NASHVILLE (BP) — This weekly Bible study appears in Baptist Press in a partnership with LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through its Leadership and Adult Publishing team, LifeWay publishes Sunday School curricula and additional resources for all age groups.
This week’s Bible study is adapted from Explore the Bible curriculum.
Bible Passages: Genesis 2:4-9,15-18
Discussion Questions: How does God use relationships to point other to Himself? What is the significance of God creating humanity as males and females?
Food for Thought:
The groom and pastor enter the room with the groomsmen following. The bridesmaids then enter and get their moment to shine. The flower girl and ring bearer then come forward to all the oohs and aahs. Everything is now set for the big entrance. The music changes and the bride makes her grand entrance. The smile on the face of the groom speaks louder than any words could ever express. The photos taken of that very moment when he sees his bride coming down the isle are priceless. It is about that moment!
This repeated scene mirrors Adam’s experience as recorded in Genesis 2. He reviewed all the animals, giving them names. But Adam was created in the image of God and none of them were, so the search continued. This process helped Adam realize his need for a fitting companion. The problem was Adam could not fill that need by himself. God placed Adam into a deep sleep and fashioned the perfect companion for him. Prior to this sleep no suitable companion existed; when he woke up, he did so to in the presence of the perfect companion. She too was made in God’s image but as a female. Before that moment, Adam was unable to completely fulfill his role in God’s creation. That all changed with the arrival of Eve.
God created on purpose and with design. That design includes marriage between a man and a woman. The relationship is used throughout Scripture to portray the kind of relationship God desires with His people. Jesus is called the Groom and the church is called the Bride. Throughout creation, God provided with design and purpose. But within that design were limits. Adam and Eve would find their greatest freedoms within those limits. They were free to step outside the established limits, but doing so carried consequences. Obedience within God’s design leads to freedom and contentment. Disobedience and deviation from God’s design leads to slavery and discontentment.
Explore the Bible
Explore the Bible is an ongoing Bible study curriculum that helps groups dig into the key truths of each Bible book, while keeping the group on pace to study through the Bible books in a systematic way. More information can be found at LifeWay.com/ExploreTheBible.
Other ongoing Bible study options for all ages offered by LifeWay can be found at LifeWay.com/SundaySchool.
