July 11, 2020
The truths expounded in Ephesians 5 transcend culture, personal preferences and human wisdom. The principles outlined are based on God’s truth and they call us to walk in a manner worthy of Christ’s love and salvation. We have been called to display humility and gentleness, patience, and showing tolerance for one another in love. We are called to be imitators of God, walk in love and walk with wisdom. The overarching context informs us that everything we do in the Christian life is to be governed by godly Christ-like behavior: humility, gentleness, patience, tolerance, love and mutual submission. These character traits are to be displayed in the most intimate of relationships – marriage.
Please read Eph. 5:22-33
1. In what way do verses Eph. 5:18-21 impact the practical outworking of Eph. 5:22-33?
2. Throughout this passage (Eph. 5:22-33), what is said about the church?
3. What does it mean to submit to the Lord? What is submission and what is it not? Is this principle cultural or transcultural?
4. What do we learn from verses Eph. 5:22-24 about how a wife is to regard her husband?
5. How do you react to the notion of submitting to someone else?
6. What instructions are given to husbands (Eph. 5:25-33)?
7. How has Christ loved the church?
8. In your own words, what is the husbands goal for his wife?
9. What is the significance of a husband and wife becoming one flesh (Eph. 5:31-32)? In practical terms, how do the principles of love and respect manifest themselves within the Christian marriage?
10. How is a Christian marriage compared to Christ’s relationship to the church?
11. If you are a wife, how can your submission to your husband be more like your submission to Christ? If you are a husband, how can you love your wife more like Christ loved the church?
Memory Verse
Eph. 5:1-2 “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”