Ephesians

Third Day: Review Ephesians 5:22—6:9, concentrating on 5:25-33.

1. a. Paul now addresses husbands. What are husbands commanded to do in Ephesians 5:25a?

b. Although the word love is misused and misunderstood in the English language, Paul explains exactly what he means. How is a husband to love his wife, according to Ephesians 5:25b? How might this be expressed in the marriage relationship?

2. a. The husband is not to be the slave-master, the cruel demeaning overlord of the wife, but rather is to be a self-sacrificing servant. To what end did Christ give Himself up for the church? (Ephesians 5:26-27)

b. Personal: Have you ever considered the implications of this? If you are a husband, what are you doing to help your wife become the woman God wants her to be? How might this become a blessing to you?

3. a. Christ is the model for husbands. From Ephesians 5:28-29a and Colossians 3:19, how should a husband behave toward his wife?

b. How does the relationship of Christ and the church show what the relationship of husband and wife should be? (Ephesians 5:29b-30)

4. a. How does the marriage relationship take precedence over other relationships? (Ephesians 5:31, quoting from Genesis)

b. Challenge: As we learned in the Lesson 2 Study Questions, in the Bible a mystery is a secret God understands, but which people cannot understand unless God discloses its meaning. What is the mystery that has just been disclosed to us in Ephesians 5:23-32?

5. What Paul has been describing once again is mutual submission according to the role of each individual within the relationship. How does he sum it up in Ephesians 5:33?

6. Personal: These subjects are delicate and often touchy, especially in today’s self-exalting society. Have you been convicted or encouraged in any areas? If so, how? Are there changes in actions or attitudes that you need to make? Why not pray about this now?