Marriage Seminar – Session 2 “How to promote unity in a marriage?" - Understanding the wife's responsibilities

Review from Last Seminar From Genesis 2:24-25 24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.  25 The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame. We are called by God in marriage: To Leave To be United To become one flesh To be transparent, intimate

Group discussion Women – What are your expectations of being a wife? Men – What are your expectations from a wife? Most couples have high expectations for their marriage?

Group discussion – Why & What Happened WHY? Don’t understand Marriage clearly Focus is on ourselves, know many may not succeed. Feel their marriage will different, because they really love each other. Begin with marriage w/ great expectation, but often replaced with fustration. WHAT? Both Man & Woman didn’t live their lives personally or their marriage according to God’s Word. God gave specific info & direction about marriage’s purpose & roles & responsibilities for both wife & husband. “When 2 people know ,accept, and fulfill their different but complimentary responsibilities, oneness or unity in marriage is promoted.” If Not accepted or fulfilled – Frustration looms & problems.

What does God’s Word say about Wife’s Primary Responsibilities in marriage New Testament, wife is frequently commanded to submit, obey their husband. Ephesians 5:22-24  22 Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

What does God’s Word say about Wife’s Primary Responsibilities in marriage I Peter 3:1-6 1 Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4 Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 5 For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, 6 like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.

Group Discussion Wife’s Submission – not a popular idea today? Why Not? What is Submission Not? What is Submission to be?

Wife’s Submission - NOT Not a concept ONLY for Women, but ALL believers Not called to be a slave, free to become all God intended her to become – Proverbs 31:10-31 Not to never have an opinion, give advice, or open her mouth. Not inferior to Husband.

Submission from a Positive View Scripture indicates Wife’s responsibility to make herself submissive – Not forced by husband – Commanded by God. Ephesians 5:22 & I Peter 3:1 To be continuous lifestyle & mandatory for wife. – Not Optional A Spiritual matter, Done “as to the Lord” Positive, NOT Negative – Bill Gothard’s definition of submission – “freedom to be creative under divine appointed authority. Use God given abilities of wife, under husband’s management & for benefit of husband & family. Involves Wife’s attitudes as well as her actions – Serve cheerfully, not grudgingly. Extensive, just like Church is to Christ – who is head over all things. – Not selective, but all time, all places, in everything

Wife’s primary ministry In Life is to her husband – How does this apply to you? God made woman to be man’s helper, a suitable one Correspond to man. – How do you complement him? Wife made to fulfill needs, lacks, inadequacies of her husband – do good not evil to him.

Wife’s primary ministry - Specifics Make home a safe place. Being Trustworthy & dependable. Maintaining Good attitude. Discuss things lovingly, openly, & honestly – intimate & transparent. Being satisfied with her position, possessions & tasks. Being longsuffering, forgiving, & forbearing. Showing interest in husband’s problems & concerns.

Wife’s primary ministry - Specifics Being diligent, creative, & ambitious member of husband’s team. Offering suggestions, advice, & corrections when needed in loving manner. Maintain a good spiritual life. Cooperate with him in raising children. Building loyalty to him in children. Being grateful to him. Showing confidence in his decisions.

Conclusion - Homework Are you practicing submission to your husband? Are you really his helper? Look at Proverbs 31:10-31 Husbands help your wives. If you find yourself failing? Confess your sin to God & husband – PRAY together Realize that if Christ died for such a disobedient person as myself & has forgiven me, then through God’s grace, he can help us through the Holy Spirit change our disobedient heart.

Topics to cover 3/13 "Knowing You and You" - Christian and non-Christian Marriage 3/27 "What Happens When the Wife Is Smarter Than the Husband?" - understanding wife's responsibilities 4/10 "I Am the Head, But She Is the Neck" - understanding husband's responsibilities 5/8 "My Husband Loves Facebook and Text Messages Than Talking to Me" - communication 1 5/22 "My Wife Can't Stop Talking" - communication 2 6/12 "Money Talk" - unity through financial agreement or In-law relationship