Are Ladies' Days Authorized By The Scriptures?
A ladies' day generally occurs on the weekend where a Christian female speaker (or a variety of Christian female speakers) comes to speak to a congregation and usually, all the older female Christians (even non-Christians) and younger female Christians (even non-Christians) from the surrounding congregations in that area are invited to attend. There is often a fellowship meal that is set aside for the ladies to eat together generally after the speaking sessions are finished.
Now that we have defined what a ladies' day is, is it authorized by the word of God? Yes.
First, Paul instructed the older women to teach the younger women. Titus 2:1-5 states: “But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.” As part of “sound doctrine”, the older women are instructed to help the younger women to grow in the faith. There are certain topics that are sensitive to females that should only be discussed among females. This would serve as a great opportunity to have a Ladies' Day to help fulfill the command of the older women teaching the younger women.
Second, please consult our question, Does 1 Corinthians 11:5 Prove That Women Can Be In Spiritual Leadership Roles Over Men? in which we discuss the context of 1 Corinthians 11:2-16. This passage does not contradict 1 Corinthians 14:34, 35. It is, therefore, implied that the women were miraculously praying and prophesying in a time and place where the men were not present. Due to the cultural context of their society, they were to cover their heads with veils while praying and prophesying (symbolic of submission). For although the men were not present, respect for the principle of submission to the men as well as the presence of angels were to be taken into consideration (verse 10). Not only are women authorized to gather together and teach one another (Titus 2:3-4), but they are also authorized to come together and worship with one another (without the presence of men, 1 Corinthians 11:2-16). They are not, however, authorized to assume authority over men (for instance, in an assembly or a Bible class of men and women, only the “males” can lead prayer according to 1 Timothy 2:8 and only the men can lead in teaching/preaching according to 1 Timothy 2:12; 3:15). A ladies' day is held in a time and place where the men are not present. A word of caution to the women leading: they should still maintain an attitude of humility and submission and not foster an environment with the younger that might lead to eventually trying to justify assuming authority over the men.
Third, it provides an avenue of speaking the truth in love to one another (Ephesians 4:14-16), encouraging and edify one another in the most holy faith (1 Thessalonians 5:11; Jude 20), stirring up good works (for women to love their husbands, love their children, be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, Hebrews 10:24,25; Titus 2:3-5), teaching women to use their talents wisely in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 25:14-23).
Some are concerned that a Ladies' Day is not authorized because it might leave the false impression that radical feminism is being taught. While that possibly could be the case in some instances (which would be abusing the event), it does not mean that all Ladies' Day events are teaching false doctrine. If it is conducted correctly in accordance to the Scriptures, then a Ladies' Day will help a woman see and discern the role that God gave her and she will conduct herself in such a manner to fulfill that role to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 11:2-16; 1 Corinthians 14:34,35; 1 Peter 3:1-7; Titus 2:1-5; 1 Timothy 2:8-15).
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