ORIGINS: Small Group Bible Study

Marriage: A Gift From Eden

And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. (Genesis 2:18 KJV)

Lesson Nine

Marriage was a gift to the first man and woman and remains a gift to men and women today.

Photo credits: Hannah Goldstein

Jesus, Provider & Sustainer

Sharing Studying Praying Witnessing

Intro...
1. Welcome God's presence. 2. Share the BEST and WORST thing that happened to you this week. If a need for prayer is expressed take time to pray for that individual and need on the spot.

Key text...

And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. (Genesis 2:18 KJV)

Scripture Passages...

Genesis 1-2; Proverbs 3:5-6; 16:3, 9; Isaiah 44:24; Ezekiel 16; Matthew 17:20; 22:34-40; Mark 10:6-9; John 3:16-17; Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 13:4-8; Ephesians 5:20-33; Galatians 2:20; Hebrews 11:1; James 1:5-8; 2:17-18, 20; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 John 4:7-11; Revelation 19:5-9.

Todays World...

The book of Genesis is a book about beginnings: the beginning of our world and humankind, the beginning of sin, and the beginning of salvation for the lost human race. Its also a book about relationships: the relationship between God and His creation, the relationship between

God and the humans He created, and the relationship between husband and wife. Throughout the Bible, the marriage relationship is affirmed and is also used as a symbol of the intimate but sometimes difficult relationship between God and His people.

Lesson Impact...
Briefly share what points stood out for you in the lesson or how the lesson study has influenced you.

Quotes...

Before man had any other calling he was called to be a husband.

Henry Smith

The woman was made of a rib out of the side of Adam; not made out of his head to rule over him, nor out of his feet to trampled on by him; but out of his side to be equal to him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be love.
Matthew Henry

A mans children are pieces of himself, but his wife is himself.

Matthew Henry

Marriage is our last, best chance to grow up.

Joseph Barth

What greater thing is there for two human souls than to feel that they are joined for lifeto strengthen each other in all labor, to rest on each other in all sorrow, to minister to each other in all pain, to be one with each other in silent, unspeakable memories at the moment of the last parting?
George Eliot

One plus one equals one may not be an accurate mathematical concept, but it is an accurate description of Gods intention for the marriage relationship.
Wayne Mack

Christ, The Definition Of Love...

Read carefully Ephesians 5:20-33. Not experiencing Christ and His love leaves us unable to love fully. Read prayerfully 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. Christ gave everything for us, His church, so must spouses give all of themselves to each other. In marriage, both the husband and the wife are to reflect Christs love for each other. We are to honour God by including Him in our marriages. We must let Him guide us to our future spouse. God is love and He makes all the difference, not just in helping us to make a marriage work, but in making it a gift from heaven. As you study about marriage, you may either be able to enrich the marriage that you have, or learn how to successfully enter into a marriage to come; and through the metaphor of marriage, this study will help you better understand the relationship that Christ has with His church. Read again 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, but this time replace the words love or charity with your name, and as you do so, be honest with yourself about which characteristics of love you lack. Then ask God to help you develop these

characteristics, which are really characteristics of Christ. What we learn in a marriage about how to grow and to get along with one another is transferable to all of our other relationships. God wants us to be helpers to one another. In this way, every day can be a little piece of heaven. Theres no room for selfishness in a marriage. A marriage is a perfect environment for self-improvement. Living with a spouse who has different ideas and desires, and who comes from a background different from yours is not easy, however, differences are opportunities to grow, to learn more about the variety life has to offer, and to discover more about your own and each others personality. A marriage isnt always a honeymoon, but God still wants us to explore the beauty that such a relationship has to offer. He wants us to learn that in a marriage we can use our skills and imagination, our gifts and oneself as a whole person, to be a helper suited for our spouse. Heres three steps to having healthy marriages and families STEP 1: MATTHEW 22:3440 Put God first in your life. When we love God above all else, He can help you love the way you should. In fact, you are not keeping Gods law if, through the help of the Holy Spirit, you do not cultivate love for God and for other people. STEP 2: JOHN 4:7-11 Love one another as He loves us. As a child of God, you love as He loves youunselfishly. And just as He loved you

enough to send you His only Son to save you, so you should love your spouse enough to give your all to him or her. STEP 3: REVELATION 19:5-9; GALATIANS 2:20; JAMES 2:17-18, 20 Make yourself ready. Marriage and family are the single biggest and longest investment you make and yet hardly any invests in it the same way they would if they wanted a particular career or job. Get ready in advance.

Lessons In Love...
Carefully read Genesis 2:1-10. What principle can we lean from Gods example that is fundamental for anyone wanting to get married? Carefully read Genesis 1:1, 4, 10, 21, 25. Whats the key phrase? Now read again Genesis 2:18. What principle can we learn? The Hebrew word for helper used in Genesis 2:18 is zer and can be translated as corresponding to man or equal to him.
V. P. Hamilton, Handbook on the Pentateuch (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Academic, 2005), p. 29

Read carefully Genesis 2:21-25. What principles can we learn from this passage? And what do these principles mean to you?

