April 21, 2024

Ephesians 5:28-33

1. Jesus Christ mediates and pleads on our behalf every day of our lives. Husbands, are you loving your wife by praying for her daily? Do you pray FOR her, and also WITH her? If not, how can you be growing in this? Wives, how can you encourage your husband in this?

2. Do you use your marriage as a tool for evangelism? If not, how can your marriage be used to point others towards the good news of the Gospel? If yes, how have you used your marriage for the advance of the gospel? What fruits have you seen from this?

3. What is a good gift to some might not be a good gift to others. Men, when we love our wives as ourselves, sometimes we try to love them by doing things that WE enjoy, but they might not necessarily enjoy. It is a good thing that you should study your wife, knowing her likes and dislikes. Can you think of a time when you attempted to make your wife happy, but ended up completely failing instead? How do you navigate those moments? Wives, how can you be supporting, and encouraging, but also offer constructive criticism in these moments?
   

4. Husbands, how can you actively safeguard your wife from negative influences or harmful situations, ensuring she feels secure and protected? What are things that you have had to protect her from in the past, and when are some times that you have failed to protect her? Wives, how can you actively stand by your husband, offering encouragement and assistance in navigating challenges or temptations, and helping him stay grounded in what is right and good?

5. Husbands, in what ways can you ensure that your wife's needs, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, are consistently met and even exceeded? Wives, in what ways can you contribute to easing the burdens on your husband, ensuring that his needs are met and his goals are supported as he strives to provide for the family?

6. Husbands, how can you cultivate a deeper level of attentiveness and empathy in your communication with your wife, making her feel truly heard and understood?

7. Husbands, how can you lead by example in upholding values and principles that align with righteousness and goodness, guiding your wife toward spiritual and moral growth? Wives, how can you honor and respect your husband's role as a leader in your family, supporting his efforts to lead with integrity, and offering constructive feedback when needed?

8. Husbands, how have you demonstrated your love and appreciation for your wife through thoughtful gestures and surprises, enriching her life with meaningful and enjoyable experiences? Wives, how can you express gratitude and admiration for how your husband enriches your life and the lives of your family members, acknowledging his efforts and celebrating his successes?

9. Husbands, how can you cultivate a culture of forgiveness and grace in your relationship, fostering an environment where mistakes are acknowledged, lessons are learned, and reconciliation is embraced?

10. How does Jesus Christ compel you to love your spouse? How can you be laboring to grow in your delight of the good news of Jesus Christ?