1. Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject

2. Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject

3. Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject MARRIAGE – Love Designed By God  A relationship for which we should prepare  Parents should help their children look for and date those with “honest and good hearts”… ones who will help them do right and share their goals Lk 8:15  This “preparation” is not only spiritual …parents also have physical concerns Song of Sol 8:8-9

4. Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject MARRIAGE – Love Designed By God  A relationship for which we should prepare  The teaching of Song of Sol 8:8-9  Some girls are a “wall” Ù they can say “NO”  With such a daughter, parents build upon her a “battlement” or “parapet” (reinforcements)  Made of “silver” Ù indicates her preciousness that must be guarded, defended

5. Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject MARRIAGE – Love Designed By God  A relationship for which we should prepare  The teaching of Song of Sol 8:8-9  Some girls are a “door” Ù they can’t say “NO”  With such a daughter, parents “barricade” her with walls until she can learn to protect herself and guard her reputation  These concerns are equal re: our sons

6. Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject MARRIAGE – Love Designed By God  A relationship for which we should prepare  Parents should begin early teaching their children these important principles that will help prepare them for when they eventually marry  What helped the Shulammite learn to say “NO” was her mother’s instruction Song of Sol 8:2

7. Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject MARRIAGE – Love Designed By God  The importance of dating & courtship  Dating is the final challenge parents face before their children leave home  The real purpose of dating must be taught  Today, many young people are encouraged to date for popularity, premarital sex, fun  Dating is for finding a compatible, “suitable” mate

8. Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject MARRIAGE – Love Designed By God  The importance of dating & courtship  The Song Of Solomon speaks to this necessity  The theme is stated 3 times… 2:7; 3:5; & 8:4 “Do not arouse nor awaken love until it pleases.” [NASV]  The Shulammite warns Solomon’s harem that she should not be rushed into marrying the king

9. Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject MARRIAGE – Love Designed By God  The importance of dating & courtship  The only way to allow love to be aroused (grow) is during the dating/courtship process  Dating provides the time and opportunities to really get to know someone’s “suitability”  Of course, one can’t learn everything…but, generally speaking, one can learn enough

10. Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject MARRIAGE – Love Designed By God  The Biblically stated purposes for marriage  The relationship by which the human race is propagated Gen 1:28  The solution to man’s problem of loneliness and lack of companionship Gen 2:18  The legitimate place for man to satisfy the God-given sexual appetite 1 Cor 7:2-5 Heb 13:4

11. Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject MARRIAGE – Love Designed By God  A relationship regulated by God  For a marriage to be successful, marital partners must behave in ways that are harmonize with God’s “regulations”  Remember Ù marriage is a relationship built upon promises made to God and to another  Marital conduct will be judged 2 Cor 5:10

12. Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject MARRIAGE – Love Designed By God  A relationship regulated by God  One of the most used “marriage texts” – Eph 5  Paul’s subject matter = Christ and the church, not marriage v. 32  Marriage offers the example to illustrate the importance and beauty of this relationship vv. 22-33

13. Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject MARRIAGE – Love Designed By God  A relationship regulated by God  Husbands must “love” their wives Eph 5:25a  Love = agape (sacrificial love shown for the best interest of another) Jn 3:16 Rom 5:8  Wives must “love” their husbands Titus 2:4  Love = phileo (emotional affection or good will shown to another) Mt 10:37 Jn 11:36

14. Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject MARRIAGE – Love Designed By God  A relationship regulated by God  The different “types” of love commanded for husbands & wives bears evidence of their individual strengths brought to the relationship  Men Ù task driven; love shown in sacrificial deeds done for the wife’s benefit  Women Ù relationship driven; love shown in emotional support for the husband

15. Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject MARRIAGE – Love Designed By God  A relationship regulated by God  The husband’s example – Christ Eph 5:25  He loves his wife “as Christ loved the church”  A love shown by giving of himself for her benefit  Such a love will prevent him from becoming “embittered” against his wife Col 3:19  He will know his wife’s worth Prov 18:22 Gen 2:18  This will also help her show submission

16. Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject MARRIAGE – Love Designed By God  A relationship regulated by God  How did Christ obtain a “bride” that is such a blessing to Him? Eph 5:26-27  By totally sacrificing for her  What if a husband wants this kind of wife today?  He won’t “get lucky” and fine one…he will have to sacrifice for her just as his Jesus did for His

17. Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject MARRIAGE – Love Designed By God  A relationship regulated by God  This “giving up of himself for his wife” doesn’t just mean he is willing to die for her  There are several ways a husband can “give up himself” for his wife besides physically dying  He will deny himself so that his wife can have what she needs & wants

18. Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject MARRIAGE – Love Designed By God  A relationship regulated by God  Husbands need to love their wives to the degree they love themselves Eph 5:28-30  Paul’s teaching harmonizes with what happened at “the beginning” Eph 5:31 Gen 2:24  Since a husband & wife are “one flesh”…he will love his wife as he loves his own body

19. Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject MARRIAGE – Love Designed By God  A relationship regulated by God  Husbands must also “live with their wives in an understanding way” 1 Pet 3:7  Many men exclaim “I can’t understand my wife!!”  This passages refutes that notion  Husbands must know their wives’ needs & wants… how she thinks…her strengths & weaknesses  This will enable him to lead her…love her

20. Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject MARRIAGE – Love Designed By God  A relationship regulated by God  Just because the husband is portrayed as the “stronger vessel” does not mean he is superior  He must remember his wife is also his “fellow heir of the grace of life” 1 Pet 3:7  There is no distinction in Christ Gal 3:28  A failure to recognize this hinders his prayers

21. Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject MARRIAGE – Love Designed By God  A relationship regulated by God  Interesting observation…wives are not taught to “understand their husbands”  We believe this implies women possess a greater intuitive strength in “understanding” a spouse  This emphasizes her contribution to the marital relationship…a wise husband recognizes this

22. Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject