Shamefacedness (A Biblical View of Modesty)

SHAMEFACEDNESS
(A Biblical View of Modesty)

1st Timothy ch. 2:9-10

"Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly. Not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments, but rather by means of good works, as befits women making a claim to godliness."

It may be a good idea here, to first go over what Paul is not saying in these two verses.

These two verses speak to a woman's attitude, and the priorities she gives to the way she dresses for church. In other words, what is her motivation for what she is wearing? What does she call attention to with things like her clothes, make-up and hair? This is not to say that women should not wear gold or pearls, or braid their hair.

Modesty: The quality of not being too proud or confident about yourself or your abilities.
The quality of behaving and especially dressing in ways that do not attract sexual attention.
Freedom from conceit or vanity.
Propriety in dress, speech or conduct.



STUDY QUESTIONS:
----------------

1. According to the text, what should our motives as women be when we go to church?

2. What do you think are some of the opposites of modesty?

3. Why do you think Paul takes time to give Timothy counsel on how women should dress?

4. In this passage Timothy also instructs men about how they should pray (lifting up holy hands). Why do you think
these guidelines about women's dress, and men's prayers are written together?

5. Would you say immodesty is limited only to clothing? What are some other areas where immodestly can be
displayed?

6. In what ways can we as women show an attitude of modesty towards our brothers in Christ?

7. Give an example of something you feel is immodest.

8. Are there areas of my daily walk where I struggle with immodesty?

9. What do you think are some general ways we might encourage one another towards modesty?

10. What does Timothy mean when he mentions "dressing discreetly"?

11. Why do you think modesty is particularly important when we come together for worship?

12. Why is it important to be examples of modesty for children and teenagers?


-- CES (C)Copyright 2014.





*All studies on this blog are arranged by me personally based on prayer & study of the scriptures. All scripture references are taken from the NAS translation (though some are paraphrased). All definitions are taken from Dictionary.com
*Note: For further study, check out a CD series from the Revive Our Hearts ministry called "The Attractive Chritian Woman".

Rejoice in the Lord Always (Philippians 4:4-8)

All studies on this blog are arranged by me personally based on my own study of scripture. It is my prayer that these can be a tool which might help you get to Jesus better.

--CES


*All scripture references are from the NAS translation (though some are paraphrased).
*Definitions are from Webster's and dictionary.com

Philippians chapter 4 verses 4 through 8 gives us a sort of summary, or list of things which the believer is to set their mind on or to think about, concerning God. This study will take each quality, or characteristic on the list and try to examine it more closely.

STUDY QUESTIONS:

Verse 4: "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice."

Rejoice: To give joy to. To feel joy or great delight.
(To have or possess) these things.

1. A.) Based on the above definition, what are some specific things we can do to make sure we are rejoicing in the Lord in our circumstances?

B.) How can we be prepared to rejoice anyway, when it is not easy?

Verse 5: "Let your forbearing spirit be known to all men. God is near."

Forbearing: to choose not to do, or to avid doing something you could do. To avoid doing or saying something.
Forbearing can also mean to be disinclined to be severe or rigorous.

2. A.) Based on the above definition, what are some things we can do in order to have a forbearing spirit with others?

B.) Why is this important to remember?
C.) when is it difficult to have forbearing spirit?

3. If I am not severe or rigorous, what am I?
(What would some opposites be?)

Verse 6: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, through prayer and supplication, let your requests be made known to God."

4. What can we do when we ARE anxious?

Supplication: humility. To petition with humility.

5. What does supplication mean as it relates to prayer?

Verse 7: "And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

6. Why does the end of this verse say: "In Christ Jesus"?
(How specifically does he fill us with that peace?)

7. What does it mean to have this peace guard our hearts & our minds?

8. What are some things we can do specifically to draw near to God so that we can have that peace?

Verse 8: "Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is pure, whatever is right, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute; if there is anything excellent or praiseworthy, let your mind dwell on these things."

1. Is it true?
(How can we respond when something is not true, or we are not sure whether it's true?)

Honorable: Honesty, fairness or integrity in one's beliefs or actions.

2. Is it honorable?
(What does it mean when something is honorable?)
(How might we respond in an honorable way, if something is NOT honorable?)

3. What does the word pure mean to you?

4. How might we help others focus on what is pure?

5. What are examples of things that God considers pure?

6. Is it right?

Note: try to think of right as being either factually correct, or fair, (upright) rather than just a matter of personal opinion.

(As Christians, why is it important to make sure that we are fair with ourselves and others?)
(what can we do in conversation, to make sure our speech is fair, and upright?)

7. Whatever is lovely. What are some things that are lovely or beautiful to you?

8. What is of good repute (or report), praiseworthy, and excellent?
(Do we draw nearer to the Lord when we share these things with others?)

9. What might be something we participate in that would not be considered "of good repute"?

10. Is there anything specific about your life or walk that you struggle with that is not consistent with what is listed above?

How Do Ya Like Them Apples (The Fruits of the Spirit)

Each of the study outlines in this blog are arranged by me personally, based on my own study of the scriptures and prayerful consideration. My hope is that they might be useful or helpful to you on your own journey getting to know Jesus.

--CES

*All scripture references are based on the NAS Bible (though some will be paraphrased),

We read about what scripture calls the fruit of the spirit in Galatians chapter 5, verses 22 and 23.

They are as follows:

1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Faithfulness
8. Gentleness
9. Self Control


STUDY QUESTIONS:
----------------

1. What could be another term for the "fruit" of the spirit? What do we mean when we say that?

2. How might you explain this "fruit" to a non-believer?

3. How do you specifically seek out Christ's love in your life? (personally). What do you most enjoy doing to share the love of Christ?

4. What is an example of someone else sharing Christ's love that touched you?

5. To you, what is the difference between joy & happiness?

6. How has the joy of Christ sustained you? (Give an example).

7. God's word speaks of the peace which passes all understanding. Give an example of how his peace brought you through a challenging situation.

8. How do you think Christ's peace differs from our own idea of peace?

9. Why do you suppose people joke about not praying for patience? What are some things we might do in order to "pursue" patience (and it's perfect work in us)? (James 1:4).

10. How do you think God's kindness differs from what we consider to be kindness?

11. What do you think are some things that tend to "kill" kindness in your daily walk?

12. How do you believe we can demonstrate God's goodness to others?

13. Give examples of how You believe God has shown his goodness to you?

14. How would you say God has helped you to remain faithful (to him or to others) when it has not been easy?

15. How has God loved you when your faith has wavered? (How has he been faithful to you?)

16. What are some ways that we can show Christ's gentleness to others?

17. In scripture, which examples of Christ's gentleness really speak to you? (pick one or several).

18. What does self-control mean to you personally?

19. To you, what are some ways we can practice self control?

20. In which areas of life would you like to have more self control?


CES (C)Copyright 2014.