Sunday Morning Study: Week 3

Week 3 of the Sunday morning ladies' study--this is my last chapter of notes, and then I should be on a more regular schedule of just Sundays.

This chapter is the first in a series of three about types of men. Debi Pearl classifies men within three general categories: the Prophet (Mr. Visionary), the Priest (Mr. Steady), and the King (Mr. Command). This is something of a personality and 'type' sketch--most guys, I've noticed, are a combination of traits but more lean more heavily in one than the other. The idea in these chapters is to get an idea of how a guy 'works' within a type, and then adjusting oneself according to complement his traits. 

(The three categories reflect the triune nature of God, with king=God, priest=Jesus, and prophet=Holy Spirit)

The 'prophet' type is a mover and shaker, desiring to change the status quo, thriving on confrontation and a need to express themselves through some form of creativity. They're always coming up with crazy business ventures and inventions, focusing on random issues, etc. This kind of guy is a huge amount of fun and a huge headache at the same time, to be honest...I know several people who are like this, and I'm always either inspired or frustrated by them (sometimes at the same time!).

The role of the wife if she's married to this type is to watch her conversation (i.e., don't talk badly about people) because her words have a lot of impact, and while she's his #1 cheerleader she also keeps him grounded.

I'd like to interject here that I think the role of the wife is the same no matter who she's married to--but certain characteristics needs to be cultivated more strongly and given more attention depending on the type of man she marries. As for me and the prophet type...like I said earlier, I'm always inspired and frustrated simultaneously by them. If I was married to one, it'd take a lot of adjusting.

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Chapter 3: The Prophet

Focus: The prophet-natured man

Conversation: 1. An informal spoken exchange of thoughts and feelings; a familiar talk

2. Social intercourse; close association

3. Manner of life; behavior

Behavior: 1. The manner in which one behaves; deportment; demeanor

2. The actions or reactions of persons or things under specified circumstances

Synonyms: Behavior (actions on specific occasions involving essentially external/sometimes superficial relationships);

Conduct (applies to actions in more significant relationships considered from standpoint of morals and ethics);

Deportment (actions measured by prevailing social code)

Matthew 12:36 -- ^"A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken."

(this is regarding conversation--a wise wife knows when to build up and when to tear down. Plus, if she's saying good things (ideas, compliments, having a realistic optimism) instead of bad (complaining, finding fault, being a wet blanket about life), her husband is far more inclined to enjoy her company)

1 Timothy 4:12 -- "Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity."

(Start learning while young to have 'chaste conversation'! If a girl is married to a prophet-type her words can stir up his anger against herself or others. This isn't to have a Pollyanna-type look on life. It's to realize that it's not important to 'be right' or 'have the last word' or 'look better than everyone else'; the important thing is to remain flexible, smile when you feel slighted, store up your treasures in heaven, and ignore the things that don't matter)

Ephesians 2:3 -- "All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature [ Or our flesh ] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath."

Ephesians 4:22-32 -- "You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. 
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption^. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.^"
 

^{(This is a reminder to not let conversation be ruled by the lusts of the flesh)}

^{Philippians 1:27 -- "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel."}

 ^{1 Peter 1:15 --  "But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do..."}

^{(Link between our conversation and the gospel)}

^{Hebrews 13:5 -- "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,}

“Never will I leave you;
    never will I forsake you.” "

(This reminds us to be content)

James 3:13-18 -- ^"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. ¹⁶ For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.<sup>"

(This is the link between wisdom and conversation)
  
1 Peter 3:1-2 --"Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives."

1 Peter 3:16 -- "But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander."

 (Conversation without words)</sup> 
 

^{Some of the traits that the wife of the prophet type needs to have:}

^Flexibility

^Loyalty

^{The ability to go with the flow}

^Supportive

^{Enjoying the trip}

^{Thinking objectively with common sense}

^{Staying positive and grounded}

^{Guarding against idle/negative conversation}

^{Be tough and inoffensive (not easily given to offense)
 Listen and cheerlead}

^{Faithfulness in God and her husband's ability}

^{Purposefulness with own life}