Fundamentalist Christians: What is the point of segregating the congregation by gender?

Question

just to have bible studies??

"honey": I suggest you shut that trap of yours as you have no clue who I am or what I have experienced. This question comes DIRECTLY from EXPERIENCE when I WAS attending church way back in the day---back before people like YOU made me give it all up. Congratulations on a job well done for your God.

Worshipful Heart: Well that makes some sense, but what of those women who don't have "typical" issues--what of the single, childless women, or women with careers? I'm assuming they would feel alienated.

Answer 1

in our church we have cell groups that couples attend together, we study the Bible, talk about family and couple issues, everyday life issues, etc.
We also have seperate men's and women's study groups. The women's group will study the things in the Bible that specifically pertain to women- we pray for and encourage each other regarding areas of child rearing, challenges in the home, being a wife , etc. The same with men- they get together and pray for and encourage each other regarding being a father and husband. They are accountable to one another in areas of struggle and as with the women build strong friendships to encourage each other in their walk with the Lord


***Added note- I did fail to note that those are issues addressed in Women's groups too- for the men also- I focused on married couples because well, I am married and it seemed to me the question was focused there- (separating a married couple for teaching)
Womens groups minister to the single moms, the single women,
etc. there are just things that are easier for women to talk to other women about that you might not feel ocmfortable discussing in mixed company- then you see other women go through it too, whatever the case may be and you encourage each other in dealing with it in a christlike manner - the same goes for men. But this is not to the exclusion of anyone based on their stage or status in life. Often times you will have womens ministry groups that come together and then there are groups that meet separately grouping women according to a specific purpose for teaching and encouragement- for example in our church- the women meet weekly, then bi weekly some of those women will meet in a MOPS group (mothers of preschoolers, some will meet in a singles group, some homeschool moms, etc according to what they have in common that we can encourage each other in that specific area. I know I kind of rambled but I hope that you understand what I am trying to say

Answer 2

I am not a fundamentalist Christian but from the Orthodox Jew perspective that makes perfect sence.
First of all Jews try and keep the contact between the sexs to a minimum unless one is looking for a spouce. (I have heard about a school that would expell students if they are found hanging around guys.)
Second of all looking at things that will bring up certian thoughts should be avoided (The talmud goes as far to say things like clothes on a wall [but in areas like Maya Sharim where the Charadi Jews live they do have maniquins with womans clothes hanging out the window which seems worse than hanging on a wall] or animals procreating are things to avoid looking at.) So to cheapen the environment of learning by putting yourself in an environment where you possibly would think about things like that is not preferable.
Lastly (I know this won't apply to christians) women learn different things then men (the laws reguarding the menstrual cycle and other laws that are more applicable).

Answer 3

As a Christian, I wonder this myself, but tradition generally outrules biblical teachings.

I know great God loving churches that still separate married couples when it comes to sunday school and bible study.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with single mens or womens bible studies, but the bible states that married couples are one flesh, and we seem to forget that even inside our own God loving churches.

The world separates married couples, telling them they are independant of each other and so on, I sure wish our churches would stop following the worlds example.

Answer 4

Actually we segregate based on shoe size and the gender thing is a by product. Sometimes we have a little man with the women or a big girl with them men.

Answer 5

To keep down the distractions and not be lead into temptation? Opps but that wouldn't work for those who believe in Adam and Steve instead of Adam and Eve.

Answer 6

I'm a fundamentalist and I have never ever seen or heard of this being done ...maybe you got it mixed up with Muslims....because you don't have a clue when it comes to the other

Answer 7

Men and women usually have different challenges in their faith.

Answer 8

Go to a different church

Answer 9

Women are smarter than men and won't get distracted.

Answer 10

because the men are superior and have a better understanding of the Holy Bible, the ultimate truth