Sunday, July 12, 2026
Uh Oh #8 - Is Male Headship Still a Thing?

WELCOME   (15 minutes)
Ice Breaker: What is the funniest or most chaotic kids’ sports moment you have ever seen or experienced?

WORSHIP (10 minutes)
Use your favorite streaming service & sing, “Yes I Will” by Vertical Worship.

WIN   (15 minutes)
Pray for people you know who don’t know Jesus as their Savior.

WORD   (25 minutes)

1. Read 1 Corinthians 11:2–3. The Corinthians had real freedom in Christ, but they were starting to treat freedom like autonomy: “I can do what I want. I can worship how I want. I can express myself how I want. I don’t need order.” Why does freedom so easily drift into autonomy? “ What is the difference between agreeing with a biblical truth in theory and submitting to biblical teaching in practice?
2. Read 1 Corinthians 11:3 again. “Headship is a weight to bear, not a weapon to wield.” What are some ways headship has been twisted into domination, control, privilege, or getting your own way? What are some ways men can also avoid headship through passivity and call it humility? How does Jesus reshape authority into sacrifice and responsibility?
3. Read1 Corinthians 11:4–6. Paul addresses head coverings, uncovered heads, loose hair, long hair, and shaved heads because those visible choices communicated meaning in Corinthian worship. Why does it matter that our freedom is not only something we believe in our hearts, but something we communicate with our bodies, appearance, and attire? What does mature worship ask besides, “Can I express myself this way?”
4. Read 1 Corinthians 11:7–12. Paul appeals to creation order, but he also assumes women are praying and prophesying in the gathered church and then adds, “Nevertheless,” reminding the church that woman is not independent of man nor man of woman. “Biblical equality doesn’t require uniformity, and unique design doesn’t mean superiority.” Why does our culture often assume equality requires sameness? How does this passage challenge both male superiority and the erasing of God-given distinctions?
5. Read 1 Corinthians 11:13–16. Paul’s point is not a universal haircut chart or that every church in every culture must copy Corinthian head-covering practices. The principle underneath remains: “Grace doesn’t free us from order. Grace frees us into God’s order.” Why do difficult passages reveal whether we trust God’s design is good and not just tolerable? “If we leave this at ‘follow God’s order’ only, we’ll either become rebels or Pharisees.” What is the difference between rejecting God’s order and defending God’s order in a way that looks nothing like Jesus?
6. Where are you most tempted to apply a passage like this to someone else before applying it to yourself? 
7. Where have you used freedom to resist order, or used order to avoid Christlike sacrifice? Finish this sentence: “Jesus, I need to come under Your authority in ________.”

 WORKS (25 minutes)

• Break into smaller groups
• Start with this question: “Jesus, where am I not under You? Pray about one concrete step to bring an area of your freedom under the authority of Christ.
• Pray for any other needs as well