The mailbag asked and answered, 7 - by Michelle Lesley

Excerpted from here. Our comments in bold.

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Here is another micro-doctrine, one of dozens Ms. Lesley has derived from misunderstanding 1 Timothy 2:12. See our thorough explanation of this here.

Today Ms. Lesley incorrectly answers a reader question, while studiously avoiding the quoting of or referencing Scripture.

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Q. I would like to know if you think it is unbiblical to teach my grandson Scripture. He is 16 years old, and I try to hold him accountable to church attendance as well as a private Bible study and memory Scripture. I’m the only one to encourage in that area of his life.

A.  You go for it, Granny!

Thank God …THANK GOD… for women like you who pour the gospel into their grandchildren. You are in good company with Lois. (As is typical with too many so-called "Bible teachers," Ms. Lesley is unable to actually quote Scripture. We shall do so: 

2 Timothy 1:5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.

Ms. Lesley assumes that these women taught Timothy, but there is no mention of this in the verse, or in any verse. They may well have, but Ms. Lesley cannot argue from silence.)

What a blessing it would be if your grandson turns out to be a Timothy!

The biblical prohibition against women teaching men (Ms. Lesley believes that women cannot teach men, based on an unquoted verse, 1 Timothy 2:12:

1Ti. 2:12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent.

Granting for a moment that Ms. Lesley is correct that this prohibits women teaching men, then women aren't permitted to teach boys or young men either. The Greek word for man is anér: a male human being; a man, husband. Therefore, women may not teach any "male human being," including boys.

So if Ms. Lesley were to be consistent, she would tell granny not to teach the boy, a male human being.)

has a very specific context, and that context isn’t private instruction in the family. (The text does not say this!)

It’s public instruction (pastoring, preaching, teaching the Bible to men, and holding authority over men) in the gathering of the church body. (This is completely false. Read the text. The reader will find no mention of public instruction vs. private instruction. Nothing about pastors or preaching. Nothing about  the gathering of the church body. And there is no mention of  "women" and "men," but rather "a woman" and "a man." 

Ms. Lesley is completely making it up.)

Rock Your Role: Jill in the Pulpit (1 Timothy 2:11-12) (We critique this article here.)

Rock Your Role FAQs (see #12) (We critique this article here.)

It would be very helpful if a godly older man at your church could take your grandson under his wing and disciple him, (Well, finally we would agree.)

not because you’re violating Scripture, but because your grandson is at an age where he needs male role models and mentors to show him what a godly man looks and acts like. (In fact, granny has no business at all discipling a 16 year old boy. A woman should not disciple a man at all.)