Biblical Marriage

Session Eight

Relationship: Change, Making Disciples

Ephesians 6:1-4 

Outline 

In the last session we focused on change. Simply stated, the commitment to marriage is a commitment toward change. But not change for the sake of changing, change that brings Christ-likeness into our marriage. The Biblical term for change is sanctification. Becoming more like Christ in every aspect of our life should be the life long goal for every Christian. We discussed the “how’s” of change; examining the pattern for change seen clearly in the relationship between Christ and his bride, the church. Christ died to change her. True change is never the result of selfishness or oppression. True change only comes from sacrificial love.

In this session we will answer the question, “Why is change such an important subject in marriage?” Another way to look at this subject is to ask, “Why does the Bible call me to a life of sanctification?”

In order to answer the question of why change toward Christ-likeness is necessary in our marriage, we must discuss again the foundations established in the first seven sessions regarding Biblical marriage. We established that the main meaning of marriage is to display the covenant-keeping love between Christ and His church. Our main text for this conclusion is Ephesians 5:21-33. Marriage is a husband playing the role of Christ, and a wife playing the role of the church, proclaiming the Gospel to everyone who would look their way, especially their children. Grace plays the foundational role in marriage as two imperfect people join together forgiving sin and forbearing strangeness. In short, God designed marriage to reflect the Gospel. This is the most important thing for all husbands and wives to know about their marriage.

In addition, God has designed marriage as the institution from which we are “fruitful and multiply and fill the earth…” (Genesis 1:26-28). The whole of Scripture makes clear that God’s design doesn’t call us to simply fill the earth with warm bodies, but fill the earth with children who follow Christ. God’s design for marriage is to be a place that fosters a hunger for Christ and His love. What better environment in which a young person grows? What better reason for every husband and wife to change to be more Christ-like every day? Simply stated, change toward Christ-likeness in our marriage is necessary because the Gospel is at stake. Marriage is a place for making disciples. Jesus commanded, “Go and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:20).

Making Marriage a Place for Making Disciples   

Structure presented in the text: (Ephesians 6:1-4)

• Fathers Lead
• Mothers and Fathers Teach by Example
• Environment of Honor and Unity
• Always Pointing to the Lord
• Child has a Front Row Seat to View “Christ and the Church”

Fathers, don’t provoke anger: (verse 4)

Why the focus on anger?

• When authority and self-will come together anger often occurs
• Anger devours other emotions
• God’s forgiveness deals primarily with anger (Eph. 4:31-5:2)

LIFE APPLICATION

Think about the dynamic change that will happen in our children when they love what they see at home in your Christ-centered marriage.

Christ-centered marriage is a place of tender love that opens our children’s heart and delivers them from anger.