God’s Created Order

God has created order in the world (gravity, math, light, sound, seasons) and in our families

God has created men and women for different roles, especially inside of the family (Gen 1:26-27)

As image-bearers, we honor God and represent God by obeying our roles (Eph 5:22-6:4)

As image-bearers, we have different roles but equal value

The Trinity pictures equality, differences, and unity for us to imitate

Rejecting our roles rejects God’s authority and order, nurtures pride, and creates division

Obeying our roles glorifies God, blesses and satisfies us, and strengthens our marriage and family

Let’s look at God’s roles for marriage, Christ’s example of each, and how we can faithfully follow or prepare to faithfully follow them.

Role of Husbands

Humble Headship – love by sacrificing, nurture by knowing, lead by serving (1Cor 11:3)

Provide their family’s needs – material, relational, and spiritual (1Thess 2:11-12, 1Tim 5:8)

Protect those God has entrusted to him (Deut 20:7-8; Eph 5:25)

Christ is the perfect image of humble, sacrificial leadership.

 

Role of Wives

Submissive Support – trust and respect, promoting her husband’s direction (Gen 2:18)

Nurture their children (Prov 31:15, 28)

Care for their home (Titus 2:5)

Christ is the perfect image of submission and nurturing.

Goal – The goal of marriage and parenting is to participate in each other’s sanctification

Intimacy – A holy gift from God to a husband and wife: exclusive, cultivated, and active

Leadership – Parents teach God’s truth and model Godliness to their family

 

Role of Children

Obey their parents (Exo 20:12, note the blessing)

Respond to parental discipline with faithfulness to God (Hebrews 12:5-11)

Think through life, ask questions, listen to wisdom (Deut 6:20)

Christ is the perfect image of obedience and faithfulness.

 

For further study – Piper’s Sex and the Supremacy of Christ, Konstenberger’s God Marriage and Family, Grudem’s Biblical Foundations for Manhood and Womanhood