The Lord has provided His people with the opportunity to show forth His gospel not just in preaching, but in their everyday lives. Our relationships and the way we live provide a "theater" where the world can see the difference that the Lord Jesus Christ makes. One of the clearest expressions of this is marriage. The Apostle Paul states that the Lord explicitly ordained marriage to be a picture of the "mystery" of the relationship between Christ and the Church. Because of that picture, we are informed about how husband and wives are to relate to one another, and what a true Christian marriage should look like.

I. The Duty of Wives
A. Submission
B. Creation Principle
C. Redemption Principle

II. The Duty of Husbands
A. Love
B. Godly Purpose
C. Important Reminder

III. The Design of God
A. Establishment of the Family
B. Mutual Blessing
C. Witness to the World

Questions for consideration: (1) What is the most difficult thing about submitting to another person? What is it that makes submission possible? Even joyous? (2) What is the greatest challenge to Biblical, sacrificial love? What practical steps can you take to be more self-sacrificing today? (3) Why do you think God uses “everyday” life to be a picture of spiritual realities?