Ladies Bible Class Today : What Does the Bible Mean by the Word "Sober"?

Reading the Letter

by P. Kraemer 

Thursday is still here for a few more hours, so before too many of the details slip my mind, I would like to share the Ladies Bible Study that we participated in today.

While we normally pick up where we left off in our Bible reading, and discuss what we read, I have, for the last month, been presenting word-study topics. One was on "refinement: and another on "discretion."  Today, we had a wonderful search through the scriptures on the meaning of the word "sober" which is often found in the Bible.  

Arriving Home

by Newell Wyeth

While most moderns would automatically define the word sober as "not drunk,"  the Bible uses it to mean something of a spiritual nature.

Of course, we already kmow from our studies that a Christian should not drink "strong drink" (alcohol) and should always be sober in that respect. 

  Because of the modern expression "sober," as in "I guess he's sober today," meaning, "not drinking alcohol",  it is important to understand exactly what the Bible means by the word.  While it applies to everyone, and also to the problem of drinking,  the ladies Bible class today discussed sobriety as it relates to the conduct of Christian women.

“Sober” is translated from the Greek word that means to be sober, calm and collected, to have good sense, good judgement, wisdom, and level-headed in times of stress.

We can use the modern comparison between drunkenness and sobriety, as an example.

A drunken person does not have good judgement, is often angry, is not alert, paying attention only to personal desires, regardless of consequences to others.

Older women are to practice a pure and holy life, "...that they may teach the young women to be sober..." Titus 2:4

To be sober in this context means to be serious-minded.  Without ever having touched a drop of liquor or "spirits" as it once was called, a woman can still lack the qualities of refinement, discretion and serious-mindedness.  When these characteristics are lacking, a woman can seem silly, giddy, mocking, and cynical, which are often the same characteristics as someone who is under the influence of alcohol.

Pensive Thoughts

by Sydney Muschamp

Sobriety means to be intelligent, understanding and considerate.  If a woman is under the influence of the world's silly talk or impure conversation, she lacks sobriety. 

Guarding one's thoughts is also part of being sober. Avoid innuendos and suggestive remarks which lead the minds of others to think of things that are "done in the dark." (Ephesians 5)  Avoid filthy, coarse jesting and foolish talking.

Now that we have some awareness of what a sober woman is, should we act as though we are sour and depressed and overly serious?  I think that would defeat our purpose of drawing people to Christ. The Word of God emphasizes that a God's people should be happy, but true happiness comes from living in compliance with God's Will. 

Is it really necessary to be so particular about the way we think, speak and act?  I think it is, because of the impression that it makes on other people concerning Christ.  There is a poem that describes why a Christian's behavior is so important. Think of it in terms of a Christian woman:

There's a Gospel according to Matthew; To Mark;

To Luke; and John too.

There's another gospel that many are reading...

The Gospel according to You.

All teachings we find in the Bible

Are facts we know to be true;

You must live them to make them the Gospel...

The Gospel according to You

Many read not the words of the Bible;

I will tell you what some of them do...

They are reading the book you are writing...

The Gospel according to you.

There's Great Power In Gospel Preaching

The Bible teaches that this is true.

But the sermon most likely to influence others

Is The Gospel according to You.

God help us to be faithful to Jesus...

To live all His teachings so true,

So that all may see His Spirit

In the Gospel according to You.

You are writing a gospel, a chapter each day;

By things that you do; By things you say.

Others read that gospel, whether faithless or true!

Say! What is the Gospel According To You?

,

Leroy Brownlow

A sober, or serious-minded woman, will always be aware that her life has in influence for good or ill, on others, and if bad, can bring reproach upon her family and the church.  If good, it can bring others closer to the kingdom. If a woman is serious-minded, she will be more able to be a keeper at home and guide her children spiritual and physically. A sober woman will be alert to the affect of her actions and words on her own future and that of her family. Being naïve or simple-minded, or having thought-habits that tend toward the risqué, can become a danger to her and her family in many ways.  There is a reason that the word "sober" in reference to serious-mindedness, is used so many times in the Bible.

Added 2019:

Today's alcohol is fortified with an ingredient that makes it more powerful, and it is especially harmful to women. It does no harm to stay completely away from it. There are many articles available now showing the harm that alcohol is doing to women. In order to be sober, it is not wise to take even one drink.

