God created marriage for two reasons. He created it for procreation and illustration. God created a means by which everyone might be able have a clearer picture of his love for his people (the Church). In doing this he also showed us how we are to love our spouses. If a vital relationship in our lives is the one that we have with our spouse, we have to ask ourselves some probing questions to see how we are doing in this area. 

How can you do a better job of loving your spouse as Jesus loves the Church?

 

 

 

Is your spouse closer to Jesus because of your relationship with them or in spite of it?

 

 

 

How does it make you feel to know that God has designated you as the primary instrument to reflect his love for your spouse?

 

 

 

If you were to decide that your spouse doesn’t owe you anything, how would it change your interactions with him or her this week?

 

How are you being sanctified or cleansed (Ephesians 5:26,27)?

 

 

 

What does submission look like? Is it different from respect?

 

 

 

What is an area of your life that you could do a better job trusting God with? How are you going to do this?

 

 

 

Read the book of Ephesians. Notice and underline every instance where Paul draws out the “head” and “body” illustrations.

 

Read I Corinthians 7 Be sure to write and seek answers to questions that might come up as you read this passage.