April 17, May 1, 2005
"My Wife Needs A Makeover"
Extreme Makeover Family Edition—Part 3
Titus 2:4
I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
—Jeremiah 29:11-13
Review (H - U - S - B - A - N - D):
- Honor
- Understanding
- Security
- Building unity
- Agreement
- Nuture
- Defend
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
—Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Hymn to a Good Wife
A good woman (wife) is... worth more than diamonds. Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it.
—Proverbs 31:10-11
How to Demonstrate God's Love for Your Husband (W - I - F - E)
Warm his life with your love.
...teach what is proper, so the younger women will be loving wives...
—Titus 2:4
Improve his life with your help.
The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."
—Genesis 2:18
Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life.
—Proverbs 31:11 (NLT)
Follow his leadership with your willing heart.
Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.
—Ephesians 5:22
A house divided against itself will fall.
—Luke 11:17
Esteem him with your respect.
Every wife must respect her husband.
—Ephesians 5:33
Show proper respect to everyone...
—1 Peter 2:17
Lifework
"Your assignment from God is not to change your husband, but to love, follow, assist, and minister to him."
—Elizabeth George
"Give yourselves completely to God... to be used for His good purposes."
—Romans 6:13 (LB)
My commitment: Today I realized that God wants to makeover this area in my life. (____________________) I will begin the process of change with this action plan:
1. ___________________________________
2. ___________________________________
3. ___________________________________
Extreme Makeover Family Edition—Week 3
Personal and Group Study
Getting Started
- Which TV family did you enjoy watching the most when you were growing up? How were they like or different from your own family?
Digging Deeper: Read Titus 2:1-8
- What qualities does Titus teach to women young and old in the church? What methods might he employ to do this job?
- Why does Paul encourage Titus to use mentors to minister in so many lives? What type of instruction does Paul give to women in different seasons of life? Why do you think "self-control" is repeated over and over to so many different people?
- Read Ephesians 5:22-33. Compare Paul's instruction to women in verse 22 to Ephesians 5:1 and 21. What are Paul's basic instructions to wives in this passage?
- What is the hardest part of being a woman in following the Bible's commands? How does the wife's role differ from that of the husband's role? How are they similar?
- Wives are admonished to respect their husbands. Peter admonishes husbands to respect their wives so their prayers will not be hindered? What is the consequence if a wife disrespects her husband?
Applying It To My Life
- Who has taught you in practical ways what it means to be a Christian? How has that mentor helped you? Who could you help now?
- How has the women's movement helped women today? How has it hurt women today? How has the movement brought the Bible's instruction to women into question?
- If you are doing this study in a small group, gals share one commitment you have made during this study.