Day 14 – Men Respecting Women

Read 1 Peter 3:1-7 & Ephesians 5:21-33

In this passage, Peter identifies three things that show up in the lives of husbands who hope in God and allow that to impact their marriage. First, Peter says they “live with their wives.” Seems at first glance like an insignificant statement, yet we often hear from women how they long for their husbands to show up physically, emotionally and spiritually. Second, this husband will work hard to know his wife. Literally Peter says to live with her in a way of knowing or understanding. He will look to know her heart, her fears, her ambitions, her curiosities, her dreams, her hurts. Many men are lousy leaders because they never take the time to really know their wives. Finally, he says these husbands will consistently honor their wives. That means we need to treasure their differences and treat them as equals. He tells these men to honor their wives as the weaker partner but as heirs with them in this life! It is so significant for husbands, that if we do not treat our wives this way, God says it will directly affect our prayers. WOW. God says if you do not treat my daughters with respect, show up and look to know them, don’t expect your prayers to be unaffected!

Q: What are three observations about the role of husbands from this passage? If you are a male, which do you believe is hardest for you to exercise?

Q: What aspects of the roles of husbands look “alien” and “foreign” to our current culture?

Q: How, in your opinion, does a 1 Peter marriage serve as a testimony of God’s love to the world?

Q: How do you think our culture teaches men to treat women? How does God say we should?