Dear Beloved in Christ,
I thought I’d share today’s study in the form of an open letter. As you walk this journey of faith, I want to encourage and strengthen you with the truths we hold dear, the mysteries that have been revealed to us, and the great hope we have in Christ Jesus.
The Noble Task of Serving God
The calling to follow Christ is a noble task (1 Timothy 3:1). Whether we are entrusted with leadership or called to humbly serve, every act of faithfulness matters. God does not look at outward status, but at the heart—at those who hold firm to the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience (1 Timothy 3:9). Service in the Lord’s house is not about status but about faithfulness, integrity, and love.
Let us not be like Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11), who sought recognition rather than truth and whose deception led to their downfall. Instead, let us serve as Phoebe did (Romans 16:1-2), a faithful servant and benefactor of many, including Paul himself. Phoebe was entrusted with important responsibilities in aiding the ministry, providing resources, and serving the church with honor. Let us also look to Stephen and Philip, who were appointed to serve and were powerfully used by God (Acts 6:1-6).
God’s Household: A Family of Truth
You are not alone in this journey. You belong to the household of God (1 Timothy 3:15), a family built on Christ Himself, the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). The church is not a human institution, but the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, a pillar that upholds the gospel in a world filled with deception.
Paul reminds us that leadership and service in God’s household require integrity and humility. A deacon, an elder, and every believer must first lead their own lives and families well (1 Timothy 3:4-5). Faithfulness in the small things leads to greater trust in the kingdom of God (Luke 16:10).
God’s Calling for Men and Women: Honor and Responsibility
God has designed men and women uniquely, each with responsibilities toward one another and in the family. Marriage, family, and the church reflect God’s order and His perfect wisdom.
The Role of Men: Leadership in Love
📖 Ephesians 5:25-28 (NIV)
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.”
Men are called to:
• Lead with sacrificial love—not with dominance, but with the selfless heart of Christ.
• Provide for and protect their families (1 Timothy 5:8).
• Teach and uphold God’s truth within the home (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).
A godly man does not seek his own gain, but nurtures, strengthens, and defends his household with wisdom, gentleness, and courage. He is first a servant, leading as Christ leads—not in pride, but in love.
The Role of Women: Strength in Godliness
📖 Proverbs 31:26-28 (NIV)
“She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.”
Women are called to:
• Be the heart of the home, offering guidance, love, and spiritual wisdom (Titus 2:3-5).
• Support their husbands and lead their children in godliness (Proverbs 31).
• Serve in ways that honor God’s design—whether in hospitality, teaching other women, or aiding the church as Phoebe did (Romans 16:1-2).
A godly woman nurtures faith within the family, using her strength and wisdom to build up those around her, rather than tearing down. Her influence is powerful, shaping generations.
Men and Women: Partners in Christ
Though men and women have distinct roles, they are equal in value before God (Galatians 3:28). Their differences are not a competition but a complement—working together to glorify Christ.
A husband honors his wife as a precious gift from God (1 Peter 3:7). A wife respects her husband in the same way the church submits to Christ (Ephesians 5:22-24). Both are accountable before God for how they love, serve, and lead.
Intimacy in Marriage: A Gift from God
Marriage is not only a partnership in responsibilities but also a sacred bond that includes physical intimacy. Paul gives clear guidance that husbands and wives are not to deprive one another, except for short seasons of prayer and fasting.
📖 1 Corinthians 7:3-5 (NIV)
“The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife. Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.”
Key Lessons on Intimacy in Marriage:
1. Physical intimacy is a blessing from God and strengthens the bond between husband and wife.
2. Both spouses should consider the needs of the other and not act selfishly.
3. There may be times for temporary abstinence (for prayer and fasting), but it must be by mutual agreement.
4. Satan seeks to create division in marriages—intimacy within marriage is a protection against temptation.
God designed marriage as a reflection of Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:32). Just as Christ loves and nourishes the church, husbands and wives are called to love, serve, and remain faithful to one another in all aspects of life—including intimacy.
Final Encouragement
Press on, dear traveler. Run the race set before you with endurance, knowing that we are not working for the approval of men, but for the reward of our Lord (Galatians 1:10). If you grow weary, remember:
📖 “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)
May Christ be your confidence. May His truth be your foundation. May His Spirit sustain you until the day we see Him in glory.
With love and encouragement in Christ,
John Schmidt