Always Abounding - Spring 2020

LADIES’ BIBLE STUDY
DRESS
Recently, I had the
opportunity to speak
at a ladies’ retreat.
The theme was
having a “Melody in
Your Heart.” The Lord
kept impressing upon my heart to speak on
Christian modesty. I couldn’t understand
why. But the more I thought about it,
different examples of ladies came to my
mind who are unhappy, having no “melody
in their hearts,” because they want to be
accepted by the world but don’t fit in.
They don’t fit in at church either because
of their attraction to the world.
After the lesson, I had several pastors’
wives tell me they were so thankful that I
taught on the subject because they have
been afraid to speak on it themselves.
Many told me that they hadn’t heard the
subject spoken on in a very long time.
I believe there is a fear to speak on
this subject. Some fear comes from the
reaction they saw when pastors preached
on the subject without tact or concern
for the women they were preaching to.
There could also be a fear that they will
have women quit the church because of
teaching about this matter.
May I encourage pastors’ wives to
teach on the subject? Ladies thanked me
for teaching them—not yelling at them or
belittling them—but lovingly taking God’s
Word and teaching them. I believe you will
have the same reaction from many ladies
in your church as well.
Here are some lessons that could be
taught to your ladies. Each lesson can be
between 20 to 45 minutes (or expanded if
by Mrs. Becky Damron (‘95)
using the resources). I hope they are a help
to you.
LESSON ONE: Why does modesty need to
be taught? Why should a Christian lady
dress modestly and femininely?
Only one point here: The Bible
commands it. (I Timothy 2:8-10; Titus 2:4-
5; Deuteronomy 22:5; Romans 12:1; II
Corinthians 6:17; I Corinthians 10:31)
LESSON TWO: What are some definitions of
key words in some of the previous verses?
1. Modest (“modest apparel”): decent,
pure, not displaying one’s body, and
behaving according to a standard of what is
proper
2. Chaste: pure in thought and act, not
having any sexual intentions in nature or
appearance
3. Discreet: careful and circumspect in
one’s speech, actions, and appearance,
especially to avoid offense
4. Shamefacedness: extremely modest,
bashful, shy
5. Sobriety: seriousness, solemnity, gravity,
sedateness of manner or appearance
6. Doubting (“without doubting”): fear,
to be afraid of, to feel uncertain about (If
you’re dressing a certain way because you
are afraid of looking different.)
7. Wrath (“without wrath”): violent anger,
anger mixed with disgust (What a lot of
modern clothing portrays!)
8. Broided: braided (We may have long
beautiful hair that is braided to perfection,
but that is not our source of beauty, just as
gold and pearls aren’t either.)
LESSON THREE: What are the inner fleshly
forces that drive women and men?
12 | ALWAYS ABOUNDING