Winter Quarter: Unit III, Lesson 9 – Teachers

As a result of experiencing this lesson, you should be able to do these things:

• Examine how God called and empowered women to proclaim His message.
• Affirm the contributions of godly women to the church’s mission.
• Advocate for greater recognition of God-called women in the church.

Dreams (Acts 2:17)—Greek: enupnion (en-oop’-nee-on): visions.

Prayers (Luke 2:37)—Greek: deésis (deh’-ay-sis): supplications; entreaties; “praying” (NIV).

Prophesy (Acts 2:17)—Greek: prophéteuó (prof-ate-yoo’-o): to foretell, predict, speak forth by divine inspirations.

Prophetess (Luke 2:36)—Greek: prophétis (prof-ay’-tis): a female who declares or interprets oracles; a female “prophet” (NIV).

Redemption (Luke 2:38)—Greek: lutrósis (loo’-tro-sis): in the Old Testament: ransoming from imprisonment for debt, or from slavery; release from national misfortune, etc.; liberation; deliverance; release.

Servants (Acts 2:18)—Greek: doulos (doo’-los): slaves; persons who are enslaved.

Widow (Luke 2:37)—Greek: chéra (khay’-rah): a woman whose husband has died.

• Refer to the Townsend Press SS Commentary Teacher’s Edition for an additional lesson plan—with word studies, insights on teaching adults, learner matrices, etc.
• Review last week’s student assignments (“Your Life” and Your World!”).
• Thoroughly review your student book for your adult or young adult class.
• Please note that you have the option of using your subscription bundle supplements, i.e., Lesson Scenario, Student Activity Sheet, SSL-AAG Listener and Answer Sheets, etc.

All people have a unique purpose in life. How do we affirm each individual’s purpose? Throughout the Scriptures, we find numerous examples of women responding to God’s call.

For many generations, certain tasks in the church have been designated according to gender. The assignment of ministry roles in the church is a long-debated topic that has only recently begun to receive a form of balance. Despite the gender differences and sometimes biases, we can easily identify women who made great contributions throughout history. This is true in the African- American culture, general American society, and various civilizations throughout the world as a whole. While we affirm equality between the sexes, we often continue to struggle with what this means. This struggle, which is often internal, can cause conflict and miscommunications within relationships, particularly regarding expectations and perceived responsibilities to and from one another. Gender perceptions may vary between cultures and even among families within the same community and culture. As we grow in the Word and in serving God, we should prioritize hearing the truth, no matter who tells it. We desire the truth of the Word, even when it disagrees with long-held traditions or practices.

While we often equate prophecy with foretelling the future, the job of the biblical prophet was to speak forth the words of God, often prefaced with the words “thus saith the Lord” (see Exodus 9:13; Joshua 7:13; 1 Kings 11:31; 2 Kings 9:3; 1 Chronicles 17:7; 2 Chronicles 11:4). Today’s church has a limited understanding of the role of prophetic ministry, often confining it to a supernatural ability to declare the future by the power of God rather than to speak a timely word from God. Biblical prophets spoke messages from God of warning, repentance, instruction, and hope. Throughout Bible history, God called and anointed both men and women to stand in the five-fold ministry office of the prophet, alongside pastors, teachers, apostles, and evangelists. Most believers are well acquainted with male prophets but not as familiar with female prophets like Deborah, Huldah, Isaiah’s wife, Anna, and the daughters of Philip. Peter wrote that the prophets were empowered to speak “as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:21). Anna is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew name Hannah, meaning “grace” or “divine favor.” Ironically, the content of Anna’s prophecy concerning the birth of Jesus bore similarities to Hannah’s song at the birth of her son, the prophet Samuel (see 1 Samuel 2:1-10).

(Choose from the items below.)

1. What are your thoughts on women in ministry?
2. Do you believe that God can use a child, some- one with a questionable past, or anyone He chooses to spread the Gospel?
3. What would you consider prerequisites, minimum qualifications, or common character traits of those who preach the Gospel?

