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The Wives Speak

Submission:  Genesis 3:1-13; Ephesians 1:17-23

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Paul’s conversion from a murderer of Christians, to a fervent ambassador of Christ shows the great power of Christ in us.  The letters he wrote from prison to the churches he established give us a glimpse of what was on his mind: the unity of believers in the love of Christ and under the Lordship of Christ. The church is God’s plan to bring all people to Christ. The family is not only supposed to illustrate that relationship, it is the real life workshop where the skills to relate to one another are learned.  Submission to authority is the key.  If only we would submit.

I.  All Power and Authority. Genesis 3:1-13; Ephesians 1:17-23

As we near the end of our study of God’s story through the eyes of the women, we return full circle to the dilemma that faced Eve.  Perhaps Paul was thinking, “By now, we should appreciate submission.”  But the truth is, the struggle still goes on in every life and in every relationship.  Discover what God wanted women to understand through Paul:  that our best choice in life is submit to God.

  1. What was the question that Eve was forced to answer and how did it convict her? (Genesis 3:13)
  1. Why do you think she chose to refuse God’s authority? (Genesis 3:2-3)

 

Many years later Paul was praying for the Ephesian Christians with thanksgiving because, in Christ, they had something Eve didn’t have.  Eve didn’t have the indwelling presence and power of Christ.

  1. What kind of authority does Christ have in the church? Ephesians 1:22
  1. Fill in the blanks: He is seated “in the heavenly realms, far above all _____________, and

______________ , _________________, and _________________, and every ____________

that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come” (Ephesians 1:21).

Explain what Christ’s total authority means to you in your own words. (cf. Rev. 1:8)

  1. What do we give up when we try to hold on to our own power, ? (Ephesians 1:19-20)
  1. What did Paul pray that the Ephesian believers would have? What were the two things he wanted them to know? (Ephesians 1:17-18)

Sometimes we get confused because we try to “overthink” an issue.  But we don’t have the ability to think like God does.  There are some things we must accept.  That God is the source of all power and authority is truth.  That He has placed all power and authority in Jesus Christ is truth.  That the Spirit of Jesus Christ (the Holy Spirit) dwells in Christians is also truth.  When women submit their minds to the truths of God’s authority we will open the door to restoration of our relationships.