Over the weekend, we began a brand-new series called Take a Vow. In this series, we are learning what Scripture teaches about honoring God through our marriages. After all, as we were reminded during the weekend message, "great marriages don't happen by accident." We must be intentional in serving our spouses and loving them in the same sacrificial way that Christ loved while on earth. In our study today, we will examine God's instructions to husbands and wives in Ephesians 5.
What holds us back from a mindset of sacrifice and service in any relationship?
1. Read Ephesians 5:21, which is a call to every follower of Christ in any of our relationships. What is God's instruction to us in this passage of Scripture, and why are we called to live this way?
Ephesians 5:21
And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
2. Read Ephesians 5:22-26. In what way are both husbands and wives called to a lifestyle of service?
Ephesians 5:22-26
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.
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.
3. Read Matthew 20:25-28. Contrast how the world thinks versus how Jesus calls His followers to think?
Matthew 20:25-28
25 But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. 26 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. 28 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
4. How did Jesus model this mindset of service and humility?
1. How would following this mindset of selflessness, love, and service impact our marriages?
2. What do you think is holding you back from sacrificially loving your spouse first, for those who are married, and then the people around you?
3. When it comes to following Jesus’ model of service, sacrifice, and love, what is one way you can follow His example?
Who has God placed in your life whom you can serve? If you are married, it is your spouse. If you are single, it could be a neighbor, friend, or family member. Whoever it is, share that person with your group, along with one specific way that you can serve them sacrificially this week. After everyone has shared, pray. Ask God to help each of you as you seek to serve one another with the same humility and sacrificial mindset of Christ.
Living with humility and a service-oriented mindset is not easy. This lifestyle is entirely contrary to our sinful nature. If we want to grow into having a humble, sacrificial mindset like Christ's, we must pursue spiritual growth. As we pursue spiritual growth, Christ transforms our hearts and minds to become increasingly like Him. In our study today, we will turn to Scripture to explore three ways we can pursue spiritual growth.
If we want to grow into becoming more like Christ, we must read His Word regularly. Not only do we have to read it, but we have to reflect on it and obey it. After all, the Bible is God's word to us, and it has the power to transform our hearts and minds.
1. Read Psalm 119:9-16.
Psalm 119:9-16
9 How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word. 10 I have tried hard to find you— don’t let me wander from your commands. 11 I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. 12 I praise you, O Lord; teach me your decrees. 13 I have recited aloud all the regulations you have given us. 14 I have rejoiced in your laws as much as in riches. 15 I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways. 16 I will delight in your decrees and not forget your word.
2. Describe the Psalmist’s attitude toward Scripture in this passage of Scripture?
3. What is the impact of reading, memorizing, and obeying Scripture, according to the Psalmist in this passage of Scripture?
4. How have you experienced the truth in this passage of Scripture to be true in your own life?
If we want to grow spiritually, we have to pray. Many of us recognize the importance of prayer, yet it has not become a regular part of our own lives. If we took prayer seriously, we would see God transform us in remarkable ways.
1. Read Ephesians 6:18.
Ephesians 6:18
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
2. What does this passage of Scripture teach us about prayer?
3. Who does this passage of Scripture call us to pray for, and why is praying for them necessary?
4. How does prayer lead to spiritual growth, and how have you seen this to be true in your own life?
One of the most significant ways to pursue spiritual growth is by serving. In fact, Scripture teaches us that God gives each one of us spiritual gifts so that we can serve well. When we serve those around us, God begins to transform and change us, making us more like Him.
1. Read 1 Peter 4:10-11.
1 Peter 4:10-11
God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 11 Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.
2. Why does God give us spiritual gifts, according to this passage of Scripture?
3. In what ways has God gifted you so that you can serve?
4. In what way are you currently serving? How has it led to spiritual growth? (If you are not currently serving, where could you start serving?)
For the next few moments, reflect on the Scripture you studied today. Pick one of the ways to pursue spiritual growth that you would like to grow in. Share that with your group, along with one way you will start growing in that area this week.
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