Sunday, April 8

Class Plan - Content1. Introduction2-3 Of much we have been

FORGIVEN, therefore we pray that all men be saved

4 Personal Relationships – how we should treat others

5-6-7 False Teachers; Why, How, What

8 All SCRIPTURE is inspired by GOD and PROFITABLE

9-10 The role of WOMEN in the Church

11-12 Widows; Then & Now

13-14 Slavery; Then & Now15-16 Respect for Authority17-18 Elders & Deacons19-23 How does what Paul

told Timothy and Titus to do relate to responsibilities and authority in the Church today. Preachers, Apostles, Clergy, Overseers of Overseers

24-25 Vessels of Honor26 Wrap-up

Honor (support) widows1 Timothy 5:3-5(NASB) 3Honor widows who are

widows indeed; 4but if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God.

5Now she who is a widow indeed and who has been left alone, has fixed her hope on God and continues in entreaties and prayers night and day.

But …1 Timothy 5:6-8 (NASB)

6But she who gives herself to wanton pleasure is dead even while she lives. 7Prescribe these things as well, so that they may be above reproach. 8But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Who is a “widow indeed”1 Timothy 5:9-10 (NASB) 9A widow is to be put on

the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been the wife of one man, 10having a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work.

Young widows1 Timothy 5:11-15 (NASB)

11But refuse to put younger widows on the list, for when they feel sensual desires in disregard of Christ, they want to get married, 12thus incurring condemnation, because they have set aside their previous pledge. 13At the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things not proper to mention. 14Therefore, I want younger widows to get married, bear children, keep house, and give the enemy no occasion for reproach; 15for some have already turned aside to follow Satan.

Priorities1 Timothy 5:16 (NASB)

16If any woman who is a believer has dependent widows, she must assist them and the church must not be burdened, so that it may assist those who are widows indeed.

Instructions concerning Widows1 Corinthians 7:8(NASB) 8But I say to the

unmarried and to widows that it is good for them if they remain even as I.

1 Corinthians 7:39(NASB) 39A wife is bound as long as her husband lives; but if her husband is dead, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.

Deacons, serving WidowsActs 6:1-3(NASB) 1Now at this time while the

disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. 2So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. 3“Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.

Old Testament Stories of WidowsGenesis 38:6-30 (Tamar & Judah)Ruth 1:3-5; Ruth 1:15-17; Ruth 4:5-10; (Ruth, Naomi,

Boaz)1 Samuel 27:3; 1 Samuel 30:5; 2 Samuel 2:2; 2

Samuel 3:3; (Abigail)2 Samuel 12:1-25; (Bathsheba)2 Samuel 6:16-23; 2 Samuel 20:3; (Michal & Concubines

live as Widows)

1 Kings 7:13-14; 1 Kings 11:26; (the Widow’s Son)1 Kings 17:9-20; (Elijah and the Widow of Zarepath)2 Kings 11:1-3; 2 Chronicles 22:10-12; (Athaliah)

Old Testament Provision for Widows in the LawExodus 22:22-24, 21:10-15, 22:13; Numbers 30:9;

Deuteronomy 14:29, 16:10-14, 24:17-21, 27:19, 26:12-13; Ezekiel 44:15, 22

Exodus 22:22-24(NASB) 22“You shall not afflict any widow or orphan. 23“If you afflict him at all, and if he does cry out to Me, I will surely hear his cry; 24and My anger will be kindled, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless.

Widows in ScriptureExamples of living in constant want

… driven by want to devote themselves to what is truly important

Old Testament – Misc, AllegoryJob 27:15; Job 29:13; Job 31:16; Psalm 78:64; Psalm

109:9; Isaiah 9:17; Isaiah 47:8-9; Isaiah 54:4; Jeremiah 15:8; Jeremiah 18:21; Jeremiah 49:11; Lamentations 1:1; Lamentations 5:3

Isaiah 47:8-9(NASB) 8 “Now, then, hear this, you sensual one, Who dwells securely, Who says in your heart, ‘I am, and there is no one besides me. I will not sit as a widow, Nor know loss of children.’ 9 “But these two things will come on you suddenly in one day: Loss of children and widowhood. They will come on you in full measure In spite of your many sorceries, In spite of the great power of your spells.

Old Testament - Justice for WidowsDeuteronomy 10:18; Job 22:9; Job 24:3; Job 24:21;

Psalm 68:5; Psalm 94:6; Psalm 146:9; Proverbs 15:25; Isaiah 1:17-23; Isaiah 10:2; Jeremiah 7:6; Jeremiah 22:3; Ezekiel 22:7-25; Zechariah 7:9-10; Malachi 3:5

Isaiah 1:17-23(NASB) 17 Learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless, Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow. 18 “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool.”

Judgment of JudaismMalachi 3:5(NASB) 5“Then I will draw near to

you for judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers and against the adulterers and against those who swear falsely, and against those who oppress the wage earner in his wages, the widow and the orphan, and those who turn aside the alien and do not fear Me,” says the LORD of hosts.

New Testament re: Widows Matthew 23:14; Mark 12:40-43; Luke 2:36-38;

Luke 4:25-26; Luke 7:11-15; Luke 18:3-5; Luke 20:45-47; Luke 21:2-3; Acts 6:1-3; Acts 9:36-42; 1 Corinthians 7:8; 1 Corinthians 7:39; James 1:27; Revelation 18:7

Scribes & Widows Mark 12:38-43(NASB) 38In His teaching He was saying:

“Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes, and like respectful greetings in the market places, 39and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, 40who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers; these will receive greater condemnation.”

41And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. 42A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. 43Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; 44for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.”

WidowsNT teaching focuses on:

Spiritual need – for young widows to prevent them from falling into lives of idleness.

Material need – for elderly widows with no means of support

Avoiding dragging the Church into providing long term support for those who should be able to provide for themselves

Preserving the ability to provide for those truly in need

“Charity begins at home.” - “Get Married & keep house”

Modern day applicationLess concern with NT issue of elderly Widows

having no source of material supportMore concern with “modern” needs:1.Denial - Anger2.Grief - Depression3.Guilt

Did not Love Each Other

“Fell out” of love

Loved Each Other Got along well

Fought and Made up often

Lived a truce

Hated Each Other Fought often – constantly

Modern day applicationLess concern with NT issue of elderly Widows

having no source of material supportMore concern with “modern” needs:1.Denial - Anger 2.Grief - Depression3.Guilt4.Loneliness or “profound solitude”5.Loss of Spousal benefits 6.Daily Physical & Social Isolation7.Making tragic choices8.Friends wanting to help – but with no idea how

Widows in Modern DayWe still to consider the NT pattern:

Spiritual need – Lives devoted to GodPhysical & Material need – Things widows can’t

do for themselvesUnderstanding a condition that awaits 80% of all

womenAvoiding dragging the Church into providing

long term support for those who need to learn to cope for themselves

Preserving the ability to provide for those truly in need

Widows indeedThose in greatest need …

Don’t live here !

Issues for Wednesday DiscussionNeeds of Widows

-What can the church and it’s members do to help-What should we do

Tragic Choices – what and how to avoidWidows to be – 80% of women/50% of those married today will

face being widowed“this is likely to be me someday”:

- Conversations with my Spouse - How am I prepared, What will I do- How will I treat Widows now, knowing I am likely

James 1:27(NASB) 27Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.