Understanding the Family Unit in the Roman Empire. . . “patria potestas” Removing our twenty-first century glasses Unpacking Ephesians 5:22-6:9 A)Wives & Husbands(5:22-33): B)Children & Parents (6:1-4): C)Bondservants & Masters (6:5-9): The Mission of Submission LifeGroup Discussion Questions: Paul begins this section with the command in Ephesians 5:21 to "submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” How does this verse shape the way we should understand the rest of the passage? In the Greco-Roman world, the household was governed by the authority of the father and influenced by ideas from philosophers like Aristotle. How does understanding the cultural context of Paul’s time change the way you read this passage? Paul calls husbands to love their wives “as Christ loved the church.” What does Christ’s sacrificial love teach us about how marriage should function? Paul instructs fathers not to provoke their children to anger but to raise them in the “training and instruction of the Lord.” What are some practical ways parents or mentors can nurture spiritual growth in the next generation? Paul tells bondservants to work “as if you were serving the Lord.” How might viewing our work as service to Christ change our attitude toward our jobs, responsibilities, or daily tasks? Jesus redefined power through humility and sacrifice. What are some practical ways we can practice Christ-like humility and submission in our everyday relationships?