The point is, we should not speak as those who are under another influence, without self-control. "Telling all" is not always appropriate or edifying, depending on the company.  A close personal friend may be the recipient of all honesty, but such talk will not always be advisable in some groups.

Please research for yourself here and other places:

41 Bible Verses About Drinking

75 Bible Verses on Drinking

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Discretion

Woman Reading

by  Ricardo Lopez Carera, Spanish, 1866-1950

There is a great post on the blog, Adventures in Keeping House about discretion.  I am going to be discussing this subject in light of the New Testament in the Ladies Bible Class tomorrow. The author of the blog  has provided a definition of the word "discretion" and explained it at length in that post.

The discretion issue is something that is of prime concern for many people because it is like an endangered species; it is fading from practice. Discretion is a worthy and useful quality of the personality for everyone, but I would like to address the problem of women and discretion.

Proverbs 11:22 states that a woman without discretion is like a ring of gold in a swine's snout. (Put your finger over the verse citation and the verse will pop out.)  This means that some things will just not cover up bad manners. A woman can be properly dressed, have the latest hairstyles and her nails all polished, but if her speech is not polished and she says every crude or shocking thing that comes to her mind, it is just like dressing up a pig in jewels.

Discretion shall preserve thee; understanding shall keep thee. - Proverbs 2:ll

Woman in Pink Dress by Roberts

from the Australian National Archive

Discretion shall "keep" you means that if you acquire it, you'll be protected. In the prevailing culture around us, it is considered healthy to express things that would have gotten you a sound punch in the nose, back in the day, or "way back when."  Now everyone must be so honest that they speak things that are personal, even about bodily functions, that even 50 years ago was so unacceptable that if spoken, could cause the loss of a job, the loss of social acceptance or, in some cases, the loss of a fiance'.

The acquirement of discretion  should begin when a girl is young, but if her character training has been neglected, she may still, with determination and honesty, learn how to be discreet.

You can almost see the word "secret" in "discretion" and guess at its meaning: it is a quality of being quiet about some things that are not appropriate to speak of.  Lack of discretion is to cast all caution aside and speak of things that are offensive or are not appropriate for young ears, or that may be of a sensitive nature towards those who are suffering, or who would be embarrassed.

Ramparts

by Perugini

For some, just looking back at the previous century and the people's sense of decency will make them realize that we are slipping too far. Without any knowledge of past polite customs however, we still have the guidance of  the Bible on the subject of courtesy and propriety, good taste and upright behavior.

 There are some people who object to manners being taught because they think they are stiff, formal rules, but the Bible says to be courteous and tenderhearted and loving. I Peter 3:8

At the Garden Gate

by William Affleck

 Things that show lack of discretion are:

1. Subjecting others to embarrassment by not covering yourself appropriately, exposing too much: dressing immodestly.

2. Asking too many questions of a personal, or even impersonal nature, that keeps another person on the hot-seat trying to get the answers.  Questioning is not always healthy, and can make another person feel very burdened.  Questioning can become like cross-examination and make another person feel he is being put on trial. This is a type of impertinence.

3. Impertinence: This means to go beyond the limits by being pushy, demanding, or improperly forward. Forward is a word not used as much as it used to be. It was considered forward if a girl asked a boy for a date. It was considered forward if someone asked if they could come to your house for dinner or to ask for a gift.  It was proper to wait and be asked.

The Young Gardener

by George Leslie Dunlop

4. Impishness: Annoyingly playful, thinking you are cute, while saying things that put others on the spot, or that are witty and even base, and can be perceived as naughty and trouble making.

5. Impudence: The 1828 dictionary describes impudence as: not attentive to the consequences of words or actions; rash; heedless. The imprudent man often laments his mistakes, and then repeats them. Other dictionaries describe it as  a brash and brazen way of speaking and acting towards others. This is similar to pushy, arrogant behavior, as well as thinking you are awfully cute while you are doing it.

6. There may be a word for this, but I cannot think of it: the habit of making hasty, sharp replies. This can be perceived as a sudden rush to judgment of a matter before you have fully taken everything into consideration.

7. Imposing:  To lay a burden on, to obtrude (push) fallaciously (expecting something from someone, deceitful, misleading.)  Imposing today means to push your self on someone or take over something they are doing, or try to be the center of attention.

Training in discretion takes place best from childhood, but a habit can be broken, once the heart is penitent, the mind is teachable, and the soul is yearning for God.

To gain the quality of discretion, do a word-study of discretion from the Bible and write about your understanding of it in a notebook or journal.

