. Her brothers murdered him.

In the OT seemed like lots of prostitution going on...eg Tamar, Rahab. Women werent regarded as anything, just seemed like part of a mans possession, so sad. And if a woman was widowed, she had nothing.

Ok maybe in those days they didnt have things like tampons so they thought women were unclean when they had their monthly periods. But is that any reason to treat women all the time as lepers?

 

[JaumeJ]

Everyone who knows and confesses Jesus Yeshua as Lord and Savior knows this only by the spirit of prophesy. Rev..

 

[garee]

In all the history of judah and Israel, I think there was only one queen and one judge who was female.

Yet other countries had queens eg Queen of Sheba.

All the prophets seemed to be male. Yet Gods promise is that daughters shall prophesy.
The patriarchs of israel were all male, 12 sons, daughter Dinah is never mentioned, she's not even considered part of the family, even though her boyfriend wanted to become an israelite. Her brothers murdered him.

In the OT seemed like lots of prostitution going on...eg Tamar, Rahab. Women werent regarded as anything, just seemed like part of a mans possession, so sad. And if a woman was widowed, she had nothing.

Ok maybe in those days they didnt have things like tampons so they thought women were unclean when they had their monthly periods. But is that any reason to treat women all the time as lepers?

When it comes to new creatures God puts no difference between male and female created he them (mankind) as one. Deborah the prophetess prophesied declaring the will of God . It would seem the male prophets were not deemed valuable in the way to win His victory .The time of the government of Christ has been restored to the time period of the Judges . Visual representation is no longer needed. Men and woman together as one are lifted up as prophetess, prophets those who declare the word of God the Spirit of prophecy as spoken of by Joel

 

[Lanolin]

Hmm been looking more into this and 1 Peter 3:1-7

Is talking about husbands and wives being TOGETHER not separated out. Esp verse 7. So am not sure why all these christian women bible study groups, and many of these women are not all single, many are married, so while these women are studying the bible their husbands are at home and NOT studying the bible with them.

??

 

[jaybird88]

Are there instances in the Bible where the women and men are spearated when fellowshipping.
Just wondering, as Im a bit weary of all these christian women groups, its like, ok I get that maybe women need to have their own groups for certain things, but arent we meant to be one in Christ and not always separated into male and female.

Sometimes sisters actually want to hang out with their brothers too. And wont both be richer for it?

the separation of men and women in a holy place goes back to the ark (of Noah). the bible is not very specific on this other then the men went in together as a group and then the women went in as a group. in the ancient days when men and women were separated in church it was based on the ark, this is how ancient people understood it.