Believers of the Lord Jesus Christ continue to be divided in their opinions regarding the specific ministry roles God makes available to women. While society has begun to change its understanding of the roles God has ordained for women, there remains much debate on the subject. Despite the discussion on positions, titles, and roles, most believers agree that the responsibility to proclaim the Gospel belongs to all believers, both men and women. This has become less and less debated in our communities. Those who are aware of church history can easily recognize the many meaningful contributions of great Christian women in every generation.

Christians may never completely agree on some issues. Paul taught that all of Jesus’ followers have unique value in the sight of God, although they may differ in the ministry gifts they possess. God has not called believers to compare gifts among themselves but to walk together in spiritual unity. The task of the church is not to debate whom God has called but to help people grow in Christian discipleship, nurturing their gifts as they continue to grow in faith and impact the world. The church’s additional duty lies in teaching the Scriptures and praying for the power and renewed vigor necessary to maintain the ministry to which God has called us.

ADDITIONAL EXPOSITORY INSIGHTS FOR THE TEACHER

Luke 2:36-38

KJV

36  And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;

37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

38  And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

NIV

36  There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,

37  and then was a widow until she was eighty- four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.

38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

In both the Old and New Testaments, women are endowed by God with prophetic anointing. Biblical prophets spoke powerful proclamations from God. Those who prophesied future events spoke with complete accuracy. Luke wrote that Anna had lived with her husband for seven years before he died. Just to introduce some contextual perspective, if she were married at the age of 12, after seven years of marriage and widowed for eighty-four years, she would have been 103 years old at Jesus’ birth. It is also possible that Anna was 84, but most interpret the text to say that she was widowed for eighty-four years. Whatever Anna’s age, the writer seemed to capture the longevity of her faithful devotion and dedication to God. The depth of Anna’s faith is shown by her confidence that the infant, Jesus, was the promised Messiah and hope of spiritual redemption for the people of God. With this confidence, she began to proclaim that Jesus was the redemption sought by the people (verse 38). Without the support of a husband, widowed women in biblical times were often impoverished and forced to rely on the goodwill and financial support of family and others, but were ultimately dependent on God.

DISCUSSION STARTERS

(Please review the appropriate student lesson for related biblical exposition section.)

• Adult Question:

How do you react when you finally receive a long- awaited answer to prayer?

• Young Adult Questions:

Anna waited for many years looking forward to the coming of the Messiah. Suggest ways you can imitate Anna’s patience, devotion, and faith.

Acts 2:16-21

KJV

16  But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;

17  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:

18  And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

19  And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:

20  The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come:

21  And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

NIV

16  “No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

17  “‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.

18  “‘Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.

19  “‘I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke.

20  “‘The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.

21  “‘And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”

Peter declared that with the coming of the Spirit, God would anoint the young and old, male and female. He stood in the midst of the crowd and made a bold proclamation concerning the life and ministry of Jesus and the arrival of the Holy Spirit, quoting Joel 2:28-32, which foretold the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the Church Age. The phrase “last days” (verse 17) is not included in the Joel passage, but was added by Peter through divine inspiration to declare the present fulfillment of Joel’s ancient prophecy. In the Old Testament, the phrase was designated for the messianic era of the kingdom of God (see Isaiah 2:2; Hosea 3:5). Peter declared that God had made the same Jesus whom the Jews crucified “both Lord and Messiah” (Acts 2:36, NIV), and called his listeners to repentance and salvation through faith in His name. Joel’s prophecy foretold the truth of God’s redemptive work through Christ Jesus, the Messiah. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost ushered in God’s salvation to Jews and Gentiles, allowing anyone who would call on the name of the Lord by faith to be saved.

DISCUSSION STARTERS

(Please review the appropriate student book’s related biblical exposition section.)

• Adult Question:

Do you take advantage of opportunities to share your faith or experiences concerning Jesus to those you meet? Why or why not?

• Young Adult Questions:

There was something different about those who had experienced God’s presence in the Upper Room on the Day of Pentecost. Are you living in such a way that others can see God’s Spirit in you?

Acts 21:8-9

KJV

8  And the next day we that were of Paul’s company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.

9  And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.

NIV

8  Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea and stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven.

