1. 

Read v. 18 along with 1 Corinthians 11:3.  Paul could have stopped at saying, “Wives, submit to your husbands.”  Yet, why do you think Paul added the qualifying statement: “as is fitting in the Lord”? (1Cor 7:32-35)

2. 

Read v. 19 and compare this passage with Ephesians 5:25-32.  What does this comparison show us about the way for husbands to obey these commands?

3.

Read v. 20.  Is it possible to please one’s parents and not please the Lord, if one’s parents are not yielded to the Lord?  Why?  

4. 

Read v. 21. Think about the ways in which fathers (which also can be translated as ‘parents’ as it is in Hebrew 11:23) embitter their children.  Why do you think Paul says, “or they will become discouraged”?  (Mark 9:37, 10:14)   

5. 

Read vs. 22-24.  Slavery was an established institution in Paul’s day. Why didn’t the church of that day openly oppose it? (John 8:32-34; 1Cor 7:20-22)

6.

Read 3:22-24 again.  In our society we do not have slaves.  Yet, what spiritual applications can employees learn from the following statements: 

“obey your earthly masters in everything”; 

“and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord; 

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men”; 

“since you know you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward”;  

 “It is the Lord Christ you are serving”; 

 “Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong”; and 

“There is no favoritism”? 

7.

Read 4:1. This passage says that because the masters of this world have a Master in heaven, they ought to provide those under them with what is right and fair.  Why? (Eph 6:9)