Woman's Bible Study
In studying
the many aspects of women’s Bible studies, I found I could not avoid the
subject of the role of married women in the Body 
of
Christ; as I studied the Word, it soon became apparent that this role
was the core issue of what I was trying to study.
(See ‘wifely role’ in the helpmate articles section for role of wives.)
Being born and raised in a modern-‘Christian’ home, I attended and viewed many a women’s Bible gathering, retreat, study, etc, and when I came of age, I attended them myself. In every fellowship I visited, with no exceptions, women were encouraged to join a women’s Bible study, or some other form of ‘support group for women’. It was always a fairly straight-forward and seemingly innocent affair: the woman of the house goes weekly to a gathering of other women from the fellowship, we’d sit and talk a little, maybe eat cookies or bundt cake, have coffee then we’d all open our Bibles and take out our pens. The woman teaching would be the wife of an elder or deacon perhaps, someone who’d been placed over the ministry. Once the instruction was over the women would talk a little then disperse to their various dwellings.
On a quick side note, just something I‘ve noticed: the woman leading and teaching would always be in pants and have short hair. It may be a coincidence but in my experience that is what has always occurred.
The Bible says:
"The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4. That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5. To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.." Titus 2:2-5
It is interesting that in verse 4, the Greek word used as ‘teach’ as in ‘teach the young women’ is ‘rhipizo’, which means ‘to breeze up, or by analogy, to agitate into waves, to toss’. (Strong’s Greek concordance) (for Greek definitions of these particular words, go to Greek Meanings)
Another Greek dictionary expands the meaning a little better: "to raise a breeze, put air in motion, whether for the sake of kindling a fire or cooling one's self to blow up a fire to fan, i.e. cool with a fan to toss to and fro, to agitate, of the wind OR of persons whose mind wavers in uncertainty between hope and fear, between doing and not doing a thing."
Also interesting is that this is the only place in the entire Bible where this particular Greek word is used as ‘teach’ or ‘to teach’ or ‘teacheth’; it is significant to this type of service done by older women to help younger wives / mothers or mothers / wives-to- be.
The older women in the early church, meaning women of retirement age (, had copious amounts of time on their hands since their children were grown and married, etc. If they had so a desire to serve God then and He thus led them to serve, then their role as put forth in the Scriptures above was to fan the flame of the Word into the indecisive minds of young wives/mothers, to help them stay strong in obedience as well as to encourage them to keep their homes with excellence.
That does not mean Bible-instruction, though as pertaining to doctrine. Nowhere in the Scriptures, that I can find, is there any reference to solo women teaching other women doctrine. The Scriptures above specifically refer to the older woman instructing the younger to 'love their husbands & children, be discreet, chaste and good keeprs of the home. These are, in themselves, lost arts and shoudl be taught to all young women. I would have loved instruction and advice in these areas when I was young bride.
So... where are wives supposed to get teaching &Instruction?
Of course, in the corporate body as they gather weekly to be taught, as the Scriptures shows many examples of men and women meeting in homes to be taught the Word... BUT as I pointe dout earlier, nowhere does it speak of women gathering together to be taught by a woman.
Paul has an additional solution as well as meeting in the corporate Body, for women who want to be taught the Word of God, and whom have questions about Scriptures, etc.:
"Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.35. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church." 1 Corinthians 14:34&35
That one is pretty self-explanatory, and since this is Scripture we are reading here; let us not give into the lie that this may be merely Paul’s ‘opinion’; nothing is further from the Truth.
Another verse: "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26. That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27. That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 28. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.29. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: 30. For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 31. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband." Eph. 5:25-33
The word ‘nourisheth’ or ‘to nourish’ here is translated as the Greek word ‘ektrepho’, meaning ‘to rear up to maturity, to train, to bring up’.
Also, no other place in the Bible does it use this word for man ‘to nourish’, or nourishes, or nourishing, etc. This is a specific role of the husband for his wife, similar in meaning to how a woman’s rears her children; again, this is not by any means a demeaning thing, but it is a chance for the wife to learn the sacred things of God, as He reveals and teaches it to her husband. It is a huge benefit to wives and brings us up further in readiness to fulfill our duties, and is a chance to reach a new level of Maturity in our mind and souls.
Not only is there a command here for husbands to wash their wives in the Word, but the word Love, used in ‘husbands love your wives’ is the Greek word ‘nitstab’, meaning ‘to establish, to rear up, set up, sharpen, make to stand upright (or steadfastly), put in best state.’
(more word definitions at Greek Meanings page)
According to this, it is the husband’s role to teach His wife the Scriptures. Of course she learns in the corporate Body meetings, but there is a difference there for she is attending with her husband at her side and with her children, if they are blessed with any.
Be sure to gauge the activity you are interested in, whether church related or otherwise, that it does not take you away from your husband and duty, even once a week. I believe the idea of wives needing ‘a break’ from married life once in awhile is completely un-Scriptural, and have yet to find any verses supporting such a notion.
It is no coincidence, in my mind, that women’s Bible studies generally take place at night, or evening time, when the husband is home from work, left alone or with the kids. Even if you’re allowed to take the kids to Bible study, the point is that your own flesh wants to get you away from your husband, so you both can be tempted with your particular weaknesses.
Yes, most couples endure temptation when under the same roof, but in my own experience and failures I’ve learned that truth and the opening of the soul between a man and wife is essential for growth. It is the most difficult thing I have ever had to do, relaying my inner thoughts and private failings to my husband, but I’ve found that he has his own, and by talking of them to each other, we continually strengthen the bond between us.
However, when it comes to women’s meetings, bible studies, retreats, etc. it is not so easy to discuss the Biblical backing for such, as these things are looked upon as a high tradition in most fellowships. In fact, if one as to not go to these women’s things, one is looked down upon as having ‘problems in her walk’ or as being ‘anti-social’, or the most common one: ‘boy, her husband must be a real male chauvinist.’ This is gossip and should not be uttered by true women of Faith.
In light of all these Scriptures and personal convictions, I refrain from going to women’s Bible studies merely for the reasons that I am married and my duty lies at home.
However, I do believe very strongly, that women’s Bible studies are perfect for single women and widows for much needed guidance and accountability.