Submission in Our Families

Main Point

Peter has talked about us being submissive to civil authorities and church authorities. Now he tells us that it is important for Christ-followers to submit to one another within our own families. The Christian family should be a testimony to the world of a family that puts God first. God has given roles to both men and women as they follow Christ even though all are equal in Christ (Gal. 3:27-28).

The Wife’s Responsibility

• The wife was to stay committed to her husband
  • Submission is not negative but points to the order God has given to us in society.
  • Sometimes as a wife lives out her faith the husband might be led to new life in Christ. (Being respectful and faithful)
• The wife is to dress appropriately 
  • Not worried just about the outward appearance but her heart
  • Focusing on the outward doesn’t change the heart (1 Tim. 2:9-10)
  • Following Sarah’s example

The Husband’s Responsibility

• Husbands are to live in the same way with their wives, in an understanding way
• He should support and protect her
• He should show her honor
  • The spiritual result of a Godly husband is: prayers will be effective

Scripture

• 1 Peter 3:1-8
• Exodus 20:12
• Colossians 3:18-21
• Ephesians 5:22-6:4

Questions

• How do your parents show Christ to one another and you?
• Do your parents have different roles in your home? Are any of the roles more important than the others?
• How is Christian submission different than what the world thinks of as submissive?
• How can Christian families be evangelistic in our current culture?

Application

• Talk to your parents about how they support one another in the home and spiritually. How can you help support them this week?
• Memorize Eph. 5:21

²¹ submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.