9. “In Christ” (3) - Our Relationships

📖 Bible Discovery

💡 Focus Passage

🌱 Main Teachings

1. Husbands and wives

   The relationship between husband and wife was the first human relationship established and blessed by God. God expects this establishment to be held in honor by all (Heb 13:4). Strong and healthy marriages established in the Lord prepare a solid foundation for building up godly families and growing churches.

   • Husband and wife reflect the relationship and mystery between Christ and the church (Eph 5:31-32). This relationship is built on mutual love, respect, and faithfulness.

   Husbands

   • The husband is the head of the wife, just as Christ is the head of the church (Eph 5:23).
     • Being the head is not a license to oppress, dominate, or control, but instead to lead by example with a servant’s heart and self-sacrificing love.
       • Husbands are charged to serve as the spiritual leaders of their household, guiding their families in the way of the Lord (Gen 18:19; Eph 6:4).
     • Husbands ought to love their wives just as Christ loved the church (Eph 5:25).
       • By caring for their wives as their own flesh, husbands show that they love themselves and reflect Christ’s love for the church (Eph 5:28-29).
       • Husbands should dwell with their wives in love and understanding, since both are heirs of the grace of life (Col 3:19; 1 Pet 3:7).

   Wives

   • As the church submits to Christ, so the wife should submit to her husband (Eph 5:22-24; Col 3:18; 1 Pet 3:1, 5).
     • Submission comes from a respect for God and the order that He has established in making the husband the head.
     • It does not mean the wife cannot voice her opinions or discuss things with her husband, but she should ultimately respect his decisions and trust that his leadership is aimed to benefit the family.
       • Submitting to the husband glorifies God, so that His word will not be dishonored (Tit 2:5).
   • Respect your husband (Eph 5:33; 1 Pet 3:1-2).
     • Respect manifests in the wife’s attitude, choice of words, tone of voice, and actions, both in public and in private.
     • Husbands can experience God’s love through the encouragement and support of his wife. This will allow both to continue to grow and develop a closer relationship with God and with one another.
2. Parents and children

   It is God’s desire for couples in Christ to raise godly offspring (Mal 2:15). Together, parents and children form the family units that make up the church.

   Parents

   • Bring up your children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Eph 6:4).
     • Train them to walk in the way of God while they are young (Prov 22:6).
       • Children observe their environment and learn to imitate the people closest to them from a very young age. Parents should instill godly values and habits in their lives from their youth so they will continue in them when they are older.
     • Take every opportunity to teach and share with them about God and His word (Deut 6:6-7).
   • Do not provoke your children or treat them harshly (Col 3:21).

   Children

   • Honor and obey your parents (Prov 1:8-9; Eph 6:1-3; Col 3:20).
   • Treat your parents with respect; do not despise them (Prov 23:22).
   • Live wisely, in a way that will not bring your parents worry or shame (Prov 23:24-25).
3. Masters and bondservants

   The principles underlying the relationship between masters and bondservants are applicable for our servitude to the Lord, as well as in our career relationships (i.e., as employers and/or employees).

   Masters

   • As employers, we should treat our employees fairly and justly, without threatening, because we ourselves have a Master in heaven (Eph 6:9; Col 4:1).
   • As leaders in the church, we should not misuse or abuse our power or authority. Our role is not to obtain personal gain, but is instead meant to edify others and glorify God.

   Bondservants

   • As employees, we should serve our earthly employers with sincerity, fear, and respect, as we would to God (Eph 6:5).
   • We should work with all diligence and sincerity, not for the sake of pleasing people, but giving from our heart (Eph 6:6).
     • Whatever we do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, knowing that our reward is from the Lord (Eph 6:8; Col 3:23-24).
   • Be submissive and well-pleasing to our masters in order to adorn the doctrine of God (Tit 2:9-10).

👣 Practical Actions

• Examine our relationships.
  • In different seasons of our lives, we will take on different roles.
  • Despite our changing roles, we should learn how to reflect Christ and our status as a new creation through our relationships.
  • What roles and related relationships have we been entrusted with at this point in our life? (e.g., husband/wife, parent/child, sibling, friend, coworker, church member, servant/leader in ministry)
  • Things to reflect on:
    • How have we shown love, care, and respect in these relationships?
    • Are there any areas that we are neglecting or specific aspects we can improve on?
    • What should our attitude and actions focus on in this relationship so that we can reflect Christ more?
• Use Scripture as a mirror.
  • By studying the Bible, we can better understand God’s expectations and hopes for us as we navigate these various roles and relationships.
  • We can use His word as a mirror and guide (Jas 1:22-25).
  • Learn from Bible characters and how they lived as parents, spouses, friends, servants, etc. We can imitate their strengths and good points, while taking note of their weaknesses and mistakes as warnings.
    • Examples in Further Study (L9)

💭 Food For Thought

• What qualities do you think are key for cultivating healthy relationships in the Lord and why?
• How can you better reflect your status as a new creation in your current roles and relationships?

🎯 Challenge Yourself

• Write a short note of encouragement, gratitude, or affirmation to your spouse, parent, child, or co-worker in Christ.
• In order to apply what you’ve learned in this lesson, choose to do one act of love or service secretly for the other person (e.g., if you are married, for your spouse; if you are a child, for your parent, etc.).

  By expressing our gratitude and serving sincerely without seeking recognition or repayment, we can truly reflect the heart of Christ in our relationships.