Marriage God's Way

Marriage God’s Way

Genesis 2:18-25

God’s way is the best and only way to a healthy marriage.

God explains man’s need – companionship. (18-20)

God satisfies man’s need – woman. (21-23)

God establishes essential ingredients of a healthy marriage. (24-25)

“leave” – Priority.

“hold fast” – Inseparable.

“become one flesh” – Fight.

“not ashamed” – Intimate.

For the Next Lesson: Genesis 2:18-25

1. Read verse 18. After creating the first man, how did God describe the man’s situation? Why did God describe it this way? Had he described anything about creation like this before? Why is this significant? What did God intend to do for man? Is the idea of God creating the woman as a “helper” for man demeaning? Why or why not? Who else is called a helper in Scripture (see Psalm 54:4, 119:7, John 14:26, 15, 26)? How do these verses influence your view of the woman created as a helper?

2. Read verses 19-20. What did Adam get to do for all the different animals on earth? What does this show us about his relationship to the animals (see also Genesis 1:26-28)? Why does God explain that Adam saw and named all the animals, but did not find a “helper fit for him”? What do we need to understand about the value and dignity of both men and women (Genesis 1:26-27)?

3. Read verses 21-23. How did God go about making a “helper fit” for Adam? What insight can we gain about men and women from this creative process? How did Adam respond when he saw the first woman? How do you think he felt? What do you think was going through his mind? Does Adam naming the woman have any significance? Why or why not?

4. Read verses 24-25. According to verse 24, what are three key elements of marriage? What do each of these actions look like in a real marriage? What prevents someone from living out these three elements of marriage? What are the real-life implications or impact in a marriage when one or more of these are not lived out? In verse 25, does being naked refer to just physical nakedness, or can it also refer to spiritual and emotional nakedness? If it refers to physical, emotional and spiritual nakedness, then what is the significance of them not being “ashamed” in a marriage? How does this describe a healthy atmosphere in a marriage?

5. So what. Based on your study of Genesis, do you see any biblical evidence for men and women having different value, dignity or ability before God? Do you see evidence for differing roles between men and women? How so? If there are different roles, where do these roles apply? Based on verses 24-25, what are some foundational principles about marriage? What is one truth or principle you can take from your study of Genesis 2:18-25 that applies to your life?