In our current series, Level-Up, we have been looking at how Jesus makes life better. When we follow Him, He changes us for the better from the inside out. Even our relationships will change for the better. This includes our marriages for those who are married. Today, we are going to see just how much Jesus transforms all of our relationships, especially our marriages, for the better when we follow Him and obey Him.
Name some of the things that are necessary to have a godly, thriving marriage that points others to Him.
1. What are the common causes of conflict in relationships?
2. Read Ephesians 5:21-30. Summarize the instructions given to husbands and wives in this passage of Scripture.
Ephesians 5:21-27
21 And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. 22 For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23 For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. 24 As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything. 25 For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her 26 to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. 27 He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault.
3. What is the foundation for the way husbands and wives treat each other? (Hint: Look back at verse 21.)
4. How did Jesus set an example for the love and respect husbands and wives are to show each other?
1. What is required in order for us to show Christlike love and respect for others, especially our spouses for those who are married?
2. Name some practical ways that we can model the Christ-like love that Ephesians 3 talks about.
3. When it comes to your relationships, especially your marriage relationship if you are married, what is one way you can grow?
Christ demonstrated sacrificial love when He came to earth and died on the cross to rescue the world from sin. Throughout His entire ministry, He showed that love to those whom He encountered. What does it look like today to show that kind of love? Think of one way you can demonstrate Christlike love to someone in your life. For those who are married, think about how you can demonstrate Christlike love toward your spouse. Share this with your group, and commit to taking steps to love those God has placed in our lives with His love, especially our spouses.
Unity is critical for all of our relationships to thrive. When unity is present, we can wade through conflict, serve willingly, and operate with the same mission and goal in mind. Let's take a few moments to see what Scripture teaches about unity and why it is vital in all relationships.
When we talk about unity, we must start by looking at the example we have of perfect unity: Christ and the church. When we understand the relationship between Christ and the church, we have a picture of what it looks like to live in unity with others.
1. Read Ephesians 5:28-32.
Ephesians 5:28-32
29 No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church. 30 And we are members of his body. 31 As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” 32 This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one.
2. What does this passage of Scripture teach about Christ and the church?
3. How did Christ demonstrate unity when it comes to His church?
In light of Christ and the church’s example of unity, members of the church are called to live in unity. The unity among members of the church is critical for the church to be strengthened. Unity also points others who are watching directly to Christ.
1. Read 1 Corinthians 12:18-31.
1 Corinthians 12:18-31
18 But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. 19 How strange a body would be if it had only one part! 20 Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. 21 The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.” 22 In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. 23 And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, 24 while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. 25 This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. 26 If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. 27 All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it. 28 Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church: first are apostles, second are prophets, third are teachers, then those who do miracles, those who have the gift of healing, those who can help others, those who have the gift of leadership, those who speak in unknown languages. 29 Are we all apostles? Are we all prophets? Are we all teachers? Do we all have the power to do miracles? 30 Do we all have the gift of healing? Do we all have the ability to speak in unknown languages? Do we all have the ability to interpret unknown languages? Of course not! 31 So you should earnestly desire the most helpful gifts. But now let me show you a way of life that is best of all.
2. What does this passage of Scripture reveal about the church, and how does this truth relate to unity?
3. What is at stake, according to this passage of Scripture, if we do not live in unity?
4. What gifts has God given you to help serve the church and keep unity?
Finally, Scripture teaches that unity is vital in marriage relationships. When husbands and wives live in unity, they serve as an example to the watching world of the relationship between Christ and the Church. When husbands and wives choose unity instead of living exclusively for themselves, Christ is glorified through them.
1. Read Ephesians 5:28-33.
Ephesians 5:28-33
28 In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. 29 No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church. 30 And we are members of his body. 31 As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” 32 This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. 33 So again, I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
2. What does Paul reveal about the relationship between husbands and wives?
3. How does Paul’s teaching in this passage of Scripture motivate us to live in unity with our spouses?
4. What does unity in marriages reveal, according to this passage of Scripture?
Unity is vital in all of our relationships, and each of us has been equipped to help maintain unity in our most important relationships. Based on your gifts, name one specific way that you can play a role in keeping the unity in your most important relationships and the church. Share that with your group members. Commit to taking that step this week in order to help keep the unity in your relationships and point others to Christ.
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