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Some notes from the 2026 Bible conference Submission: In the Family, in the World, and to God January 3, 2026 Submission is part of the character of Christ and should be the character of the Christian. In the world, we are taught to obtain what we think is ours. However, if we imitate Christ by living with a submissive attitude, we will find much spiritual blessing in our relationships with God and with others. Conference Recordings Recordings of the conference are available for download or as CD recordings through Bible Ministry Recordings. Video and audio are also available via Grow in Grace.

First Bible study: Submission in the family | Study 2: Submission in the world | Study 3: Submission to God      Top Ephesians 5:22-6:4; Colossians 3:18-21; 1 Peter 3:1-7 [Other scriptures: Proverbs 22:6; 2 Timothy 3:15; Genesis 2:24; Exodus 20:12] Our topic of submission starts with Ephesians 5:21: "submitting to one another in the fear of God." It is an attitude that reflects Christ. We will see that submission in our relationships is always presented in connection to God, to the Lord, to Christ; and a lack of submission will undermine those relationships. In relationships, the submissive side always comes first. It represents a choice to subject our will to another, just as Christ chose to say, "Not My will" to His Father. We are not talking about a false type of submission imposed upon us by rules or by a religion. Rather, it is a privilege for the believer to represent Him in this way. Romans 8:7-9 shows that the fleshly mind cannot submit to God and therefore cannot please God. This shows that submission does please God. It is the attitude for every Christian because we are not in the flesh but in the Spirit. In the original Scripture text, the same word is sometimes used to mean that others are required to take a lower place. For example, angels and authorities are "made subject" to Christ; they have no choice (1 Peter 3:22). But in a passive or responsive sense, believers submit themselves to Him and to others because of Him. Submission is not the same as obedience, although they are related. It is not the same as meekness and humility, although they are often companions. Christ was "not rebellious" when He lived under the instruction of God (Isaiah 50:5), and this is a good explanation of submission as well. Submission means that we "get under," willingly taking a lower place and yielding leadership and authority to another. The first reference to submission is in Genesis 16, where Hagar is told to submit to Sarah-- a household scene, and the first place we learn these roles. In Ephesians 5, there is a heavenly character to a Christian marriage. The Christian comes out of the heavenlies, so to speak, to live on earth. Submission in marriage does not mean that the wife is inferior. Headship is not the same as lordship, although they are related (note Ephesians 5:22-23). Headship and submission mean that, in the partnership of marriage, the husband takes the lead in what both do together. We note in Ephesians 5 that the instruction is not related to the response of the other spouse. The husband cannot say, "I would love my wife better if she would submit;" nor can the wife say, "I would submit if he were a better husband." The verses in 1 Peter 3 show that a Christian wife would submit even to an unbelieving husband because it is a Christlike testimony to him. The reason this is emphasized is because the Christian realizes marriage is a picture of Christ and the Church. Submission is a loving response, not servitude. It is unto the Lord in a righteous way. If the wife is a "weaker" vessel (1 Peter 3:7), it implies that the husband is also weak, and this is the attitude for the marriage relationship. From the husband's side, headship is related to Christ, and love is related to Him as the Savior of the body. There is nourishing and cherishing; and there is "holding fast to the Head," if we connect the verses in Colossians 2:18 about the relationship between Christ and the Church. Some English translations use the word "submit" in some verses and the phrase "subject yourselves" in others. Although in English these expressions might have different connotations, they really come from the same original word and have the same meaning. The entire atmosphere is one of love and relationship. Ephesians 5 has one verse for the wife and a long passage for the husband. Colossians 3 has one verse for each. In 1 Peter 3 we find several verses for the wife and only one verse for the husband. All of these require divine help. Colossians 3:19 warns against bitterness from the husband, which implies that this is a real danger. In biblical history, it did not take long for the marriage relationship to be ruined by sin. It started as a loving relationship, even symbolically in the forming of Eve from Adam's rib, close to his heart. But with the entrance of sin there came independent actions, blaming, and power struggles. For centuries, women were ruled in marriage and even in society instead of loved. But look what Christ has done! The Christian era has restored what has been lost so that marriage can again be what God always intended it to be. It's easier to find a Colossian husband than an Ephesian husband: Colossians 3 tells husbands to love their wives, but Ephesians 5 tells husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the Church. The standard is high! It is a relationship of washing by the Word-- a character which is essential for all of us but is especially presented in the context of marriage. In a general way, headship implies nourishment, direction, and control; lordship implies authority and provision. In the context of marriage, these all have a place. But we notice that the wife is never instructed to "obey" her husband. In Titus 2:5, the word sometimes translated "obedient" should be the word "submissive." It is a characteristic that should be modeled and taught by older married sisters, as Titus 2 explains. The women of the Scriptures show this as well, according to 1 Peter 3. Clothes and hairstyles are fine as far as they go, but one's character really should be viewed as the true "adorning" of a Christian woman. In 1 Peter 3, Sarah actually did "obey" Abraham and call him "lord," but this was only in her heart (see Genesis 18:12). It is never a demand for