Ladies Classes

Woman to Woman

Thoughts on Ladies Classes

by Elizabeth Roberts

In recent years, I have had the privilege to participate in classes for women in several locations and congregations. On four such occasions ladies have asked me to recommend teaching material that could be used to facilitate studies of God’s word in classes designed for and by women. Each of these inquires came from a woman concerned because she had encountered Christian women who wanted to use class materials written by popular author, Beth Moore. Like most material written by popular Evangelicals, Moore’s material often includes encouraging positive suggestions, but it is also laced with unscriptural doctrinal teaching—including Calvinistic assumptions and a total disrespect for the plan of salvation.

I understand the challenge to find class material that is well written and thoughtfully approaches biblical texts. Unfortunately, Christian women have not written a great deal and much that has been written is not widely distributed. Even so, the answer is surely not in using misleading literature that may endanger the weak and mislead those who visit our studies and leave with mistaken views of the teachings of the Scriptures.   

Are We Serious About Scripture?

I am writing not so much to critique the writings of one author; rather I want to encourage women to engage in serious discussions of the Scriptures in their classes and to always be wary of materials that are laden with unsound teaching.  That is nothing less than the warning issued by Paul in his letter to the saints in Galatia (1:8-12):

“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Concerns About Who Is Teaching

Of course, most of us read materials written by denominational writers that are often laced with useful information. Christians have read the commentaries of men such as Adam Clarke and Albert Barnes for years. But such study is generally done by those quite familiar with the doctrinal errors likely to be encountered there. 

We should think carefully before inviting those who both overtly and covertly teach error to shape the minds of those we love. Would we invite such a person to teach a class in our congregation? It would probably be less dangerous to ask such a person to teach one class than to encourage our young Christian women and visitors to take the material home to read over without someone to guide them through the dangers. In many cases, the use of such material inevitably leaves the conclusion that we are in agreement with everything taught by the author.  Like it or not, the classroom material we provide is taken by many people as a seal of approval. 

Our ultimate quest is to know God, to “draw near to God” so that he will draw near to us “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double minded” (James 4:8). That is to be accomplished by an earnest and sincere consideration of His word.

My Greatest Fear

I fear that the purifying of our minds has become tedious and humdrum through the years and that we are no longer thrilled by the words that can transform lives. Our ladies classes can become “soulful insights” into the modern world, or “pep talks” and “counseling sessions” based on the latest “pop culture” ideas. Modern self-help guides and materials give shallow advice that replaces the words the Holy Spirit has so graciously provided us. We must never forget what we have in the “material” that God Himself has provided us. We must never leave the impression on young ladies that it is not enough to hunger and thirst after the words that provide a portion of wisdom and knowledge that those in the world do not understand. These are the words that our lives are hinged on. 

My point is simple. Certainly and surely, we should be willing to stand for hours to know and soak up the knowledge of our Lord, as the remnant of Israel did in Nehemiah 9: 2-3—“And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers. And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the LORD their God one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped the LORD their God.” Separating ourselves from those who do not know and teach the “law of the Lord,” those who are not obedient members of the body of Christ, remains an important mark of the children of God.

Christian women must be true and thorough students of the Word. Let us relish the thought that we can be wise; let us know the treasure that we have been given. We must hate every false way and cherish what God has given to guide our lives. It has never been a safe thing for God’s people when they came to be led by “strangers.” 

Hear the words of Psalms 119: 127-131:

“Therefore I love your commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.

Therefore I esteem all your precepts concerning all things to be right;

and I hate every false way. Your testimonies are wonderful: therefore my

soul will keep them. The entrance of your words gives light; it gives

understanding unto the simple. I opened my mouth, and panted:

for I longed for your commandments.”

Vienna, VA
elizabeth.Roberts@hq.dodea.edu