Day 1: Be Modest

If you were to be a world traveler, you would take the opportunity to research the countries and cities in which you’d be traveling. You’d read about the sites to see, the foods they eat, and the clothes they wear. Upon arrival, you would most likely have plans in place, including where to shop, where to eat, and what to wear.

In the Greco-Roman world, one of the appropriate dress styles of the day for women was to wear head coverings. Similar to dress in the Middle-East today, whereas women wear hijab’s, women in Corinth would wear a head-covering to show that they were married. Women who chose not to do so were considered promiscuous and immodest. 

While we don’t focus much attention on head coverings in our culture, we still have cultural ideals about modesty. 

This is the very subject Paul addresses early in 1 Corinthians 11. He’s not addressing inequality between men and women. Instead, he’s writing to encourage both men and women to be modest in their appearance and actions, so as to not draw any negative attention to themselves or the church in Corinth. As you read today, consider this: What are 3-4 ways Christians today can set an appropriate example regarding modesty?

READING: 1 CORINTHIANS 11:2-16

What are 3-4 ways Christians today can set an appropriate example regarding modesty?

What would be the best way for Christians today to communicate about the importance of modesty?

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

Read: Nehemiah 7 & 8

Reflect: What did you H.E.A.R. from God today?

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, it’s apparent to me that people within our culture today have very different thoughts and ideas about what it means to be modest. What I may perceive to be of modest appearance may differ from what others perceive to be of modest appearance. As such, I simply pray for wisdom as to how I may be able to live a more modest lifestyle. May my actions and my appearance be a godly example to others. And may my words, actions and appearance be an encouragement to others, so that You use me to strengthen Your people, and not tear them down. I pray these things in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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