Check out the accompanying small group video-based study and printable study guide, The Head of the Woman Is the Man.
We all have an idealized picture of what life should be like – free of problems and suffering. And the world tends to expect perfection from women who have less than perfect circumstances. But the Bible is filled with examples of women who dealt with the exact same problems we deal with today. So does the Bible say that men are pigs? No. There are many godly men in Scripture, but it’s impossible for men to understand all that women deal with emotionally and spiritually in a broken world.
The Unrealistic Ideal Woman…
A certain physical shape, form, and appearance, and handles stress perfectly while managing a complex organization (the family).
Real Bible women…
- Sarah’s husband lied about who she was and tried to give her children using the household maids.
- Rachel’s husband married and slept with her sister and didn’t even realize it until the next morning.
- Rahab was a prostitute, used and abused by the men of her city (Jericho) but wound up in the lineage of Christ.
- Naomi was widowed at an early age and cast aside by society, also in the lineage of David.
- Hannah was barren, unable to have kids, while her husband’s insensitivity was nearly unbearable, until God gave them Samuel.
God’s Real Values for Women…
In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over by observing your pure and reverent lives. Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, wich is so precious to God. This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful. They trusted God and obeyed their husbands. For instance, Sarah obeyed her husband, Abraham, and called him her master. You are her daughters when you do what is right without fear of what your husbands might do. In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.
– 1 Peter 3:1-7 NLT
- Value the gospel.
- Value a Christlike life.
- Value the heart.
- Value your family.
A Message for Men…
- Honor your wife.
- Understand your wife.
- Protect your wife.
- Value your wife.