Cheryl Schatz

RMacD,

You said:  “A man cannot – for a number of reasons – fully disciple a woman.”

I am not 100% sure I know what you mean by this.  A man may have difficulties helping a woman with emotional issues, but in spiritual issues, I do not think there is a spiritual barrier.  If we look at Titus 2 we will see the elder women told to help out with home issues, but no mention is directly made to disciple them spiritually or to teach them the bible.  Does this mean that women should never teach the bible to anyone including women?  This question should only come up if one is already prejudiced to women.  Otherwise why should we think that the handling of God’s words belong to the hands of men alone?

I have had men tell me that they learned more from me than any pastor they had.  No one yet has told me that I failed in some way to mentor them because of my exterior physical parts.  Yet we are told that we cannot say that we do not need others in the body of Christ.  So I should never say that a male is not needed by women disciples or that a woman teacher is not needed by men.  We all need each other and each one has a gift or treasure that we can share with each other.

If I missed your point, I am sorry.  It has been an extremely busy day for me and I am to lead a bible study tomorrow with some unsaved seniors as Canada celebrates Remembrance Day so there is preparation needed.