Eugene de Blass

Acquire instead:

Innocence: Purity of heart, blamelessness, not guilty.  These words carry significance because the secret to being and looking innocent is to be blameless and free from sin.  To acquire innocence even after you have lost it, you can apply yourself to living in a pure way. In speech, do not use innuendos, tell off-color stories, or make teasing remarks that refer to bodily functions or private acts.  Living an innocent life will require removing things from your life that cause you to stumble spiritually, and things that pollute your mind and take you away from the joy of the Lord.

Afternoon Tea

by George Dunlop Leslie

Composure: When a person learns to live an innocent life, free from cynicism and suspicion, there will be a change in their composure. Composure is  similar to countenance, which the Bible speaks of. In Genesis, God warned Cain that if he would conquer his temper, his countenance would be lifted. Countenance refers to the expression on the face, including the look of the eyes, the smile, the set of the jaw. It can either be hardened or it can be sweet and innocent. Composure is effected by the way we think and live, so if you want a good composure, practice living innocently.  Think of the word "pose" when you think of composure, and it will help you understand how to be at ease around other people without being too casual.  Composure is closely connected to discretion. A discreet woman will be cautious about decisions and words and other things.

Leslie

by George Dunlop Leslie

To practice discretion and courtesy, avoid the "so-what-is-it-like" questions, as in the following:

So, what is it like to have a miscarriage?

So, what is it like to lose your house in bankruptsy?

So, what is it like to recover from_______?

So, what is it like since your son/daughter left home?

So, what is it like to be married to a man so much older than you?

So, what is it like to be a homemaker and not get a paycheck?

So, when are you going to retire?

So, what is it like, being a widow?

There are hundreds of these kinds of questions, which can be offensive to some people. You may think that asking what it is like to be retired is innocent, but it is better to allow people to voluntarily introduce the subject themselves, when it concerns them, rather than bring it up.

Why be discreet?

The Word of God impresses us that we must.

It protects the reputation of your family.

It protects the reputation of the local church to which you belong.

It protects the reputation of the church, worldwide.

It protects your children from growing up with a stigma upon them.

It protects your own credibilty and the trust others put in you.

It gives you dignity and preserves your reputation.

It protects the reputation of your children in the future.

As Proverbs says, discretion will "keep" (preserve, guard) you.

A discreet woman strives to be careful with her questions so that they do not make the other person feel uncomfortable or feel that their privacy is invaded.

In previous centuries during times of political danger, there was a saying: Loose lips sink ships.

This saying might be used to explain discretion more accurately. Sometimes we need to keep things to ourselves. Do not tell people where you keep your valuables, or even how much something is worth that you own, if it has a lot of value.  Information that gets to the wrong ears can be used as a temptation against you. You may tell a friend, but think of that friend telling someone else, and you will see how it could damage you.

Telling everything you know about the location of a ship during war, can cause the ship to be sunk when the enemy gets a hold of the information.

Another example that will help clear up any misunderstanding about discretion, is the one where a young couple wants to buy a house. They confide in friends that they are wanting to buy this house but have not made up their minds yet. They like the house and they like the price and really think it is a bargain, and express that they can't believe what a great opportunity it is to buy it. Behind their backs, the friends they confided in, buy the house, "right out from under them."

Young people need to be careful not to divulge to friends about their father's place of employment, the amount of money he makes or his status or his personal history.  Parents are very sensitive about the things their children say about them, and every child should be taught to be discreet.

Weekly Ladies Tea and Bible Study

Study of a Girl Reading

by Valentine Cameron Prinsep, English 1838-1904,  

Here is a sample of a Ladies Bible Study class, which several readers of this blog have requested.  I do not use a lesson plan, but maybe you can get a idea of how this class is conducted, by my description here. I may, however, read the chapter on the previous evening to get an idea of some some of the discussion that it might inspire, looking for key verses that have become familiar. 

 Although other ladies host it in their homes, this morning  it will be held in my home. 

It was foggy outside but we soon forgot the gloom as we settled down inside for our weekly study. Someone will choose a song so that we can begin the morning with a beautiful blending of voices. Today we sang "God is the Fountain Whence."  It is an old song that has some lovely word phrases and poetry.

Here is a copy of the sheet music for you, and you can click it to make it easier to read.

