Week 18: Biblical Teaching on Marriage (Part 1 of 2)

Read Time: 3.4 min

Over time and human history, the Bible has proven to be a reliable source of good information. It teaches us about how to live life with integrity, how to love one another, and it even shares information about how to be an honorable and loving spouse.

While the Bible can sometimes be difficult to understand and at times seem irrelevant to modern times, its truths are timeless and its instruction on how to love others is crucial to living life to the fullest.

When you look to the Bible for information on marriage, it depicts marriage in two ways. It depicts marriage as a relationship characterized by equality and reciprocation. It also depicts marriage as a relationship where there is male headship.

These depictions of marriage have served both as rally cries for those espousing male supremacy and for those championing a totally egalitarian relationship in marriage. Yet, the real meaning for marriage is best obtained by a loving and mutually considerate blending of the various views about marriage portrayed in the various biblical texts.

When a married couple commits to studying the Bible and its teachings (on all areas of life), there are insights and revelations that occur. And when a balanced and biblical perspective on marriage is developed between you and your spouse, the fruits of peace and companionship will abound!

No matter which way you look at it, marriage is a complex human relationship. It can be as difficult to describe as the awe one experiences when witnessing the vastness of the Grand Canyon. That is, marriage can no more be described from a single segment of scripture than the Grand Canyon can be described from only one overlook.

As you and your spouse continue to build your understanding of marriage, there may be differing views and interpretations of scripture. Even so, dwell first and foremost on learning how to love one another.

Yet, the real meaning for marriage is best obtained by a loving and mutually considerate blending of the various views about marriage portrayed in the various biblical texts.

Some Things To Do For The Week

Day 2: Reflect on the message and scripture reading; journal if you like
Day 3: Pray for or meditate on what you think you need
Day 4: Discuss the message and scripture with your spouse
Day 5: Plan how you can best respond to the message
Day 6: Rest; don’t think about the message or the scripture; listen in the stillness
Day 7: Recommit yourself to your marriage

Applicable scripture listed under Discussion References.