warm-up

What do you first notice about the opposite sex? Why?

When you hear the word “authority,” what comes to mind? Why?

Who are your role models when it comes to marriage? Why?

word

31“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” ³²This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. Ephesians 5:31,32

Today, there is a striking contrast between the Bible and our culture’s view on marriage, especially when it comes to the roles of husband and wife. In a society that highly values competitiveness and entitlement, each one serves his or her own interest. The Bible, on the other hand, shows that each person’s role in marriage is an opportunity to serve and value one another. God gave the husband and wife roles that complement one another. Let us look at three truths that will help us gain a biblical perspective of marriage.

1
Lordship

. . . ²¹submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. ²²Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. ²³For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Ephesians 5:21-23

Marriage is God’s blueprint based on His love for the church. In marriage, the husband and wife are both under one authority who is Christ, the head of the church. The Bible says, The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all (Psalm 103:19). Ultimately, the husband and wife should yield to God’s authority and control, in every area of their lives, out of reverence for Christ. What does it mean to revere someone? How do you show reverence for Christ?

2
Leadership

²⁴Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. ²⁵Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her . . . Ephesians 5:24,25

The Bible says that the man should lead and the wife should submit to his leadership. This kind of leadership is modeled not according to human systems of authority but according to the way Christ loved the church—that He gave himself up for her . . . so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle (Ephesians 5:25-27). Christ cares for and loves the church. This shows us that leadership in marriage is not about subordination but about loving and building one another up, and is concerned about bringing out the best in each other. What does the Bible say about building each other up? (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

3
Love

However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. Ephesians 5:33

The husband and wife’s complementary roles don’t make either of them more or less important. These are God-given ways to serve one another in love, as we cooperate with Him in building the church and our families. Following Christ’s blueprint means that the husband and wife gain an opportunity to build one another up, cultivating and respecting one another out of love. What is God’s command to us? (1 John 4:7)

application

Are you submitting to God and following His plans for your life? In what area do you need to surrender to His Lordship?

Do you believe that Christ cares for and loves us? In what ways do you see these manifested in your life?

How can you build someone up this week? What can you say to encourage him/her?

prayer

Thank God for His supremacy and control over your life, your marriage, and your family. Pray that you will continually submit to His Lordship.

Pray that you will always look to the interests of others (Philippians 2:4), always ready to serve and love selflessly. Pray that you will be who God wants you to be.

Pray for an opportunity to preach God’s love to someone this week.

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Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), Copyright © 2001
by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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