Lecture on Husbands, Fathers, and Marriage

Introduction

• Dr. James Dobson: Foremost interpreter of family life in the US
• Concern: Renegade males (men neglecting roles as husbands and fathers)
• Prophecy in April 1979: God waging war against witchcraft to free men for His army
• Theme: Importance of the roles of husbands and fathers

Understanding Marriage

Marriage as a Covenant

• Marriage is a covenant: solemn and binding commitment
• Biblical basis: Relationship with God, believers, and marriage
• Proverbs 2:16 and Malachi 2:13: Unfaithfulness is breaking a covenant
• Adultery vs. Fornication: Adultery is more serious due to breaking a covenant

Principles of Covenant

• Psalm 50:5: Covenant made by sacrifice
• Hebrews 9:16-17: Covenant requires death (testament)
• Genesis 15: God’s covenant with Abraham through sacrifice

Marriage Based on Sacrifice

• Christian marriage: Entered through sacrifice of Jesus
• Basis of marriage: Sacrifice and living for each other
• Wrong vs. Right approach: Focus on giving, not getting

Success in Marriage

Husband-Wife Dynamics

• Husband’s success seen in wife and vice versa
• Proverbs 31: The successful woman’s impact on husband
• Ephesians 5: Love and roles defined

Husband’s Responsibilities

• Love (Ephesians 5:25): Self-giving love
• Be the head (1 Corinthians 11:3): Decision making, direction
• Provide (1 Timothy 5:8): Material and spiritual provision
• Teach (Ephesians 5:26): Wash with the Word of God
• Nourish and cherish (Ephesians 5:29)

Wife’s Responsibilities

• Be a helper (Genesis 2:18)
• Submit (Ephesians 5:22): Within mutual submission context
• Support and encourage husband
• Intercede for husband’s success

The Home as a Model of the Church

• Family roles parallel church roles: Husband as pastor, wife as deacon
• Importance of order in families for church success

Spiritual Authority in Marriage

Dominion in Unity

• Genesis 1:27-28: Joint dominion of man and woman
• Authority through harmony (Matthew 18:18-19)
• Challenges to harmony and spiritual authority

Being Prophetic Through Marriage

• Marriage as a demonstration of Christ's relationship with the church
• Visual, prophetic role: Demonstrating the sacred relationship

Conclusion

• Importance of harmony and unity in marriage for spiritual authority and witnessing
• Encouragement to model Christ’s relationship with the church through marriage