Married Apprentices of Jesus

I have been preaching about discipleship, using the term apprenticeship seeking to better communicate in contemporary language what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. Now, I am getting specific, what does it look like to be a parent who is an apprentice, married apprentices, etc. This week I am preaching about married apprentices.

As I have been studying and praying while putting this sermon together, just a few tidbits to ponder--if you are a married couple where both of you claim to be disciples, then...

• Why is "self" still center instead of "Christ?" Isn't most of your arguments and problems because one or both of you still have "self" as center in your heart?
• Why will you not do what marketers pay millions to do or what others are willing to do as they try to steal your spouse's affections, sexual relations, emotional connections, desires, or budget? It is amazing how many spouses refuse to please the other, because it is embarrassing, uncomfortable, or disliked.
• Why do you want your spouse to change, but are unwilling to change yourself? Is it easier to see your spouse's faults than your own, and elevate them higher than your own?

Just a couple of thoughts that I have had while God has been developing the sermon for this coming Sunday.

"Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." Ephesians 5:21
"The wife's body does not belong to her alone…the husband's body does not belong to him alone…" 2 Cor. 7:4
"...the wife must respect her husband." Eph. 5:33
"Husbands…be considerate…respect…so that nothing will hinder your prayers." 1 Peter 3:7
"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church..." Eph. 5:25
"…women to love their husbands." Titus 2:4
"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” Eph. 5:31