wives. Single sisters, if a man tells you he wants you to call him "lord," you should go running in the other direction! However, children are indeed instructed to obey. This shows a different relationship. It's related to submission, but it also emphasizes the authority of the parents. Children and young people who do not learn submission to their parents will have a very hard time expressing this Christlike characteristic later in life. Even as adults, when we are no longer under parental authority, we must still honor our mother and father. It is a privilege to care for them when they are older, if that becomes our role. The Lord Jesus submitted to Mary and Joseph (Luke 2:51) at the age of 12-- the age when young people start to think they know everything. But it is right to obey parents in the Lord (Ephesians 6:1), and it is also well pleasing to Him (Colossians 3:20). It has always been God's standard and is the only one of the Ten Commandments that promises a blessing. If the marriage relationship is in order (Ephesians 5), then the parental responsibilities will flow from that. Fathers are especially warned against being harsh towards children and avoiding what might discourage them. This doesn't mean they will never be unhappy, but it shows that fathers must not intentionally agitate and provoke them. Ephesians 6:4 speaks about "training" (where some translations use the word "nurture"). This is really the word for discipline, for training children who are learning how to act and behave. As parents, we never ever get a day off from this responsibility. The flesh is rebellious, and parents must not allow rebellion to get a foothold. If a child says "No" to a parent and refuses to obey, it is essential to impose on that child's will (albeit in a godly way) so that obedience is maintained. Parents, do not allow your children to ignore your God-given authority. It is very demanding, but it must be done. In 1 Timothy 3 we even learn that those who do not lead their children in submission cannot be qualified as leaders among the local assembly. Family dynamics are very challenging, and there are very few models of "perfect" families even in the Bible. Young people will often recognize the failures of their parents. But even a dysfunctional family does not give us the right to stop following the Lord. In Ezekiel 18, the son of an unrighteous father can still live a righteous life before the Lord. We bring the Lord into every family relationship as we keep our eyes on Him. Second Bible study: Submission in the world | Study 1: Submission in the family | Study 3: Submission to God      Top 1 Peter 2:13-20; Ephesians 6:5-9; Colossians 3:22-4:1 We next consider the Christian's relationship with governments and employers. These things are always changing, and often we will be in difficulty with a government hostile to believers or with a work environment that marginalizes a Christian. What stays the same? It is our testimony for the Lord, which is one of submission and obedience. In 1 Peter 1:2, the fact that we are chosen by God (elect and sanctified) leads to a lifestyle of obedience that will also be displayed in these daily relationships. The passage in 1 Peter 2 says that a Christian's good works will be revealed in the day of Christ's display. What are those good works? The first one explained in that chapter is the "good work" of submission. It makes the Christian stand out. How do your friends speak about the government? Don't talk that way yourself. It's understandable to see the failures of government, but submission is a delighted, eager response to government because we are the Lord's. Romans 13:1 says that every power has been set up by God. It is false to believe that "we the people" put anyone in power, even in a democratic system. That perspective makes us think that if the politician I like is in office, then everything is good; but if one I don't like is in power, then I can complain. This is not the godly way. What about occasions when the government is clearly unjust? We have examples in Acts 4, when Peter made it plain that they would not be silenced by a demand to stop preaching. Acts 5:29 says, "We must obey God rather than men." Other examples include the young men before Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 3; Daniel's continuing prayer life in chapter 6; and even more recent examples such as Christians disobeying the Nazi government in the 1930s and 1940s. These are kingdom principles; we are living by the principles of another world. The true King will be revealed, and our hope is resting on the grace that is coming at that time (1 Peter 1:13-14). We live as "free" (1 Peter 2:16), a reference to the special freedom of believers, who have the right perspective of these earthly ordinances. We are not controlled by those ordinances, but we respond to them in submission because we are the Lord's-- and we do not use that freedom as a way to hide a rebellious spirit. Our Christian faith is not an excuse for poor behavior as citizens of our countries. The core principles of loving the brotherhood and fearing God will lead us to honor all people as well as the king (1 Peter 2:17). Then there are principles for the workplace. The New Testament setting was masters and bondslaves, which we are applying to employers and employees. There are often challenging situations for Christian workers, and we do not always have scriptural guidance in every specific situation. But the godly worker is first submissive to the Lord and then will be guided by biblical principles and godly wisdom for a personal response. Nevertheless, submission is always an appropriate response, even to employers who are poor leaders (1 Peter 3:18). We frequently want to know what we should do, but most often the Scriptures tell us what we should be. It's character that comes first. And there is a future reward for godly service in the workplace! God sees how we act at work. It is never overlooked. God often gives us the people we need in our lives in order to teach us that He is in charge. If we are only working to impress the boss, and our heart is not in it, this is not the response God wants. "Those who honor Me, I will honor," said the Lord (1 Samuel 2:30). We do learn in the Scriptures that justice and righteousness matter. Paul and Silas would not allow the governing authorities to release them in secret