"Character Matters Most in Marriage"
INTRODUCTION
This Proverbs miniseries introduces a biblical view of relationships. We will focus on topics such as the formative power of relationships, the nature of friendship, how parents and children should relate to one another, how husbands and wives should relate to one another, and how we should relate to those in authority over us.
OPENING DISCUSSION
Why do we often find ourselves instinctively drawn to physical beauty or material success before recognizing deeper qualities like integrity, kindness, or wisdom? Is it human nature, societal conditioning, or something else that makes appearances so powerful—sometimes even at the cost of overlooking genuine substance?
BIG IDEA
Character matters most in marriage.
OPENING DISCUSSION
Why do we often find ourselves instinctively drawn to physical beauty or material success before recognizing deeper qualities like integrity, kindness, or wisdom? Is it human nature, societal conditioning, or something else that makes appearances so powerful—sometimes even at the cost of overlooking genuine substance?
BIG IDEA
Character matters most in marriage.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Read Proverbs 3:1-12. The book of Proverbs is written from a king to his son, preparing the young man to grow up to be a wise and righteous ruler. Essentially, Proverbs is aimed at forming this young man in godly virtues. The assumption is that this young man will eventually become King, marry, and have children to perpetuate his dynasty. Hence, in many ways, Proverbs describes what a godly husband and father should aspire to be. A woman can read the book of Proverbs and get a picture of what to look for in a future husband.
Read Proverbs 31:10-31. One of the aspects of becoming a wise king is choosing a godly wife. In Proverbs 31, the future king’s father gives him a vision of what to look for in a spouse.
Read Ephesians 5:22-33. In this passage, the Apostle Paul gives a vision for marital life that mirrors the gospel. The wife is to submit to the loving leadership of her husband just as the church submits to Christ, and the husband is to love his wife just as Christ sacrificially loved the church.
- What character traits stand out to you from this passage?
- How do you think these characteristics would strengthen and enrich a marriage?
- If you’re a man, regardless of whether you’re married, which character traits would you most like to grow in? What steps can you take to do so?
Read Proverbs 31:10-31. One of the aspects of becoming a wise king is choosing a godly wife. In Proverbs 31, the future king’s father gives him a vision of what to look for in a spouse.
- What qualities stand out to you from this passage?
- How do you think these would strengthen and enrich a marriage?
- If you’re a woman, regardless of whether you’re married, which character traits would you most like to grow in? What steps can you take to do so?
Read Ephesians 5:22-33. In this passage, the Apostle Paul gives a vision for marital life that mirrors the gospel. The wife is to submit to the loving leadership of her husband just as the church submits to Christ, and the husband is to love his wife just as Christ sacrificially loved the church.
- What does it mean for a wife to submit to her husband?
- Why is this a hard teaching in our culture? And at its best, how can submission be a beautiful thing?
- What does it mean for a husband to love his wife like Christ loves the church?
- If you’re a married man, what steps of sacrificial love is God calling you to take right now toward your wife?
- If you’re not married, where is God calling you to exercise sacrificial Christ-like love right now?