God made from man a woman, to be a companion and helpmeet for him, to be one with him, to cheer, encourage, and bless him. And he in his turn is to be her strong helper. All who enter the matrimonial life with a holy purpose, the husband to obtain the pure affection of a womans heart, the wife to soften and improve her husbands character, and give it completeness, fulfil Gods purpose for them.
Ellen G. White, The Marriage in Cana of Galilee, The Signs of the Times, September 6, 1899 par. 12

The phrase bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh was often used in Old Testament times to describe an affirmation of loyalty and relation. In other words, Adam was expressing that he would be loyal to Eve for life. His response was an oath, a covenant, never an arbitrary relationship of convenience.

V. P. Hamilton, Handbook on the Pentateuch (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Academic, 2005), p. 29

As the Creator joined the hands of the holy pair in wedlock, saying, A man shall "leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one," He enunciated the law of marriage for all the children of Adam to the close of time. That which the eternal Father Himself had pronounced good was the law of highest blessing and development for man.
Ellen G. White, The Adventist Home, p.340

Read and carefully analyse Mark 10:6-9. Now focus on verses 8-9, and as you do, read again Genesis 2:18, 22. How can we ensure marriage has been joined by God? As you think about your answer, also consider the following: Proverbs 3:5-6; 16:3, 9; Isaiah 44:24;

Matthew 17:20; Hebrews 11:1; James 1:5-8; and, Romans 15:4. I have often read these words: "Marriage is a lottery." Some act as if they believed the statement, and their married life testifies that it is such to them. But true marriage is not a lottery. Marriage was instituted in Eden. When the Lord presented Eve to Adam, angels of God were witnesses to the ceremony. But there are few couples who are completely united when the marriage ceremony is performed. The form of words spoken over the two who take the marriage vow does not make them a unit. In their future life is to be the blending of the two in wedlock. It may be made a really happy union, if each will give to the other true heart affection.
Ellen G. White, In Heavenly Places, p.203

Finding a partner isnt just about God providing you with a spouse, its much more about you co-operating with God so that your character, your mindset, your attitude, is fit for purpose. The delay may be due to your lack of willingness to genuinely submit to God on His terms, not yours. As you read Genesis 2:19-20 we discover that before God made Eve, Adam had work to do, and in a similar vein if you think about it, so do you!

Results of Unwise Courtship & Marriage...

We can see that innumerable difficulties meet us at every step. The iniquity that is cherished by young as well as old; the unwise, unsanctified courtship and marriages cannot fail to result in bickerings, in strife, in alienations, in

indulgence of unbridled passions, in unfaithfulness of husbands and wives, unwillingness to restrain the selfwilled, inordinate desires, and in indifference to the things of eternal interest. The holiness of the oracles of God is not loved by very many who claim to be Bible Christians. They show by their free, loose conduct that they prefer a wider scope. They do not want their selfish indulgences limited.
Ellen G. White, The Adventist Home, p.53-54

Christ, Marriage, & His Church...

Why does the Bible compare the relationship between God and His church to marriage? Christ honored the marriage relation by making it also a symbol of the union between Him and His redeemed ones. He Himself is the Bridegroom; the bride is the church, of which, as His chosen one, He says, Thou art all fair, My love; there is no spot in thee. [Song of Sol. 4:7].
Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, p. 356

Read John 3:16-17 and 2 Peter 3:9. Does God ever give up on His church? Now picture this a couple has been dating for quite some time. Everything seems to be going well. They love each other and spend a lot of time together. All in all, everything appears to be perfect. So he proposes. She says yes. And they begin to prepare for their wedding. Finally, everything is ready for the big day. The wedding invitations have been mailed, the flowers chosen, the tuxedo rented, and the wedding gown tailored to the bride. But then, in the middle of all the last minute preparations, one half of the happy couple sees the other

half entering a hotel with another person. When confronted, the offending person admits that this has been going on for a while. Can you imagine something like this happening to you? How would you feel if you were to see your beloved in such a situation? Yet this is often what happens between Christ and His church. The Bible compares Christs relationship with His church to marriage. However, when we read the Bible and when we look at the church today, we find occasions when Gods people have been unfaithful to their Groom. Take time to read Ezekiel 16 which provides us with one such example. Many couples would give up on their future marriage in such circumstances, but Christ does not. Although His wife (the church) is painfully unfaithful to Him, He longs for her to return to Him. Read Revelation 19:5-9. Thankfully, Christs endeavors are not in vain.

Marriage...

