I Do, but Do I? - Part 1 [Notes]

The institution of marriage seems to be falling out of favor in our culture today. With the high divorce rate and the prevalence of unhappy marriages, many wonder, “Why bother?” No marriage will be perfect, but understanding God’s design for marriage and the Biblical keys needed to make it work can make all the difference.  

Join us for “I Do, but Do I?,” a series about marriage that of us can benefit from because the qualities needed to make a strong marriage are  the same ones needed to develop good relationships in general.

Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper as his complement…”
– Genesis 2:18 (HCSB)

So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to come over the man, and he slept. God took one of his ribs and closed the flesh at that place. Then the Lord God made the rib He had taken from the man into a woman and brought her to the man. And the man said: This one, at last, is bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh; this one will be called “woman,” for she was taken from man. This is why a man leaves his father and mother and bonds with his wife, and they become one flesh. Both the man and his wife were naked, yet felt no shame.
– Genesis 2:18, 21-25 (HCSB)

Marriage: a covenant relationship between a man and a woman before God.

“Haven’t you read,” He replied, “that He who created them in the beginning made them male and female,” and He also said: “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, man must not separate.”
– Matthew 19:4-6 (HCSB)

A braid appears to contain only two strands of hair. But it is impossible to create a braid with only two strands. If the two could be put together at all, they would quickly unravel. Herein lies the mystery: What looks like two strands requires a third. The third strand, though not immediately evident, keeps the strands tightly woven. In a Christian marriage, God's presence, like the third strand in a braid, holds the husband and wife together.
– Catherine Paxton

Marriage in the eyes of God is when a man and a woman come together in a committed, exclusive relationship, intended to last a lifetime, publicly and according to the laws and customs of their community.
– David Guzik

Now Isaac was returning from Beer-lahai-roi, for he was living in the Negev region. In the early evening Isaac went out to walk in the field, and looking up he saw camels coming. Rebekah looked up, and when she saw Isaac, she got down from her camel and asked the servant, “Who is that man in the field coming to meet us?” The servant answered, “It is my master.” So she took her veil and covered herself. Then the servant told Isaac everything he had done. And Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah and took Rebekah to be his wife. Isaac loved her, and he was comforted after his mother’s death.
– Genesis 24:62-67 (HCSB)

Marriage: a covenant relationship between a man and a woman before God.

Because the Lord has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have acted treacherously against her, though she was your marriage partner and your wife by covenant.
– Malachi 2:14b (HCSB)

Marriage must be respected by all, and the marriage bed kept undefiled, because God will judge immoral people and adulterers.
– Hebrews 13:4 (HCSB)

A man who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.
– Proverbs 18:22 (HCSB)

1. Based on your understanding of the Bible, how would you define marriage?
2. Read Genesis 2:18-24, Proverbs 18:22 and Matthew 19:3-6. What are some of the wonderful blessings associated with marriage?
3. How has your marriage been a blessing to you?  How is it difficult sometimes?
4. Read Hebrews 13:4 and Malachi 2:13-16. From what do we need to protect our marriages? Why is it important that we defend and strengthen them? Why should we defend the institution of marriage?
5. What do you think we should do if we have made mistakes related to our marriages?  Why is it important we walk in forgiveness and love as we move forward?

Rattle! // Evidence // How Great is Your Love // Gratitude

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