Family

Christ as the example:

For family to reflect the image of God as designed, will identify with Christ’example.

Galatians 2:20 (TPT) 20 “My old identity has been co-crucified with Messiah and no longer lives; for the nails of his cross crucified me with him . And now the essence of this new life is no longer mine, for the Anointed One lives his life through me— we live in union as one! My new life is empowered by the faith of the Son of God who loves me so much that he gave himself for me, and dispenses his life into mine!

2 Peter 1:3-4 (NIV) 3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

Husband’s Role

As Christ to the church

Ephesians 5:23 (MSG) 23 The husband provides leadership to his wife the way Christ does to his church, not by domineering but by cherishing.

Caring for as own body.

Ephesians 5:28-30 (TPT) 28 Husbands have the obligation of loving and caring for their wives the same way they love and care for their own bodies, for to love your wife is to love your own self. 29 No one abuses his own body, but pampers it—serving and satisfying its needs. That’s exactly what Christ does for his church! 30 for we are members of his body.

One Flesh

Ephesians 5:31-33 (TPT) 31 For this reason a man is to leave his father and his mother and lovingly hold to his wife, since the two have become joined as one flesh. 32 Marriage is the beautiful design of the Almighty, a great and sacred mystery— meant to be a vivid example of Christ and his church. 33 So every married man should be gracious to his wife just as he is gracious to himself. And every wife should be tenderly devoted to her husband.

Man’s glory

As a man desires for there to be a representation of his will in various ways, so the care of his wife reflects this passion in skillfully and lovingly caring for her best presentation. Care of wife vs care of car, guns, tools, etc. Man’s glory comes from what he gives the most care to.

Reflected glory

1 Corinthians 11:7 (TPT) 7 A man in leadership is under no obligation to have his head covered in the public gatherings , because he is the portrait of God and reflects his glory. The woman, on the other hand, reflects the glory of her husband,

Though positioned to glory in her care, there is no superiority in this position.

1 Corinthians 11:11-12 (TPT) 11 So then, I have to insist that in the Lord, neither is woman inferior to man nor is man inferior to woman. 12 For just as woman was taken from the side of man, in the same way man is taken from the womb of woman. God, as the source of all things, designed it this way .

Necessity of taking responsibility in leadership – through encouragement and love by the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 14:3 (TPT) 3 But when someone prophesies, he speaks to encourage people, to build them up, and to bring them comfort.

Cannot love without taking responsibility for correction in spite of potential opposition.

Hebrews 12:6-7 (TPT) 6 For the Lord’s training of your life is the evidence of his faithful love.

Actively engage in a love that refuses bitterness/offense/insensitivity.

Colossians 3:19 (TPT) 19 Let every husband be filled with cherishing love for his wife and never be insensitive toward her.

When there is aggravation and animosity as motivation in attempting to gain compliance there is little opportunity for emulating Christ’s example – both for the husband and the wife. The wife that is being forced, not willfully submitting from the heart, cannot portray the image of Christ. An unending cycle of skewed image occurs where bitterness enters the equation.

Answer – acting love – not just feeling, but acting as it has been shown in Christ.

Faith toward God and confidence in His presence is directly impacted by choice to either love or not love as a husband representing Christ – partnering in life with her.

1 Peter 3:7 (TPT) 7 Husbands, you in turn must treat your wives with tenderness, viewing them as feminine partners who deserve to be honored, for they are co-heirs with you of the “ divine grace of life,” so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

Ever in pursuit of what concerns her.

Psalms 138:8 (NKJV) 8 The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy (love), O LORD, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.

Father

Man’s role of father is most threatening to the devil because it images the role of the heavenly Father.

Not many great examples from the Old Testament – Noah, David, Samuel, Gideon, Solomon all weren’t demonstrations of fatherhood.

Entrance of referring to God as Father – Jesus as He portrayed Him.

Isaiah 9:6 (NIV) 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Jesus refers to God as Father, inspiring murder plots.

John 5:17-18 (NIV) 17 In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” 18 For this reason they tried all the more to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.

Jesus included others in referring to the Father:

The Lords prayer – “Our Father”

Your Father

John 20:17 (NIV) 17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'”

Born of God:

John 1:12-13 (NIV) 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

What is the father’s role?

Abraham chosen as father of many nations because he would direct his children in the way of the Lord.

Genesis 18:19 (NIV) 19 For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him."

Necessary to be proactive with directing children rather than avoiding interaction altogether.

Hebrews 12:6-7 (TPT) 6 For the Lord’s training of your life is the evidence of his faithful love. And when he draws you to himself, it proves you are his delightful child.” 7 Fully embrace God’s correction as part of your training, for he is doing what any loving father does for his children. For who has ever heard of a child who never had to be corrected?

Through perception of their level of understanding, bring them along to know the Lord by loving demonstrations.

Ephesians 6:4 (NIV) 4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Through empathy and compassion avoid imposing demands that only cause offense.

Colossians 3:21 (NIV) 21 Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

Gain the desired end by first giving – love.

1 John 4:19 (TPT) 19 Our love for others is our grateful response to the love God first demonstrated to us.

Fathering – represent God’s image of a shepherd.

Isaiah 40:11 (NIV) 11 He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.

John 10:11-16 (TPT) 11 I am the Good Shepherd who lays down my life as a sacrifice for the sheep. 12 (12-13) But the worker who serves only for wages is not a real shepherd. Because he has no heart for the sheep he will run away and abandon them when he sees the wolf coming. And then the wolf mauls the sheep, drags them off, and scatters them. 14 “I alone am the Good Shepherd, and I know those whose hearts are mine, for they recognize me and know me, 15 just as my Father knows my heart and I know my Father’s heart. I am ready to give my life for the sheep. 16 “And I have other sheep that I will gather which are not of this Jewish flock. And I, their shepherd, must lead them too, and they will follow me and listen to my voice. And I will join them all into one flock with one shepherd.