Discover divine community in creation, gender dynamics, and redemptive equality.
4 Video Lessons
Watch, listen, and learn as Gilbert Bilezikian shows you how to bring about community, gender equality in biblical relationships.
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Course Preview
Community and Gender
Brad Andrews sits down with Dr. Berin Gilfillan to discuss this four-part series by Gilbert Bilezikian.
Overview
Gilbert Bilezikian leads an insightful exploration of Community and Gender dynamics through a biblical lens. The sessions unravel the divine community portrayed in Genesis, showcasing the intricate relationship within the Trinity and challenging stereotypes about women. The historical narrative traces God’s redemptive plan, emphasizing the restoration of oneness in the Church. Biblical roles of women are examined, rejecting hierarchy and promoting equality. The model of relationships within the Christian community is explored, advocating for mutual servanthood, humility, and shared responsibility.
What You’ll Learn
- Understand the profound concept of divine community through Genesis 1:1-3.
- Challenge misconceptions about the roles of women and recognize their integral role in the divine image.
- Explore the historical unfolding of God’s redemptive plan and the significance of returning to scriptural foundations.
- Reject hierarchical structures in the Church, embracing equality and shared leadership.
- Examine biblical roles of women, transcending gender differences within the community.
- Prioritize mutual servanthood, humility, and shared responsibility in relationships within the Christian community.
Sessions
1. Community in Creation
In this enlightening session by Gilbert Bilezikian, participants explore the profound concept of community within the framework of creation and gender dynamics. Delving into Genesis 1:1-3, the session unveils the intricate relationship between God the Father, the Holy Spirit, and God the Son, illustrating the divine community and plurality in oneness bound by love. Emphasizing that genuine love seeks outward expression, Bilezikian challenges misconceptions about the role of women, asserting that women, created as rescuers and helpers, are integral to the divine image of plurality. The session concludes by highlighting God’s desire for the expansion of community, aligning with the mandates of Genesis 1:28, and addressing the impact of sin on the original design of harmonious oneness.
2. God’s Intent through History
In this illuminating session led by Gilbert Bilezikian, participants explore the historical unfolding of God’s redemptive plan, with a focus on restoring the community of oneness outlined in Scripture. Bilezikian highlights the displacement of oneness by hierarchical structures in the Church, urging a return to the scriptural foundation. Emphasizing the significance of relying on Scriptures for teaching, he traces deviations from the doctrine of salvation throughout history. The narrative unfolds from Abraham’s call to establish a redemptive community, addressing challenges faced by the Israelites. Bilezikian underscores the cross’s profound meaning, symbolizing vertical reconciliation with God and horizontal reconciliation among humanity. Believers are urged to recognize and operate in both dimensions, fostering a genuine community of oneness.
3. The Cross and Community
This session emphasizes the biblical roles of women in the Church and families, rejecting hierarchical structures. Rooted in Galatians 3:28, it underscores equality in Christ, transcending gender differences within the community of oneness. Examining Matthew 19, it challenges the traditional view of divorce, aligning behavior with God’s original intent for oneness. Jesus’ teachings on servanthood, illustrated through a child’s humility, stress self-denial and shared leadership. Addressing the disciples’ struggle with worldly power, Jesus reiterates the cross’s centrality, emphasizing mutual submission. The session concludes by urging believers to prioritize servanthood, transforming churches and families through mutual acceptance and shared responsibility.
4. Relationships in Community
This session delves into the Biblical model of relationships within the Christian community, particularly addressing the dynamics between men and women. Rooted in Philippians 2, it emphasizes the call to mutual servanthood, urging believers to operate in oneness without losing individual identity. The teaching underscores the importance of humility, selflessness, and prioritizing the interests of others. Drawing parallels between Christ’s sacrificial love for the Church and husbands’ role, it challenges men to move from rulership to sacrificial love. The session rejects hierarchy born of sin, promoting oneness and mutual submission. It concludes by urging believers to live in a way that reflects the transformative reality of Christian community.
Quick Facts
Langauges
English, French
Level
Intermediate
Credits
1.52 credit units
No. of Sessions
4 Sessions
Running Time
2 hour 12 minutes
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About the Instructor
Gilbert Bilezikian
Gilbert Bilezikian is an American Evangelical Christian writer, professor, and co-founder of Willow Creek Community Church, along with Bill Hybels.
Born in Paris, France, to Armenian refugees, he was drafted into the French army, and served as a medic during the Algerian liberation conflict before coming to the United States in 1947.
For five years he served as a pastor in Albany, New York. He tught for seven years at the European Bible Institute in Paris, and spent 20 years as a professor at Wheaton College.
Co-founding Willow Creek with Bill Hybels, Bilezikian played a pivotal role, influencing its inclusive leadership approach and co-founding Christians for Biblical Equality in 1988.
An accomplished author, his notable works include Christianity 101, The Liberated Gospel, Community 101, Beyond Sex Roles, and How I Changed My Mind about Women in Leadership.
Bilezikian earned his BA from the University of Paris, his M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and his Th.D. from Boston University.
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