Bible Study

Bible study is the 2nd and 3rd Sundays of each month instead of a regular service.

This is when we delve deeper in the scriptures, like the Bereans, to better understand what we are reading. Some people think we should not question God, but there are times when those hard questions nag at you like “why did God let the satan attack Job” or when a hard saying of Jesus like “if you call someone a fool you are liable to the fire of gehenna” just gets in the way of your faith. All over the Bible the Psalmists and prophets were constantly asking God some tough questions when they don’t understand what’s happening to them. And so, we, like them should not shy away from asking too. We might not get all the answers we are looking for, but we come away with a better understanding of the passages we are studying and knowing that our God is a big and does not feel threatened by our questioning.

Week 9 – Honoring Christ in Your Marriage – Wife

November 15, 2015

Study
Questions

Study

The First Letter of Peter: Holy Living in the Midst of Fiery Trials.

This chapter begins with a connection to the I Peter 2:13-14, 18 dealing with submission. To be submissive means placing oneself under the authority and leadership of another. In our society the word submission/submissive seems to have a negative connotation, especially when talking about a wife being submissive to her husband. Women are not commanded to submit to their husbands, but encouraged to allow her husband be the leader in their home. Not because he deserves it, but because it is pleasing to our Lord. As co-heirs of the grace of life, we choose to (voluntarily, not forced) place ourselves under the leadership ordained by God. Submission, as noted earlier, is not limited only to wives but to: a husband to Christ, one believer to another, an employee to the employer, a soldier to his general, citizens to their President/Ruler, etc.

Questions

What is the first thing Peter emphasizes in addressing a wife?
What Old Testament person does Peter point to as a model for the Christian wife? How did she view her husband? – see Genesis 18:21
How should a woman regard beauty?
What does Peter say is true and lasting beauty?
Is it wrong for a Christian woman to make herself physically attractive?

Answers

He emphasizes the exhortation that “wives be submissive to your own husband.”
Sarah viewed her husband as lord; the leader of her household.
A woman should not let her physical beauty: the hair style, the latest fashion, the make-up, the wearing of jewelry be her only ‘beauty.’
True and lasting beauty comes from within: humble and quiet spirit which is precious in the sight of God.
It is not wrong or sinful for a woman to make herself physically beautiful. But, if after taking off all that beautiful clothes and makeup and jewelry, she lays aside her ‘beauty’ and the ugliness within still remains, how will she be seen or known by her husband and others and, more importantly, by God.

Selected Scripture Verses

I Peter 3:1-6

Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, (2) when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. (3) Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. (4) Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. (5) For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, (6) like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.

Bible Study

Open Hands Church