Exiles: Live on Mission in Marriage
1 Peter 3:7
April 3, 2016
To live as an Exile: Live on mission reaching a hostile world by following God
everyday with good lives
12 Live
such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong,
they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. 1 Peter 2:12 (NIV)
Peter’s point: Live in such a way that non-Christians find our faith attractive,
even to those who would demean it and slander us.
Everyday Good Lives: Live with submission and respect in marriage
Men: Reach an unbelieving and hostile world through your conduct towards
your wife –lead from relationship instead of intimidation and position
Leading from relationship involves:
1. Taking time to know your wife
7 Husbands,
in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives...
1 Peter 3:7a (NIV)
2. Leading your wife with gentleness and respect
7 Husbands,
in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them
with respect as the weaker partner... 1 Peter 3:7 (NIV)
3. Treating your wife as an equal
7 Husbands,
in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them
with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so
that nothing will hinder your prayers. 1 Peter 3:7 (NIV)
Motivation to lead from relationship:
1. Do it out of reverence for God
2. Do it to win others to faith in Jesus
3. Your actions in marriage not only impact your relationship with your wife and kids but
also with God
7 …so that nothing will hinder your prayers. 1 Peter 3:7 (NIV)
Reflection Questions:
HEAD: EXAMINING GOD’S WORD FOR TRUTH TO KNOW AND FOLLOW HIM
Q: What does it mean to know and follow Jesus according to God’s truth revealed in his
word?
1. From this passage, what are the responsibilities of a husband?
2. What does it mean to live with your wife in a considerate or understanding way?
3. How can a husband know what his wife’s deepest needs are?
4. What does women are the “weaker partner” mean?
5. How does being “heirs with you” shape how a husband relates to his wife?
6. How does this passage support that men and women are equal but different?
7. What are the consequences of a husband who does not honor his wife?
8. What is the motivation for a husband to honor his wife?
HEART: WRESTLING WITH WHAT WE BELIEVE
Q: How is what I believe being changed by God to reflect his truth?
1. How are you taking time to know your wife?
2. How well do you listen to your wife and hear her heart and deepest needs? How can you
grow in this area?
3. Are you leading your wife with gentleness and respect or are you condescending and
abusive with your words or intimidating with your physical presence?
4. In what ways do you relate to your wife that is not reflective of the gospel?
5. Do you view your wife as your equal or are you treating her as one who is inferior to you?
6. What would repentance look like in the way you live with your wife?
HANDS: BRINGING TRUTH AND BELIEFS INTO EVERYDAY LIFE
Q: What is God inviting me to do?
1. How is God asking you to lead your wife through relationship by knowing and respecting
her?
This week:
Memory verse: 1 Peter 3:7
Read: 1 Peter 1:8-22