A study on the word deaconess

 

1)      In the New Testament we have qualifications or information for:

2)      _____________________________________________________________________________.

3)      There are no qualifications for “deaconesses.”

4)      The only possible verses that deal with this topic are Rom. 16. 16:1 and 1 Tim. 3:11.

5)      There is no feminine form for the word “deacon” (the term is always masculine).

6)      What is a female minister called?  ____________.  She is not a ___________________.

7)      In the religious world a female pastor is not called a ________________________.

8)      Is a “nurse” a male or a female?  _________________.  Such would also be true with deacons.

9)      Thus, why would Paul list “qualifications for female deacons” in 1 Tim. 3:11?  ____________.

10)  There are sources that indicate “deaconesses” did not come about till the 3rd century.

11)  1 Cor. 4:6; 2 Jn. 9-11.

12)  1 Tim. 3:11 is likely a reference to the wives of elders and deacons.

13)  Ways a wife helps a deacon or elder:  ___________________________________________.

14)  “She-elders” and “she-deacons” - ________________________________________________.

15)  In the case of Phoebe (Rom. 16), she was a servant (diakonos).

16)  This is the same term used in  Rom. 13:4 and Gal. 2:17.

17)  If there is a formal counterpart to deacons, why not elders?  ___________________________.

18)  There other questions people many have not stopped to consider.

19)  Would a deaconesses be married?  Would she need to have children?

20)  Would a deacon’s wife automatically be a deaconesses? 

21)  Could a deaconesses be married to an “ordinary Christian”?

22)  Many seem to think they cannot be a servant unless they have some type of title.

23)  Others do not feel like servants unless they “get to do what others do.”

24)  Here is an area where older women can do a great job teaching younger women.  Tit. 2:4-5.

25)  1 Cor. 6:12 – how would this verse apply?

26)  __________________________________________________________________________.

27)  Consider also the emphasis from 1 Tim. 2:8-15 – READ.

28)  Many have overlooked Acts 6:1-3 – “men” were selected to help “women.”

29)  A deaconess is a Lutheran woman, formed in community, educated in Lutheran theology,

30)  consecrated to serve people in church and society.