According to Genesis 1-3…
We are all – male and female - equally created in the image of God to represent him among all creation. God’s design is very intentional and full of purpose.

We are equal image bearers, with common and distinct human properties, and different roles designed to work together in fulfilling God’s creation mandate to govern and reign over the earth.

Sin has distorted our perspective on this. Even more, God gave some very specific consequences to female and male that make it a challenge to respect, honor and live the created design.

Genesis 2:23-25 (ESV) - Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. 25And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.

Hold fast to his wife – a covenant relationship beyond a contract – a bond meant to not be broken

One flesh – a physical union through sex for the purpose of procreation, providing intimacy, protection.

What about being single?

What is a biblical marriage? A God designed covenant relationship between a man and a woman to be fruitful with children, fulfill the call to care for creation and bless one another in loving commitment.

Matthew 19:4–6 (ESV) – He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, 5and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”

Matthew 19:8–9 (ESV) 8He said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 9And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.”

Ephesians 5:31–33 (ESV) - “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 33However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Discussion Questions

1. Is it significant that God established marriage before sin entered the picture? Why or why not?

2. Why is it important that Genesis 2:24-25 is referenced by Jesus and Paul in the New Testament as foundational truth?

3. What does the process of a man leaving his father and mother, holding fast to his wife and becoming one flesh communicate about God’s design for marriage?

4. “Singleness is not frowned upon in Scripture but what we can conclude is that God’s image and design in us makes singleness the exception, not the rule.” Share your thoughts on this statement. If you believe it is true, why is it true?

5. How did Jesus model servant leadership and submission?

6. Read Ephesians 5:22-33 in light of Ephesians 5:1-2 and 5:20-21. Marriage is a microcosm of how we are to treat one another as the body of Christ. How does this effect your understanding of the marriage relationship and the roles God designed?

7. What is one helpful takeaway for you from this message?