Series 11 - Christian Household / Ephesians 5:22-6:9

Ephesians 5:22-6:9 

Key Verse: 5:33, “However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.”

1.  In instructing households, whom does Paul address first, and what are they to do (5:22)? Why do wives need to hear this? Why “to your own” husbands? What does “as to the Lord” mean? How does Paul explain, and what does he mean that the husband is “head” (23)? How does Paul conclude, and what does “in everything” mean (24)?

2.  Whom does Paul address next, and why do they need to hear this (25a)? What is unique about Christ’s love for the church, and yet what principles can husbands learn from him (25b–27)? What other illustration of love does Paul give, and what can husbands learn from it (28–30)?

3.  What Scripture does Paul quote as a conclusion, and what do “hold fast” and “one flesh” mean (31)? What is the “profound mystery” of marriage, what can husbands learn from it? Note how often Paul relates what he’s saying to Christ (22–32); why is this important? What is Paul’s conclusion, and what is the goal of this (33)?

4.  Whom does Paul address next, and why do they need to hear this (6:1)? What Scripture does he use to support this, and how can this help children (2–3)? What does Paul say to fathers, and why do they need to hear this (4)? What does it mean to bring children up “in the discipline and instruction of the Lord”?

5.  Whom does Paul address next, and why do they need to hear this (5a)? How does this relate to Christ, and what principles can all workers learn here (5b–8)? Who is last, why do they need to hear this, and what can all employers learn here (9)? How can Christians live out all these forms of submission (5:18b–21)?