Christ did not come to this world to forbid marriage or to break down or destroy the relationship and influence which exist in the domestic circle. He came to restore, elevate, purify, and ennoble every current of pure affection, that the family on earth might become a symbol of the family in heaven.
Ellen G. White, That I May Know Him, p.39

To gain a proper understanding of the marriage relation is the work of a lifetime. Those who marry enter a school from which they are never in this life to be graduated. . . . Make Christ first and last and best in everything. . . . And as your love for Him increases, your love for each other will grow deeper and stronger. . . . Neither husband nor wife is to make a plea for rulership. The Lord has laid down the principle that is to guide in this matter. The husband is to cherish his wife as Christ cherishes the church. And the wife is to respect and love her husband. Both are to cultivate the spirit of kindness, being determined never to grieve or injure the other.
Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 7, p.4547

God wants the home to be the happiest place on earth, the very symbol of the home in heaven. Bearing the marriage responsibilities in the home, linking their interests with Jesus Christ, leaning upon His arm and His assurance, husband and wife may share a happiness in this union that angels of God commend. Marriage does not lessen their usefulness, but strengthens it. They may make that married life a ministry to win souls to Christ.
Ellen G. White, The Adventist Home, p. 102

To do...
Interviewing a married couple who have been married quite a while. Ask them about their marriage experience and seek their advice for what makes a good marriage work. Planting some flower seeds in a garden bed or pot. As you water and tend these seeds and growing plants, consider the conditions and ingredients needed for them to flourish, just as a relationshipin marriage, with others

and with Godrequires the right conditions to flourish. When the flowers appear, give them to someone you love, either as a living plant or as cut flowers.

Recommended Reading...
Read the following passages in your Bible:
Songs of Solomon.

Read the following:

The Greatest Thing In The World, Henry Drummond; The Eden Home a Pattern, Chapter 3, The Adventist Home; Section One - Marriage--a Foretaste of Heaven, & Section Two - Finding the Right Mate, Letters to Young Lovers; Unscriptural Marriages, Chapter 46, Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 4; Love and Sexuality in the Human Experience, Chapter 25, Mind, Personality, and Character, Vol. 1.

Recommended Listening...
Listen to W. D. Frazee's presentation entitled:
Marriage & the Home - Part 1; Marriage & the Home - Part 2. For other audio sermons by W. D. Frazee: http://wdfsermons.org/free-materials/audio-sermons/

Break into twos or threes and pray for one anothers needs, as well as for your friends and family...

LESSONS ON FAITH
LESSON #9: SIMPLY BELIEVE (Living by Faith)

Living by Faith

LESSONS ON FAITH
LESSON #9: SIMPLY BELIEVE (Living by Faith)
"To HIM that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." Rom. 4:5. This is the only way that anybody in this world can ever become righteous. First admit that he is ungodly, then believe that God justifies, counts righteous, the ungodly, and he is righteous with the very righteousness of God. Everybody in the world is ungodly. "Ungodly" means "unlike God." And it is written, "All have sinned and come short of the glory [the goodness, the character] of God." Anybody, therefore, who will admit that he ever came short of being like God in anything, in that confesses that he is ungodly. But the truth is that everybody, in everything, has come short of being like God. For "they are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one." Rom. 3:9-18. Then, as there is not one on earth who is not ungodly, and as God justifies the ungodly, this on God's part makes justification-righteousness, salvation--full, free, and sure to every soul on earth. And all that anybody needs to do to make it all sure to himself on his own part, is to accept it--to believe that God does justify, personally and individually, him who is ungodly. Thus, strange as it may sound to many, the only qualification, and the only preparation, for justification is for a person to acknowledge that he is ungodly. Then, having such qualification,

having made such preparation, all that is required of him to obtain justification, full, free, and sure, is to believe that God justifies him, the ungodly one. It is quite easy for many to believe that they are ungodly and even to acknowledge it, but for them to believe that God justifies them--that is too much. And the sole reason why they cannot believe that God justifies them, is that they are ungodly, so ungody. If only they could find some good in themselves or if only they could straighten up and do better, they might have some courage to hope that God would justify them. Yes, they would justify themselves by works and then profess to believe in justification by faith! But that would be only to take away all ground for justification, for if a man can find good in himself, he has it already, and does not need it from anywhere else. If he can straighten up and do better of himself, he does not need any justification from anywhere else. It is, therefore, a contradiction in terms to say that I am so ungodly that I do not see how the Lord can justify me. For if I am not ungodly, I do not need to be made righteous; I am righteous. There is no half-way ground between godliness and ungodliness. But when a person sees himself so ungodly as to find there no possible ground of hope for justification, it is just there that faith comes in; indeed, it is only there that faith can possibly come in. For faith is dependence on the word of God only. So long as there is any dependence on himself, so long as there is any conceivable ground of hope for any dependence upon anything in or about himself, there can be no faith, so long as there is no place for faith, since faith is dependence on "the word only." But when every conceivable ground of hope of any dependence on anything in or about himself is gone and is acknowledged to be gone; when everything that can be seen is against any hope of justification, then it is that, throwing himself

on the promise of God, upon the word only, hoping against hope, faith enters and by faith he finds justification full and free, all ungodly though he be. For forever it stands written, "To him that worketh not but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." "Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ." "Whom God hath set forth . . . to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past." This is what it is to exercise faith. Are you exercising faith? For "understanding how to exercise faith: this is the science of the gospel."

First published in the Review & Herald, Feb. 7, 1899 By A. T. Jones & E. J. Waggoner