Level Up wk. 5

This rGroup session is on the latter part of Ephesians 5. This mainly applies to married couples. However, this can be very useful for single people who may be looking for a spouse. If you have single people in your group, encourage them to think through these specific roles and how they can start to make progress toward what God has called them to, while also looking for a spouse that embodies these characteristics.

Icebreaker: We are talking about marriage today. Go around and share one word that describes how your marriage is currently going.

1- When you hear the word "submit" what are the first few thoughts that come through your head? Why?

READ Eph. 5:22-24

2- After reading these 3 verses, what are you initial thoughts about the role of the wife in marriage? 

3- How do you think this idea conflict with modern ideas of a woman's role in marriage? How do you think it's similar? Which one is better and why?

READ Eph. 5:25

4- What do you think it means to love "the way that Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her"? 

READ Eph. 5:26-30

5- Verses 26-27 show us what Paul means when he writes about the husbands role to love as Christ loved the Church. What do you think that means? 

6- How do you think that looks practically in marriage? 

7- Paul is using Jesus and the Church to make points about marriage relationships, but this also gives us deep theology about the relationship between Jesus and the Church. What do these passages tell you about the way Jesus cares about the Church as a whole? 

8- After answering #8, how does this change the way you view/interact with your local church? 

READ Eph. 5:33

9- Verse 33 is a great summary statement for this discourse on marriage. Think about how this verse applies to you as either the husband or the wife in your marriage. How can you better play your role? 

10- Now, think about the other person in your marriage. In what ways can you and your group pray for them to play their role?