Introduction:

  1. Review last week’s lesson.
  2. In this week’s lesson, we will be studying the way to a happy marriage or the responsibilities of each party in the marriage relationship.

 

  1. The Specific Responsibilities and Duties of the Husband
    1. The word “husband” is a contraction of two words: “house” and “band.” The husband is a band of strength around the home—upholding, protecting, and keeping it together.
    2. The husband is the head and leader of the family (Ephesians 5:23).
      1. Abraham an example (Genesis 18:18-19). Also, Joshua is an excellent example of a father and husband who took the lead in serving God with his family (Joshua 24:15).
      2. In spite of this scriptural evidence, many times the initiative in serving God is left to the wife and mother.
    3. The husband is to support his wife and family.
      1. 1 Timothy 5:8
      2. 1 Timothy 3:7. “Honor” in this passage is the same as used in 1 Timothy 5:17-18 where it speaks of supporting elders.
      3. The money that is made by the husband is not just his to spend in gratifying his own desires while his wife and family do without.
    4. The husband is to value his wife as a God-given treasure.
      1. Proverbs 19:14; 18:22
      2. Proverbs 31:10
      3. He should let his gratitude be known to God and to her. Thomas Hood wrote to his wife, “I never was anything until I knew you.”
      4. “A good wife is heaven’s last gift to a man; his angel of mercy; minister of graces innumerable; his gem of many virtues; his casket of jewels; her voice, his sweetest music; her smiles, his brightest day; her kiss, the guardian of innocence; her arms, the pale of his safety, the balm of his health, the balsam of his life; her industry, his surest wealth; her economy, his safest steward; her lips, his faithful counselor; her bosom the softest pillow of his cares; and her prayers, the ablest advocates of heaven’s blessing on his head.”‘
    5. The husband is to be considerate of his wife, bestowing honor on her as the weaker vessel (1 Peter 3:7).
      1. The wife is the weaker vessel in that she is more delicate, smaller physically, possesses finer features, finer sensibilities, and is more delicately poised emotionally.
      2. How can the husband show honor unto his wife?
        1. By showing sympathy and understanding.
        2. Making her a shadow of all of his light.
        3. Showing tenderness, affection, appreciation, and kindness.
        4. Being worthy of her.
    6. A husband is to love his wife (Ephesians 5:25-29).
    7. A husband can learn much from observing that God was a husband to Israel.
      1. Jeremiah 31:32
      2. He was their provider, protector and leader.
  2. Responsibilities and Duties of the Wife
    1. Woman is the final and finest portion of God’s creation, the climax of his handiwork and the masterpiece of his creative power. Woman in her best surpasses any other creature on earth in beauty, charm, tenderness, and virtue. Almost always, behind every imminent and good man is a good wife.
    2. The wife is to honor, respect, and reverence her husband.
      1. Ephesians 5:33
      2. Sarah is an example of this (1 Peter 3:6).
      3. This respect is shown in the following ways:
        1. By fulfilling her obligations in the home.
        2. By being in subjection to him.
        3. By wearing his name.
    3. The wife is to be a mother and keeper at home.
      1. 1 Timothy 5:14
      2. Titus 2:4-5
      3. Women should not look upon this as inferior to the careers of others, for being a good mother and a keeper of the home glorifies God and perpetuates His creation.
      4. A good housekeeper is not a house wrecker.
      5. She should keep a tidy house, maintaining an atmosphere of love, happiness, friendliness and cheerfulness.
      6. A nagging wife who is slovenly in appearance, who is constantly on the go, and who shows little interest in her home, her husband, and work, has given an occasion for blasphemy.
    4. The wife is to help her husband.
      1. Genesis 2:18
      2. 1 Corinthians 11:8-9
      3. Woman finds her fullest expression and greatest happiness as the companion and helper of man, the field for which she is best equipped.
    5. The wife is to obey or be in subjection to her husband.
      1. Ephesians 5:22, 24; Colossians 3:18
      2. 1 Corinthians 11:3; 1 Timothy 2:12
      3. 1 Peter 3:5-7
      4. Genesis 3:16
  3. Mutual Duties of Husbands and Wives that Will Assure Happiness
    1. Love each other.
      1. Ephesians 5:25, 28-29; Titus 2:4
      2. Jacob as an example (Genesis 29:20).
      3. Love the main pillar and support of the home.
      4. 1 Corinthians 13
        1. For contrast, read one of the modern speech translations of this text.
        2. Make an analysis of 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 giving a definition or explanation of each characteristic of love.
    2. Be not bitter to each other.
      1. Colossians 3:19
      2. Each should seek to make the other happy (Deuteronomy 24:5).
    3. Be faithful to each other (1 Corinthians 7:2, 3).
    4. Follow the Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12).
    5. Keep the honor and credit good (Romans 13:8).
    6. Be happy with each other.
      1. Proverbs 5:18
      2. Proverbs 15:13
      3. “Don’t grouch before breakfast … or after either.”
    7. Live, pray, work, and grow together.
    8. Be pure.
      1. 1 Corinthians 7:2-3
      2. Remember that God has no double standard.
    9. Do nothing you would not do if your wife or husband were present.
    10. Keep each other’s full confidence.
    11. Be truthful with each other for a happy home cannot be built on lying, deception, etc.
    12. Do not quarrel.
      1. “Avoid the little quarrels and the big ones will take care of themselves” (Judge Joseph Sabbath).
      2. Proverbs 16:24
      3. Ephesians 4:26
      4. “Be slow to anger” (Proverbs 16:32; James 1:19-20).
      5. Proverbs 17:1
    13. If you do wrong, be quick to say, “I’m sorry” (James 5:16).
    14. Be quick to forgive.
      1. Ephesians 4:32
      2. Matthew 6:12-15
    15. Remember that you are both human and mistakes will be made.
    16. Build your home on a deep, strong religious faith.
    17. Observe the “Ten Commandments for the wife” and the “Ten Commandments for the husband.”