Marriage Monday Bible Study Answers

 

Following are my answers to the Bible study posted for Marriage Monday’s November topic:

“Submission is a Decision NOT a Dirty Word” 
by e-Mom at C h r y s a l i s

Please read Ephesians 5:22-33 

1.     Who are wives commanded to be subject to? 

      Their own husbands 

2.     Who else are wives commanded to be subject to?

      The Lord 

3.     Is submission an emotional feeling or a decision of the will? Why?

      It’s a decision. You can’t command feelings. 

4.     Who is the head of the wife?

      Her husband

5.     Who is the head and Savior of the Body (Church)?

      Christ 

6. In what area of their lives are wives commanded to be subject to their husbands? Give examples.      

      In everything. Home, work, child-rearing etc.

7. Why do you think the commands in this passage on marriage are given to the wife first?       

      She is naturally motivated to work on her marriage relationship. There’s a reciprocal effect. As she submits, her husband becomes more loving toward her. 

8. What is a hierarchy?       

      A chain of command, as in a military setting. A pecking order of functional repsonsibility as in a boss-employee relationship.

9. Which marriage partner is do you think is responsible for establishing the hierarchical relationship described in this passage, the wife or the husband?        

      The wife       

10. What are husbands commanded to do in regard to their wives?       

      To love their wife

11. Do you think this kind of love is an emotional feeling or a decision of the will?       

      Decision. You can’t command feelings.

12. According to this passage, what did Christ do to demonstrate his love for the church?       

      He died for her 

13. Why did Christ give himself up for the Church?       

      In order to sanctify her

14. Define the word “sanctify.”      

      Consecrate, set apart as holy, purify, or free from sin 

15. With what does Christ cleanse his church?                                     

      With his Word

16. Based on this passage, which of the five senses does the wife use to perceive her husband’s love for her?       Ears, sense of hearing 

17. What imagery is suggested by the words “washing with water,” “spot,” and “wrinkle?”

      Soiled garments, dirty clothes−our corrupted mortal bodies which are subject to death and decay. 

18. From this passage, whose body is the wife a part of? 

      Her husband’s (Remember, Eve was created from Adam’s side.) 

19. Whose example should a husband follow? How should he treat his wife? 

      Christ. He should nourish, cherish

20. From this passage, what does the “one flesh” relationship between a husband and a wife represent spiritually?

      The union of Christ and his Church 

21. Do you think a wife’s participation in sexual relations with her husband communicates her submission to him? 

      Yes, it’s a very important way that she communicates her vulnerable surrender to his masculine strength.

22. Besides being subject to their husbands, what are wives also commanded to do? 

      Respect

23. Why aren’t wives commanded to love their husbands? 

      Men’s primary need is not love, but respect.

24. What does this passage say to you about a husband’s greatest need in relation to his wife? 

      A man needs his wife’s submission, trust, vulnerability, respect, and a sense of “we” not “I.” 

25. What does this passage say to you about a wife’s greatest need in relation to her husband? 

      She needs his caring, nurturing, self-sacrificing, risk-taking leadership and protective love.

Thanks for all your hard work! 

If you’re new to this site, welcome. Please join us on Dec. 3, 2007 for Marriage Monday at my primary blog, Chrysalis. See you then.  

Blessings,

     e-Mom

Photo: knox_tri (Flickr)