The shaped notes in this piece are a style  invented a long time ago for people who did not read music, to help them identify the sound of the note.  Shaped note songs were published in a book in the 1800's called  "The Sacred Harp," and singers sang the names of the notes before they actually sang the words of the songs, to get everyone in harmony.  You can learn more about Sacred Harp singing by listening to this video.  

We know these songs by heart and so we do not need to pay much attention to the notes, and we have our own way of singing, which we like.  Most people in our group learn to sing by sitting next to someone who knows the songs, and of course, they all sing casually at home as they go about their day.

I usually select a lady who will greet guests at the door and hang up their coats before they choose a favorite comfortable place to sit.  The class includes grandmothers, young mothers, teen aged girls and children, with small chairs for the little ones so that they can quietly color or draw during the class.

Today we read the verses in the book of Galations, chapter 1, which can be seen at the end of this post. In these studies, we take turn reading the verses until we have completed each chapter, keeping an eye open for something of interest they want to discuss. Each person gets a chance to make an observation, ask a question, or make a comment about something they found interesting in the chapter. Each person is urged to apply the text to something in life today, and to appreciate the purpose for which it was written at the time.  I usually read a little historical background to the chapter. There are always a lot of interesting comments, but it would be impossible to relate them all here or to tell every detail of the conversation that ensued after the reading of the chapter. 

Over the years we have always chosen a book of the Bible to read, and each week, mulled over one chapter of that book. When we have finished that book, I always ask what book they want to study next, and let them choose one they are curious about that they think they might enjoy. This class was begun 47 years ago by the woman who owned this house, and each younger generation has kept it going.

Years ago I abandoned the use of typewritten worksheets or study guides or workbooks. It was expensive and hard to determine how many copies to make. If you do type out a study guide with questions, my advice is to wait til you see how many people are in the class each week before you make copies for them. These days most people have copy machines in their homes and can be more economical about how many pieces of paper to use.  Workbooks are often wasted if the student forgets to bring it, loses it, or is absent from the class.  Composing study sheets can be a burden on the teacher, when the study sheet is already there in the Bible.

  Without all that paper or workbooks, things are so much easier, because the teacher just has to remember what the next chapter is and can pick up where they left off the week before. Students do not have to be embarrassed if they lost their study sheet or if they didn't do their "homework." This way, we learn as we go, right then and there in the class.

You might wonder why someone would choose to study Galations for a ladies Bible class, which is a class that concerns the lives of women in the Lord's church.  While we have studied the "women's chapters" of Titus 2 and Proverbs 31, I believe that it is important for women to know what is in the rest of the Bible, so they can guide their families into wise living and learn to have peaceful homes. 

 The book of Galations addresses  the problem of being easily diverted from the sound teaching of the gospel. It was addressed to those who had already been added to the Lord's church  (the ecclesia, the called-out) by obeying the gospel of Christ, but had strayed from the truth, being persuaded to leave it and go back to their old religion. 

 It is a warning about how false teachers will stealthily steal the hearts of Christians and persuade them to believe false doctrines that the Bible does not teach, and how to be wary of them. It warns about listening to people who say that angels visited them and told them a different doctrine.  Wives, mothers and daughters need to know these things so that their family members have spiritual and emotional stability and are not easily attracted to teachings that will take them away from the pure word of God. So, that is why we are studying the book of Galations this next month. It is important to know what is in this book in order to be aware of false teachers who claim that the law of Christ is not spiritually binding today.

 After singing another hymn we adjourn to the dining area. This is what it looked like today as I was getting out the cups and saucers.

The Prairie Rose tea set, reserved for such a time as this 

and the pot of tea was covered with a tea cozy made by a friend, who also made the matching tea-themed table cloth quilt. 

There are several advantages to having a weekly or monthly Bible study time with women:

1. It helps us to sit still without distractions, and read a chapter.

2. We have some time to show hospitality to one another that we might not get around to doing if we did not have it scheduled.

3. The hostess prepares her house.

4. The guests get a break from their own duties at home for an hour or so, and they can bring their children with them.

5. In these classes, there is never a discouraging word.

Occasionally we welcome a video guest on the computer, via Skype, who also takes a turn in reading or commenting.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As each verse is read, think about a question or comment you might make.

Galations

Chapter 1

---

1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)

2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:

3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,

4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.

12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:

14 And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.

15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,

16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:

17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.

18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abodewith him fifteen days.

19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.

20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.

21 Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia;

22 And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:

23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.

24 And they glorified God in me.