First Comes Love - Day 07
Day 07 - Tuesday, April 16
Read Ephesians 5:21-33
Highlight
Now that Paul has given a broad picture of what it means to live as people of love by shining light on the love of Jesus, he begins to unpack examples of how this is lived out in our everyday relationships. These are commonly referred to as the ‘Household Codes’, and we’ll see these reappear as a teaching reiterated to other New Testament churches in our readings this week. Paul is helping the believers in Ephesus make their faith practical by explaining how loving and following Jesus should transform the way we love others.
He begins with what is now a famous example of the relationship between husbands and wives. Often we get stuck on what Paul means by ‘submission’, but he puts this tension to rest right away in verse 21 by instructing both husbands and wives to submit to one another because of their love for Christ. He describes the marriage relationship like a play that reenacts the Gospel relationship between Christ and the Church. The husband plays the role of Christ, who in humility sacrificed his own life for the sake of the Church he loved. The wife plays the role of the Church, who in response to this great sacrifice loves Christ by following his example. He describes this as a mystery, made knowable only through the practice of selfless love.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
Read Ephesians 5:21-33
Highlight
Now that Paul has given a broad picture of what it means to live as people of love by shining light on the love of Jesus, he begins to unpack examples of how this is lived out in our everyday relationships. These are commonly referred to as the ‘Household Codes’, and we’ll see these reappear as a teaching reiterated to other New Testament churches in our readings this week. Paul is helping the believers in Ephesus make their faith practical by explaining how loving and following Jesus should transform the way we love others.
He begins with what is now a famous example of the relationship between husbands and wives. Often we get stuck on what Paul means by ‘submission’, but he puts this tension to rest right away in verse 21 by instructing both husbands and wives to submit to one another because of their love for Christ. He describes the marriage relationship like a play that reenacts the Gospel relationship between Christ and the Church. The husband plays the role of Christ, who in humility sacrificed his own life for the sake of the Church he loved. The wife plays the role of the Church, who in response to this great sacrifice loves Christ by following his example. He describes this as a mystery, made knowable only through the practice of selfless love.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
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