after beating them unjustly in public. There can be a way to speak to authorities and to employers about godly behavior. Daniel was not going to defile himself with the king's food, but he spoke patiently with his manager, so to speak, about an approach that became good for all. Sometimes at work we may be used by the Lord to speak up for such things as well. If we have authority and leadership at work, the injunction is to speak with kindness, not threats. Justice and fairness should characterize our leadership. And even if we are not bosses or managers, there is always someone above us and someone below us. The Lord sees all that we do, and in every situation we can do what honors Him. Third Bible study: Submission to God | Study 1: Submission in the familyl | Study 2: Submission in the world      Top James 4:7-10; 1 Peter 2:21-23, 5:5-7; 1 Corinthians 16:15-16 Submission to God could have been the first subject of this conference; but it's a good topic as our final focus. It's the foundation of all the other aspects of submission. In James 4, the earlier verses reveal the strife and conflict among fellow believers. The first answer for that is our submission to God. When it comes to submitting to one another, this is always exercised in the atmosphere of a gentle attitude. Only one time is submission enforced like a slave-driver-- and that is with ourselves. This fact comes from 1 Corinthians 9:27, where Paul uses a word with that meaning about bringing his own body under submission. We should be ruthless with ourselves! But it is not for us to make demands of our fellow brethren. Instead, we lovingly submit to one another, taking the lead to honor one another. It is the flesh and the devil that cause strife among the brethren (James 4:2, 7). We read about personal lusts and desires, wrong prayers, and friendships with the world. But we have the Holy Spirit, and we have Christ as our example who resisted the devil. We are called here to live out the truth of what we already possess. When the devil sees features of Christ and hears the Word of God quoted to him in reality, he can only flee. Words are a dime a dozen, but the spirit of submission to God will adjust our condition. Submitting to God means that I don't act as if my will is superior to His. And then, if we submit to God, it will lead us to repentance for any part we may have had in a conflict. This leads further to humility; and it says that God will lift up the humble. There are cause-and-effect blessings in godly submission, but God actually resists the proud. The text says we submit to God, not to the Father. This seems to emphasize God's supreme authority. It's also how James viewed himself, a "servant of God" (James 1:1). We draw near to God. This implies that we are reorienting ourselves to be close to what God is doing. We have the intention to obey Him and a continual enjoyment of His will. Drawing near was something physical in the Old Testament tabernacle and temple, but spiritually today we are coming to the place where we acknowledge God's authority. It's not that God is meeting us halfway; we must go all the way to where He has His influence (yet we also have His promise that He will draw near to us. Christ "committed Himself" to God who judges righteously (1 Peter 2:23). The word submission is not used here, but it is seen in Christ's behavior. He suffered unjustly (not here speaking of His suffering for sins but His suffering at the hands of man). It's not just the negative aspect of resisting the devil but the positive aspect of honoring God. Christ did not display a spirit of vengeance but of trust. He is specifically presented as our example in this way. Do we also trust God to make all things right in the end? Or do we force our will upon others? In a local congregation of Christians, there are some who take the lead at the direction of the Lord through the work of the Holy Spirit. As younger believers, we should submit to those in such a role. Yet there is a mutual attitude of submission too. It's the only way to get on with one another. We must "bind on humility," as one translation says in 1 Peter 5:5. It's permanent clothing! There will always be disaster when we seek influence and control. If we are younger, how good it is to receive guidance from those who take the lead among us. If we are older, how important it is to exercise that responsibility in wisdom. In 1 Kings 6, the younger men asked Elisha to accompany them, and it's good they did because he could help when a problem arose. Finally, we see the household of Stephanas in 1 Corinthians 16:15-16. The Corinthian Christians had all kinds of strife because of following others and developing partisan attitudes; but here was a family who had moral authority, and the believers ought to submit to them and anyone else like them. The evidence of their example was that they were devoted to serving the saints of God. We will never go wrong if we submit to those who have that type of character. = = = = = This third Bible study was followed by a time for additional Bible teaching. Notes from that message are below. = = = = = James 4:8 tells us to draw near to God. There are several examples in the Old Testament of those who drew near, and this will be a help to bring our hearts into this condition. First, we see in Genesis 45:1-4 that Joseph revealed himself to his brothers and said to them, "Draw near to me." It was the power of attraction. They did not realize that all their blessings had come from the one whom they had rejected so long ago. We may have forgotten this about God. But Joseph, a type of Christ, wants us to drawn near to enjoy a relationship with Him as we also enjoy the blessings. Then in Ruth 2:14, Boaz invited Ruth to come to the table and eat with him. There had been a famine, one we could say was a spiritual famine in the heart of Naomi. But now she and Ruth are back in the right place. As Ruth sits with Boaz to enjoy a meal, he passes special food only to her-- the parched grain which was his special favor. Drawing near to Christ, we will enjoy His special morsels for us. And in the Song of Solomon, the bride desires Solomon to draw her (1:4). She wants his attraction to affect her. And this affected all those who heard her as well, for they respond, "We will run after you." If we want to enjoy Christian unity and community, let us draw near to Christ together.