1 Corinthians 14:34-35 is a small passage couched in many interpretive difficulties. In this class we attempt to understand some of the debates around the text, its variant readings, and what to do with it. What do we think about the gifts and talents God gives us and their proper usage?

Please note: There were difficulties with the audio for this class and the first five minutes are missing. Parts of the rest are a big garbled. We apologize for the lack of clarity and hope the handout will help.

This is a deep exploration into 1 Corinthians 11, what it says about women's involvement in the early Church and some possible ideas of what to do with the "head covering" passages. Class begins with an Interlude about commonly held positions regarding Women and their inclusion--or exclusion--from Church life in various settings.

Much like the previous lesson, the topic of Women in the New Testament is far too large for a single class. This lesson provides a brief overview of changes resulting from the intertestamental period for the status of women as well as an examination of key cultural realities for women in the setting where the New Testament stories were lived out and written down. There is a special section that talks about both Jesus' ministry and the work of the Church in Acts and how frequently stories about women are featured alongside male counterpart stories. Jesus was strikingly inclusive of women in his ministry, especially against the backdrop of his peers in leadership.

It is an absurdity to try and cover a topic so large as "Women in the Old Testament" in a single class. However, for the sake of this study, this class is a sweeping overview of women in the Old Testament. We give special attention to the creation of Woman, the Fall, and many harsh realities of women's lives in the cultures represented in the Old Testament.

It is important that we learn how to study and interpret Scripture theologically. This means that we try to take a healthy approach to the entirety of Scripture and particularly what it tells us about God, God's actions, and God's character. Knowing the clear picture of God helps us to discern what we should do with smaller portions of Scripture that are difficult or confusing for us. If we look at all of Scripture, what is the direction it appears to be headed?

An introductory lesson for this study which talks about Biblical interpretation and how it works. We spend some time talking on the three part "Restoration Hermeneutic." Mark suggests some best practices for us as we engage God's word on difficult topics.

Given enough time and opportunities, all human beings let us down, at least sometimes. We are frail, imperfect, and subject to the limitations of flesh, blood, time, and fatigue. But God has no such limitations. He doesn't grow tired or need to sleep. Even nature obeys him. Our God is all-powerful.

God provides. He makes a way where there is no way. He sends the sun and the rains. God knows what we need and makes provisions so that we can flourish, even in harsh circumstances.

God will never abandon us. God is the Shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine to go search for the one who is lost. He is the Father who waits for his child to come home.

We've all had the experience of someone promising to us one thing, then failing to deliver with their actions. But God is trustworthy and reliable, giving us what we need when we need it, and much reason to tell the next generation that "God is faithful."