Acts 11:25–26 (NIV) Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So, for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

A characteristic of a disciple of Jesus is humility/submission to Jesus–CHRIST in the five spheres

Remember God is our creator and designer – Matthew 7:24–25 (NIV)

1.  God is the designer
2.  God’s design is for our good and the good of others – He wants our lives to be stable

• He desires that we obey because we love Him and others

The 5 Spheres – the book of Ephesians

God wants us to follow Him into His design for all of our lives

1. Abiding Sphere (continuing relationship with God through Christ)

• In Him – under His authority and design – His identity/my identity – attitude –purpose
• As we abide it directs and empowers the building of His design in and through us in the other spheres
• The power and directions for building every other part comes from here
• Under Him – abiding includes ongoing obedience

Ephesians 1:7–10 (NIV) John 14:23–24 (NIV)

2. The Church Sphere

• Remember why the Holy Spirit puts church before home (last week)
• As we abide God gives His direction and power to build the church sphere
• Humility before His design – His identity – my identity–attitude – purpose

Ephesians 1:22–23 (NIV)

3. The Home sphere

• Humility is the key – how to submit one to another in the following
• Why does he start with women?

Ephesians 5:21–6:4 (NIV) Genesis 3:16 (NIV) Ephesians 5:22-6:4 (NIV)

King Jesus has a command for us – a design for our Home Sphere

1.  Two holy ways of living – chastity in singleness and faithfulness in marriage
2.  Husbands and wives – two sexes
3.  Submit how out of reverence for Christ – His design — attitude – purpose
4.  Humility in our roles within the home

Designs – Characteristics

1. Design: Wives submit to your husbands as to the Lord

Attitude — Respect them – a choice and not conditional

• • Remember we revere God in whatever we do – fear Him – worship Him – if we must choose God or husband choose God
  • Attitude – reverence for God and respect for your husband

2. Design: Husbands as head – authority

Attitude — Lay down your lives for your family

Attitude — Love (biblical love is self-sacrificing) – a responsibility rather than a privilege

• • To make her – they holy

3. Design: Children – obey (as children early)

Attitude — To honor your father and mother always

4. Design: Parents (fathers – responsibility) – multiply those who have been trained and instruction of the Lord

Attitude — Do not exasperate, discourage, but point them to the Lord

Design: Singles — Single home – never alone

• Remember you have a physical family to honor (parents)
• Remember that we are called brothers and sisters in Christ and if we are not married and have no family, we still have a role to play in multiplication
• Families in dealing with singles

Ephesians 2:19–21 (NIV)

To learn how to be these things takes humility and commitment to grow in our discipline and understanding of His instructions

Your next steps

• Have you been submitted to King Jesus (the Christ) for your design?
• Role and heart attitude? Do you need to humble yourself and seek guidance for what next?

For discussion with your small group, family, and friends.

Ice Breaker suggestion: When did you get your first traffic ticket? Share the details. ☺

Passages: Philippians 2:3,4; Ephesians 5:1,2 & 21; Ephesians 5:22-30 & Ephesians 6:1-4; Psalm 68:4-6

Questions to discuss:

1.  Share something from the sermon that was significant to you.
2.  Whether you are married, single, kids, no kids, blended family, empty nesters, or grandparents we each get to be humble, intentional followers of Jesus in our home sphere. What has shaped your idea of home? A) ‘Home sphere’ relationships are places where we know and are known at a deeper level. What relationships are in your ‘home sphere’?
3.  Read Philippians 2:3,4 & Ephesians 5:1,2 & 21 What do these passages tell us about humility and relationships? A) How does your walk with Jesus impact how you interact with the people in ‘home sphere’ like family and close friends? B) How do the people in your ‘home sphere’ impact your walk with Jesus?
4.  Read Ephesians 5:22-30 & Ephesians 6:1-4. What are the roles described in this passage? How does humility play a part in each role described? A) Who has modeled humility to you, particularly in the home sphere?
5.  Read Psalm 68:4-6. What does this passage add to our understanding of the home sphere? A) How might you consider expanding your home sphere to include other people?
6.  What is your plan of response to what you heard or discussed?