1 Corinthians 11:2-16: Never Put Society Above Scripture! / Jeff Struecker

Big Idea: Never put society above Scripture!

1 Corinthians 11:2-16

I. Only your Creator can define your identity.

1 Corinthians 11:2-6

Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold fast to the traditions just as I delivered them to you. But I want you to know that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of the woman, and God is the head of Christ. Every man who prays or prophesies with something on his head dishonors his head. Every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since that is one and the same as having her head shaved. For if a woman doesn’t cover her head, she should have her hair cut off. But if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, let her head be covered.

II. God created the roles of human relationships.

1 Corinthians 11:7-10

A man should not cover his head, because he is the image and glory of God. So too, woman is the glory of man. For man did not come from woman, but woman came from man. Neither was man created for the sake of woman, but woman for the sake of man. This is why a woman should have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.

III. Honor God by honoring one another.

1 Corinthians 11:11-12

In the Lord, however, woman is not independent of man, and man is not independent of woman. For just as woman came from man, so man comes through woman, and all things come from God.

IV. Nature doesn’t set our example, but the God of nature does.

1 Corinthians 11:13-16

Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair it is a disgrace to him, but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her as a covering. If anyone wants to argue about this, we have no other custom, nor do the churches of God.

Next Steps: 

• Believe: I surrender to my Creator today.
• Become: I will surrender my appearance to my King tomorrow. 
• Be Sent: I want people to see that Jesus is worthy of my worship this week.

Discussion Questions: 

1. Did your personal appearance honor Jesus last week? Explain your answer using Scripture. 
2. Do you still follow your parents’ rules for dress in church? Explain.
3. Has anyone pushed their views on gender roles as if they were God’s rules? 
4. How has gender identity affected your community? 
5. How do you distinguish God’s commands from church tradition?
6. Why does it honor God when you honor others before yourself?
7. Pray for the Holy Spirit to be the only voice you listen to this week.