Rolan & Weng Monje

 Proverbs is not a research paper on ‘gender’  It does not explain the differences between men and women.

1. By upholding God’s law 2. By referring to Creation Order 3. By featuring the Noble Man & Noble Woman

 God’s law  foundation for belief  Prov 6.23 For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life [CEV correction and self-control will lead you through life]  Pr 30:5a Every word of God is flawless

 Pr 8:22-23 “The LORD brought me [wisdom = Christ in the NT] forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old; I was appointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began. TPV “bago pa nalikha at naanyo itong mundo” 2. Referring to Creation Order

 Pr 8:29-31 NLT I was there when he set the limits of the seas, so they would not spread beyond their boundaries. And when he marked off the earth’s foundations, I was the architect at his side. I was his constant delight, rejoicing always in his presence. And how happy I was with what he created— his wide world and all the human family! TPV v.31 Ako ay nagdiwang nang daigdig ay matapos, Dahil sa sangkatauhan, ligaya ko ay nalubos

 We see that God stated his intention to create humanity in his own image (Ge 1:26). Immediately Scripture reports that "in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them" (v. 27). 2. Referring to Creation Order

 The noble man (Prov 1-4, first chapters)  The noble woman (Prov 31, last chapter)

 Pr 31 praises the noble wife and provides an insight into the opportunities for women to find personal fulfillment in ancient agrarian society 3. Featuring good examples

 She supervised a staff of workers (v. 27)  She served as buyer for her enterprises (v. 13)  She sold what her staff produced (vv. 18, 24)  She invested her profits (v. 16)  She had the freedom to give to help the needy (v. 20).  She was respected for her wisdom and responsibility (vv , 26-31).  The OT woman's activities were linked closely with her home and family, but she also had her "business" was not at all ‘stereotyped’ and ‘domesticated’. Women were viewed with far greater respect in biblical times than that!

 Personal fulfilment in Proverbs, for both men and women is in line (or agrees with) what is written in the rest of the Bible.  Men and women of any age or background are most fulfilled by having a right relationship with God and are involved with His people (through relationships and using their gifts).

We can mature as a church in dealing with relevant gender issues  Appreciate our uniqueness as Creation  Understand the differences between m & w

 We can all grow in our understanding of the differences between men and women  Awareness  acceptance  change  growth

 Hormones  Brain Physiology  Verbal Fluency  Identity  Reaction to Stress  Anthropological History

GOD

Pr 30:18 “There are three things that are too amazing for me, four that I do not understand: the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship on the high seas, and the way of a man with a maiden.

 The nature of the Church is to welcome all kinds of people from every background.  We come into the church with our unique past, whether we have dealt with it or not.  Only the blood of Jesus is able to cleanse us from our past sin, deal with our issues, and give us hope to live together harmoniously.

Pr 5:15-18 Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well. Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares? Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers. May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. TPV v.4 Kaya nga ba’t mahalin mo ang kabiyak ng iyong buhay, ang ligaya ay lasapin sa mabango niyang kandungan

1. Old Testament references The Sodom incident – Gen The Levitical prohibition – Lev 18.22, The warning against cross-dressing – Dt 22.5 The Gibeah incident – Judg The perverted persons (male temple prostitutes) – 1 Ki 14.24

2. New Testament references  Women and men committing acts against nature – Ro  Practicing homosexuals and sodomites will not inherit the kingdom – 1 Cor  Those who practice homosexuality contrary to sound doctrine – 1 Ti 1.10  Reference to Sodom and Gomorrah, going after 'strange flesh' – Jude 1.7

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 We assert that God's Biblical design for sexual intimacy is to be exclusively reserved between that of a man and woman bound together in marriage. (Genesis 2:18-25; Mark 10:7-8)

 Grace & forgiveness  Confidence  Demeanor and behavior  Openness  Relationships

1. By upholding God’s law 2. By referring to creation order 3. By featuring good examples How Proverbs treats Gender

LET US MATURE AS A CHURCH AS WE REJOICE IN OUR INDIVIDUAL SPECIALNESS IN GOD’S EYES!

Proverbs on Gender Rolan & Weng Monje

 From personal experience, what are some differences between men and women?  What are some ways by which brothers and sisters can live more harmoniously?