Oddly I feel less qualified to teach now than I did as a younger woman. I have taught Sunday School, VBS, exhorted other women about theology -- I have not only no longer the confidence of having anything truly helpful say but no longer the adrenalyn to say it. The church I felt most a useful part of in was in Mexico, where I couldn't really talk more than basics with the other ladies. Yet I learned about charity from them because of their unaccountable kindness to me in thought and prayers and actions; about joy and selflessness in trials from their behavior; and much about practical help --like oven-fresh homemade bread (it's surprising how happy it makes people) or inviting people over and feeding them and washing up while they encourage each other. I'm sure they didn't set out to teach me these things. But I learned them because they were pursuing godliness in their whole manner of life. The older women are to teach the younger not actually theology (not that I don't think women should be understanding and getting mutually excited about theology: and actually I wonder if younger women often don't have more energy for helping other women get excited in this area and for taking the children and teens etc) but to love their husbands and children: I have realised recently how much of this I have 'unconsciously' learned from godly ladies I have known (on this board and elsewhere). I don't want in the least to denigrate women teaching children, younger women etc in more 'formal' settings, but I am not sure that the exercise of spiritual gifts in women always makes us look or even necessarily feel like we're being used, like we're 'teaching'. Yet I think that in pursuing godliness in the home and daily circumstances we will be used to teach and help and comfort etc., others in the church.

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Heidi
Indianapolis, Indiana

After two days, he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him.
Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.