Main Idea: The marriage relationship should be centered on Christ and made up of sacrificial love, submission and respect.

Ephesians 5:22–33 – “22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 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. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. 25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 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. 28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of his body. 31 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.”

Hebrews 13:4
​
I. Praying Singles
1 Corinthians 7:7; Genesis 2:18; James 1:5

II. Holy Submissive Wives (Ephesians 5:22, 33)
Colossians 3:18; 1 Peter 3:1; Ephesians 5:21; 1 Corinthians 15:28; 1 Corinthians 11:3–12

III. Sacrificial loving Husbands (Ephesians 5:23-33)
Colossians 3:19
​
1. Be a Spiritual leader (Ephesians 5:23-27)

2. Give her personal affirmation/appreciation
Proverbs 31:28-29; Song of Solomon 4:1-7; Song of Solomon 6:4-9; Song of Solomon 7:1-9;
​
3. Show personal affection (romance)
Song of Solomon 6:10; Song of Solomon 6:13; Ephesians 5:28-29; Ephesians 5:33

4. Initiate intimate conversation
Song of Solomon 2:8-14; Song of Solomon 8:13-14; 1 Peter 3:7

5. Always be honest and open
Ephesians 4:15; Proverbs 15:22-23

6. Provide home support and stability
1 Timothy 5:8

7. Demonstrate family commitment
Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:19; Proverbs 14:26


Closing Questions:

Singles - Are you praying to become the man/woman that is marry-able?

Wives - Are you blessing your husband with the gift of submission and respect as an act of worship?

Husbands - Does your wife feel fed and loved by you?
Do you think that after Jesus your wife would say she has the first place in your heart?
Because your wife is married to you, does that help or hurt their relationship with Christ?

​
Questions for your marriage:

Men, here are a few questions to ask yourself:
Is your wife moving toward health and wholeness?
Does she have a support system?
Has she been consistently doing things that give her life?
Does she have margin (or is she making space) to commune with God in a way that resonates with her?

Soul care questions to ask your wife:
What has caused you unrest lately?
What has brought you joy?
What can you delegate?
What would you change about our lives right now?