Doctrinal Mastery: 1 Corinthians 11:11
Both Men and Women Are Essential in Heavenly Father’s Plan
In your study of 1 Corinthians 11, you learned about how God views the unique and divine roles of women and men. The intent of this lesson is to help you increase your mastery of these teachings as you memorize the reference and key scripture phrase for 1 Corinthians 11:11, explain the doctrine, and apply principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge to a real-life situation.
Explain and memorize
Look at your hands. Observe how they are the same as each other and how they are different.
1. Answer the following questions in your study journal:
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If each hand can function individually, why do you think Heavenly Father designed His children with two hands?
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How do the differences in your hands help you accomplish tasks or use your talents?
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How might these observations about your hands relate to 1 Corinthians 11:11?
The following activity can help you memorize the doctrinal mastery reference 1 Corinthians 11:11 and its key scripture phrase, “Neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.”
Write the key scripture phrase and scripture reference. Read or recite the phrase and reference multiple times, erasing or deleting words each time. Continue until you are comfortable repeating the key scripture phrase and reference without looking at the words.
Practice application
In your study journal, record the following principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge:
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Act in faith
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Examine concepts and questions with an eternal perspective
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Seek further understanding through divinely appointed sources
Describe each principle in two or three sentences. You may want to refer to paragraphs 5–12 in the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document (2022) to check your knowledge and add any important information you may have missed.
In 1 Corinthians 11:11, you learned that in Heavenly Father’s plan, both women and men are essential.
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How has this truth been misunderstood or disregarded in society?
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What are some situations in your life where you might have the opportunity to teach or defend this truth?
Select one of the following scenarios, and think about how applying the principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge can help someone understand the truth from 1 Corinthians 11:11 about the roles of men and women in Heavenly Father’s plan.
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Kalee’s younger sister Elle heard some boys at school saying that men are more important than women. Elle asks Kalee, “Aren’t I worth just as much as boys are?”
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Reid is concerned because he hears some of his fellow quorum members talking disrespectfully about women.
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After watching a popular movie, a group of friends makes fun of the ridiculous actions of the father character. Several agree that the father wasn’t needed, and one friend states, “This is why you don’t need a man to raise a happy family.”
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Esteban and Clara are preparing to marry in the temple. Their parents suggest that they talk about how each will fulfill the different roles and responsibilities in their future family.
2. Answer three of the following questions in your study journal:
Act in faith
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What are ways that you or the individual in the scenario could act in faith in response to the issue that is raised?
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How can valuing the unique and essential roles of women and men help you follow Jesus Christ?
Examine concepts and questions with an eternal perspective
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What do you know about Heavenly Father and His plan that could be helpful if you encountered a situation like this?
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What are some of the roles of men and women in Heavenly Father’s plan?
Seek further information through divinely appointed sources
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How could your understanding and testimony of the truths taught in 1 Corinthians 11:11 help you respond to this situation?
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What other inspired teachings from the scriptures or Church leaders could help you faithfully respond?