Walk in Humble Submission - Week 10

Lesson Ten Eph 5:21-33

Connecting to one another

Last week we left off noting that wise children seek to “be filled with the Spirit...submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Ephesians 5:18b, 21). This truth transitions Paul to discussing how all key relationships in the church are to function.

Share a time when out of reverence for Christ you deferred to someone whose role or rank is lower than yours. Why was choosing to defer wiser for the person and for your mutual community?

Understanding the Truth with one another

We usually move through our text verse by verse. Consider why we chose to move differently this week.

CONTEXT – God has already begun to unite all things in heaven and earth in Christ (Eph 1:10). He is the head of the Church, His body (22-23). On the day every knee bows and every tongue confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord, consummation will be complete (Phil 2:10-11). Between these times, the wise in Christ follow Jesus’ example and humbly play their role in God’s plan for oneness. Let’s start with His example first.

Read Ephesians 5:21-33.

1. Christ and the Church

a. What is unique about the relationship between a husband and a wife that is a mirrored mystery in

Christ’s relationship with the church? (verses 31-32)

b. In His relationship with the church, Christ has the greater authority.

o Verse 23b How did Christ use the authority of His role?

o Verse 25b How did Christ use the authority of His role?

o Verse 26 How did Christ use the authority of His role?

o Verse 27 How did Christ’s selfless use of authority fulfill the will of the Father?

o Verse 29-30 Why did and does Christ nourish and cherish the church?

c. What is the church’s proper response to the authority of Christ? (verse 24).

d. How does Christ and the church together display God’s glory as they play their role in God’s plan?

2. The Husband and Wife

Consider these verses as describing the ideal relationship, one that mirrors Christ’s with the church.

a. What role did God give the husband? (verse 23)

b. Review verses 25-33 and answers in #1b. How is a husband to use the authority of his role?

CONTEXT – The verb “submit” from verse 21 is in middle voice, a softer voice, indicating that the wife cannot be forced to submit. She is not a slave, but a free and responsible person. The same verb is used of Christ’s submission to the Father (1 Corinthians 15:28). We learned in lesson one that God is one; He exists in three eternal, co-equal persons, who are the same in essence but distinct in subsistence (Deut 6:4; 1 Pet 1:2). As an equal with the Father, Christ freely chose to submit to the Father’s will.

c. What is the wife’s proper response to the authority of her husband? (verse 22).

o Verse22a

o Verse22b

o Verse24

o Verse33

d. Since the wife is commanded to submit and to respect, it would follow that God would command the husband to rule. But, instead, God commands the husband to love three times! How do the husband and wife together display God’s glory as they play their role in God’s plan?

Living the Truth as we are sent out

3. The principles in this passage are general. This gives every couple the freedom to mutually agree on how they will organize their marriage around its principles. Share what this looks like for you and your spouse.

4. How could this passage be misused by a husband or by a wife? What correction would you give to him or her?

5. Your friend is married to someone who is not seeking to fulfill his or her role in the marriage. What advice would you give your friend?

Praying Through the Truth for one another

Pray over the marriages in your group and in our church.

Worship ALL Week At Grace we trust Christ to transform us as we abide in Him daily.

READ & MEDITATE

o Homework– Read Ephesians 6:1-9 in preparation for next week.

ACT

o Review where you were convicted in this week’s lesson. What steps of repentance should you take? Is there a person you should confess to or seek forgiveness from or ask to hold you accountable in this area? Is there retribution you need to make? If you need help, then reach out to your group for wisdom and prayer.

God’s joy and strength to you!

kpaulson@gracelaredo.org