RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL
LESSON THIRTY-FIVE
SUNDAY, 30TH APRIL 2017

TOPIC: PRECIOUS RELATIONSHIP

MEMORY VERSE: ‘’Nevertheless let evry one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband." - Ephesians 5:33

BIBLE PASSAGE: Ephesians 5:22-23

INTRODUCTION:
Discussions on Christian living will be incomplete without a thorough discussion on family life. This is an institution that the Lord Jesus Christ likened to the relationship between Him and His church. May the Holy Spirit teach and bless us the more, in Jesus' name.

LESSON OUTLINES
1. The wife in true submission
2. The loving husband
3. The king's Children

THE WIFE IN TRUE SUBMISSION
The true Christian wife must recognise and joyfully accept the God-ordained headship of the husband and be submissive (1Peter 3:1; Colossians 3:18; 1Timothy 2:11-14). The scope of the submission should be as unto the Lord Jesus in everything. Other qualities of the wife include obedience (1Peter 3:1), reverence (Ephesians 5:33; 1Peter 3:5), humility in outward appearance (1Peter 3:4; 1Timothy 2:9). The true Christian wife should adorn herself with meekness, quiet and prayerful spirit only, which will make greater impact in the home, church and the nation (1Peter 3:4; Titus 2:5). Other qualities are purity and holiness (Titus 2:4-5; 1Peter 3:5), loveliness (Titus 2:4; Songs 1:6-7), mother's heart (Psalm 128:3; 1Samuel 2:19; Proverbs 6:20-25), diligence and dependability (Psalm 144:11-12; Proverbs 12:14; 31:30-31), hospitality (Psalm 31:20; 2Kings 4:8-10) and prayerfulness (Matthew 15:22-28; Acts 1:14).

THE LOVING HUSBAND
The husband, by godly plan, is the head of the wife (Ephesians 5:23; 1Corinthians 11:3). It has nothing to do with education, talent or wealth. The husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the Church (Romans 5:6-10). He must love in sickness, pain, sorrow or weakness. His love must be sacrificial (Ephesians 5:25; Philippians 2:5-8 ). The love must not be because of what the man can get from the woman but be God-ordained. The head stays with the body until death (Ephesians 5:28-29,31). Where the home is blessed with children, the husband is to train them and not to provoke them to wrath (Colossians 3:21).

THE KING'S CHILDREN
In the family also are children who must be trained and nurtured in the fear of God (Proverbs 22:6). They are God's heritage and blessed is the family where they are found (Psalm 127:3-7; Psalm 128:1-6). They are the crown of old age and the glory of their fathers (Proverbs 17:6). Of them also is the kingdom of Heaven - (Matthew 19:14). God commands them to obey their parents in the Lord (Ephesians 6:1; Colossians 3:20).

CONCLUSION:
The family life is a precious relationship ordained by God. How is yours? You can prayerfully answer the question today as you turn to the perfect architect and master builder, that is, the Lord Jesus Christ, who can perfect all about your home.

QUESTIONS
1. What is the Lord's command to the wife? Justify with scriptures.
2. What other qualities should a Christian wife possess?
3. What is the responsibility of the husband in the family?