9  He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.

Arriving at Caesarea, the apostle Paul and those with him were hosted by Philip, who had gained a reputation as an evangelist. Philip was one of the first seven disciples chosen as deacons to supervise the ministry to the widows of the early church (see Acts 6:3). He ministered in Samaria to an Ethiopian eunuch and in the coastal plain (see Acts 8:5, 26, 40). According to the text, Philip was a Greek-speaking Jew. The last reference to him relates to his presence in Caesarea, where he apparently made his permanent home (see Acts 8:40). While Philip was known as an evangelist, the distinction of “evangelist” in the text could also be an identifier to distinguish him as a different person than Philip the apostle. He is the only named evangelist in the New Testament (see 2 Timothy 4:5). Notably, Philip’s four unmarried daughters were empowered by the Spirit with the gift of prophecy and dedicated to the work of the Lord (see 1 Corinthians 7:8). Their mention in the Scriptures is not to be regarded lightly. They stand among the biblical prophetesses Miriam (see Exodus 15:20), Deborah (see Judges 4:4), Noadiah (see Nehemiah 6:14), and Huldah (see 2 Kings 22:14), proving that through the ages God has used both men and women to declare Himself to the world.

DISCUSSION STARTERS

(Please review the appropriate student book’s related biblical exposition section.)

• Adult Question:

How can we better engage the world for Christ, utilizing everyone God has called and anointed?

• Young Adult Questions:

The presence of prophesying women is seen in the Old and New Testaments. What can the contemporary church do to support and encourage women to live out their calling in Christ?

• Refer to Adult Book

(See student lesson’s “Your Life” section.)

— This week, specifically seek a woman in ministry (preaching or teaching) and encourage her by assuring her of your prayers for God’s blessings upon her life and work for the kingdom. Now do not forget to pray!

(See student lesson’s “Your World!” section.)

— Many people chose to ignore the presence of women in Scripture, such as Anna, Philip’s daughters, Deborah, Isaiah’s wife, and Huldah, all of whom served in the ministry role of female prophets. Others angrily deny God’s call and use of some women to serve in public ministry. This week, examine your own feelings about the women whom God has called. Do not be like those on the Day of Pentecost who mocked and dismissed the disciples’ spiritual gift of tongues (or languages) just because it was unfamiliar to them. Who are we to challenge the persons God chooses to use? You will never know the quality or legitimacy of any person’s ministry based on age, background, gender, or ethnicity. Jesus said, “By their fruit ye shall know them” (Matthew 7:20). God has room for us all.

• Refer to Young Adult Book

(See student lesson’s “Your Life” section.)

— Peter, quoting from Joel, preached that God’s would send His Word through men as well as women. God’s Holy Spirit has been poured out to everyone, without respect to gender, race, or age. Support all those whom God has called and honor them with your prayers.

(See student lesson’s “Your World!” section.)

— Acts 2:38 (NIV) says that God’s gift is “for all whom the Lord our God will call,” meaning every believer can receive God’s gift of the Holy Spirit. Like the women in this week’s lesson, resolve to use your gifts and callings to the glory of God.

The lesson topic for Sunday, February 7, 2021, is “No Insignificant Witnesses.” The Devotional Reading is John 1:37-51, the Background Scriptures are John 1:37-51; 4:25-42, and the Printed Text is John 4:25-42.

Lord, help us to be prayerful and encouraging of all whom You have called to the ministry of the Word. We open our hearts and minds, setting aside any cultural biases or traditions that hinder us from hearing You. We acknowledge Your sovereign authority to choose and use whom You will for Your glory. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

(February 1-7, 2021)

CALLED TO EVANGELIZE

MONDAY, February 1: “Receive the Water of Life” (Revelation 21:1-7)
TUESDAY, February 2: “Jesus Declares, “I Am from Above” (John 8:21-30)
WEDNESDAY, February 3: “God’s Children Led by the Spirit” (Romans 8:12-17)
THURSDAY, February 4: “Simon and Andrew First Disciples” (John 1:37-42)
FRIDAY, February 5: “Galileans Philip and Nathanael Become Disciples” (John 1:43-51)
SATURDAY, February 6: “Jesus Heals Son of Galilean Official” (John 4:43-54)
SUNDAY, February 7: “Samaritans Come to Jesus” (John 4:25-42)