Understanding God’s heart behind submission is important in combating the lies our culture peddles against it. God designed men and women as compatible beings with differing roles.
Talking Points:
- Submission isn’t rooted in weakness. It was God’s intent to provide for Adam a companion that complimented him in every way. It is the same for us in our relationship with our spouse. Genesis 2:18, 21-24
- A wife’s role is to have a cooperative demeanor. We’re kind, patient and supportive in our friendships or work relationships so why wouldn’t we be the same way in marriage? Colossians 3:18-19
- The husband’s role is patterned after Jesus and his love for the Church. Husbands have the tough task of leading selflessly and sacrificially. Ephesians 5:21-28
Discussion:
- Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- How have you seen submission work in healthy ways? How have you seen submission work in unhealthy ways?
- Read Genesis 2:18, 21-24. Why is it important to emphasize that it’s the roles of husbands and wives that are different, not that males are superior to females?
- Read Colossians 1:15-20 and Colossians 3:18-19. How does understanding the supremacy of Christ help you in your pursuit of submissiveness? How does having a cooperative demeanor in your marriage honor God? In what areas of your marriage do you need to be more cooperative and less contentious?
- Which couple in your life is a great example of walking together in marriage as helpers for each other? What specific things do they do that exemplify following the counsel in Colossians 3:18-19?
- Read Ephesians 5:21-33. Identify all that this passage says about husbands, wives and marriage. Why is it important to distinguish headship and dictatorship? What did Jesus model as the head of the Church? How is that model instructive for how headship works in marriage?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
