People Matter
Opening Prayer
Give thanks to God today for the happy, fulfilling relationships in your life.
Read Colossians 3:18-4:1
[18] Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. [19] Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. [20] Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. [21] Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. [22] Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. [23] Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, [24] since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. [25] Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism. [1] Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What instructions does Paul have for members of a household?Consider the norms in society in Paul’s day. When a woman marries, she and all her possessions became the property of her husband. He also owned any children they had, holding the power of life and death over them. Likewise with slaves: they were considered property, and as such they could be well or poorly treated at their owner’s whim. It’s interesting that the head of the house, the person with all the power, is addressed in three capacities–as husband, father, and master. In each of these relationships, he is encouraged to behave in a way markedly different from how he might have been behaving if he were typical for the time. On the other hand, the people with no power–wives, children, and slaves–are encouraged to be obedient because it “pleases the Lord” (20). Finally, in his capacity as master, the head of the household is reminded of his own Master, Jesus Christ (4:1). All of this indicates that a person’s primary relationship is with Christ, regardless of whom he or she lives with, works for, or has a responsibility toward. This relationship should then influence how the person conducts other relationships.
Apply
Who do you know who is struggling in a relationship with a family member, a friend, or a co-worker? (Maybe it’s you.)
Closing prayer
Pray for the Lord to restore love, harmony, and order in a relationship under his authority.
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Discovery is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.