Headship in the Church

Headship is a biblical concept that has popularly been reduced to the simplistic idea that men are ranked higher than women. Biblically, that is mistaken. Headship has to do with everything from the doctrine of the Trinity, to the founding of the Church, to the culmination of world history. Headship is so relevant that it literally reveals the meaning of life. Headship speaks to manhood, womanhood, marriage, singleness, racism, DEI, and LGBTQ. That is why it is important for everyday believers—not just theologians—to grasp what headship is. Headship is perhaps the most undeveloped doctrine in evangelicalism. In this important study, we explore the concept of biblical headship as an overarching framework for Christianity.

Every week of the month participants will be resourced with more theological content and practical wisdom for living as a disciple. Each session lasts a hundred minutes. Worksheets and short readings are provided week to week. Discussion time will be guided, so as to keep the subject on point. Participants are encouraged to use the Chat feature on Zoom for sidebar comments. Always bring your Bible and prepare to take good notes. For those who desire to do assignments and earn credits for their learning, that option is available through Right On Mission Tutorial Services.

This study is designed to help you get on mission and stay on course by:

What it means to think theologically;
A fresh framework for understanding Christianity
How headship distinguishes Christianity from world religions;
A sweeping view of history that reveals the meaning of life;
The sanctity of marriage;
A visual that sheds light on the social dynamics of human sexuality;
A biblical perspective on social sins such as racism;
The basis for a theology of relationships;
An introduction to Christology, anthropology, and ecclesiology.

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JANUARY - COMPLIMENTARY SESSION

Dates & Times =

Tuesday, January 20 at 4:00 - 5:30 pm PST
Thursday, January 22 at 6:00 - 7:30 pm PST
Monday, January 26 at 3:45 - 5:15 pm PST
Thursday, January 29 at 10:45 am - 12:15 pm PST

This introductory session is offered without charge. In this 90-minute discussion, we will review the syllabi for three upcoming studies, listen to each others’ initial response to the breadth of material being covered, then review what it means to think theologically about headship, self-respect, and the elegance of God. NOTE: Engaging in these studies requires us to commit to the authority of Scripture, the objectivity of truth, careful definition of terms, and a coherent theological framework.

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FEBRUARY

Dates = Tuesday, February 3, 10, 17, 24

Time = 2:30 - 4:10 pm PST

Cost = Without Subscription: $150/mo | Subscription: $99.99/mo (Gold) or $149/mo (Platinum)

What is headship? What does the English word head mean in Scripture? According to the apostle Paul in I Corinthians 11:3, God is Head, the husband is head, and Christ is “The Head.” The husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church (Ephesians 5:23). How is the husband’s headship like the headship of Christ? How does headship touch the angelic realm? Why the apostle Paul say that women are to keep their heads covered “because of the angels”?

MARCH

Dates = Tuesday, March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

Time = 2:30 - 4:10 pm PST

Cost = Without Subscription: $150/mo | Subscription: $99.99/mo (Gold) or $149/mo (Platinum)

How does the doctrine of headship distinguish Christianity from Hinduism? How does the doctrine of headship set Christianity apart from Islam? Can we derive from headship a theology of authority? Is authority necessarily male? How much authority does Scripture allot to women in the church? Are women viable witnesses in church tribunals? Can a woman serve as a judge in a church tribunal? How much authority does every Christian have in spiritual warfare? How much authority does a Christian need in order to effectively make disciples?

APRIL

Dates = Tuesday, April 7, 14, 21, 28

Time = 2:30 - 4:10 pm PST

Cost = Without Subscription: $150/mo | Subscription: $99.99/mo (Gold) or $149/mo (Platinum)

Is the church an institution? A business entity? What is the Church? Is the Church the image of God? Colossians 1:18 says, “Christ is the Image of God.” Being that the Church is Christ’s Body, does that make it the image of God as well? If not, why not? What does it mean to be the Body of Christ? How can it be, at once, that the Church is the Body of Christ, and that the bread in the Lord’s Supper is also the Body of Christ? How might taking communion properly and worshipfully enhance the church’s sense of Christ’s headship?

MAY

Dates = Tuesday, May 5, 12, 19, 26

Time = 2:30 - 4:10 pm PST

Cost = Without Subscription: $150/mo | Subscription: $99.99/mo (Gold) or $149/mo (Platinum)

When people don’t know who they are, every disagreement feels like hate. Many professing Christians are almost volatile in their demeanor whenever they encounter a contrary point of view. Headship anchors Christians, rooting them in Christ and grounding them in belongingness in Christ’s Body. In other words, headship gives believers a true sense of identity, not just individually, but also corporately. What does it mean to live with your identity in Christ? Can any individual survive apart from headship? What is lost when believers treat their faith as a private relationship with Christ, rather than a shared life within the Body of the Church?