Foreword

   This book is presented in love to honest seekers
of truth everywhere. These pages present a careful
look at the pros and cons concerning the Scriptural
method for teaching in the public assemblies of the
church. [n short, the book is an examination of the
class method used for teaching in many churches
of Christ. The writer has diligently studied the
subject for 30 years, and has tested each
statement by reading religious discussions and by
personally debating the issue on four occasions.
The first part of the book presents the Scriptural
method the local church is to use for teaching in all
its public gatherings. The last section deals with
some of the many negative arguments brought
against the truth on the matter, and the answers to
the arguments.

   The theme of this section deals primarily with the
Scriptural method the local church is to use for
teaching in all its public gatherings. First, a word
about teaching in general is necessary.
   Every Christian is duty bound to teach God's
word to the fullest of his ability, and as the occasion
demands, or the Scriptures allow. We are not to
understand that every Christian is to be some kind
of public teacher or preacher. All have not the
ability. Neither is everyone allowed to teach
publicly, regardless of his ability.

   The Scriptures are very explicit concerning who
may teach whom. Both men and women may teach
God's Word to anyone. A man may teach a man,
woman, or child.(II Timothy 2:2). Also, Scripturally, a
woman may teach a man, woman or child.
   1) A woman may teach a man God's word: In Acts
18:2, we read concerning Aquila and Priscilla, a
man and his wife. In the 26th verse, we read of how
this man and his wife expounded unto a man,
Apollos, "the way of God more perfectly" (Acts
18:26). Nowhere in God's word does it say a woman
may not "teach over a man." We only read of where
a woman may not "have dominion over a man"
(ASV), or "usurp authority over a man" (KJV) (I
Timothy 2:11-12). Thus, a woman is not violating
the principle of having dominion over a man by
teaching a man God's word. This she may do in the
proper place, and at the proper time, as shown in
Acts 18:26.

2) A woman may teach a woman. In Titus 2:3-5
older women were instructed to "teach the young
women," and were told what to teach.

3) A woman may teach a child. Grandmother Lois
and mother Eunice taught Timothy as a child "the
holy Scriptures" (II Timothy 1:5,3:15).

4) Privately, and as individuals, a woman may teach