The Christ Centered Family

Everything is to be done for the glory of Christ!

Christ-Centered Marriage

Wives are to submit to the leading of their husbands, as proper in the Lord.

Ephesians 5:22–24 “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.”

Sarah provides an example of a Godly wife, who followed her husband as he followed the Lord. 1 Peter 3:1–6 “Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct. Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.”

Husbands are to love and not be “bitter” or harsh.

A man who is seeking the Lord should be a delight to follow. Ephesians 5:25–33 “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.”

In the creation order, God gave Adam the responsibility to cause what was under him to flourish and grow. Men are called to lead their families in their walk with the Lord. Dwell with your wife according to knowledge - seek to understand her!

Christ-Centered Parenting

Children are to obey parents. Ephesians 6:1–3 “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.””

We live in an age of rebellion, but God has promised blessing to those children who obey the direction of their parents. When older, we are told to honor. How, by walking in such a way that brings honor to them.

Fathers - don’t provoke. Ephesians 6:4“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”