TOPIC: Love Dynamics in Marriage

MEMORY VERSE: “By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.” – Proverbs 25:15

BIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 2:18-25 KJV

18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

19 And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.

20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.

21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;

22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.

23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

LESSON INTRODUCTION:

Many marriages ate needlessly failing because the marriage partners lack the knowledge of relationship dynamics. Hosea 4:6. Most couples, sadly to say are ignorant on purpose. In this study, we will be looking at the scriptural principles and the love language that must characterize our marital relationships.

LESSON OUTLINES:

SCRIPTURAL PRINCIPLES GUIDING MARRIAGE
UNDERSTANDING THE “LOVE LANGUAGES”
1. SCRIPTURAL PRINCIPLES GUIDING MARRIAGE

Couples in marriage should understand that the image of God is best expressed in the combination of male and female (Gen.1:27). The God-designed differences between male and female are to be accepted as complimentary and not as competitive. (Gen.2:18 ). Marriage is not a human institution, it is divine.(Gen. 2:21-23). It is to be a relationship of companionship completion and communion (Gen.2:21-25; Matt.19: 5). Marriage was design designed by God to be a permanent, mutual and covenant relationship.(Matt. 19:6). God’s intent is for marriage to be an inestimable source of joy and fulfillment. In fact, marriage is a major part of God’s plan to bring redemption to human race. The environment of the marriage relationship provides the vehicle for the incarnation of the Saviour, Jesus Christ. (Gen. 3:15; 22:18; Ephesian 5:31-32).

2. UNDERSTANDING THE “LOVE LANGUAGES”

Many problems in marriage, usually occur due to the inability of the partners to understand each other’s love language. ‘Love language’ is Ann expression that makes you or your partner feel loved.

There are five primary love languages. They are:

i. Quality Time Together: Spending time with each other and talking without interruptions, going out and about, having fun together, celebrating birthdays and wedding anniversaries, etc. Let courtship experience continue. (Gen.26:8 ).

ii. Acts of Service: Do things you know your spouse would like you do. For example cooking meals, helping each other especially in household chores, etc. (Eccl.4:9).

iii. Exchange of Gifts: Express your love for each other through giving/receiving of gifts no matter how small. (1 Sam.1:5; Prov.17:8 ).

iv. Words of Affirmation: Couples must be consistent in saying I love you, I am sorry,Thank you, You look nice in that dress etc. to each other. (Song of Solomon 1:15; 4:1,7).

v. Physical Touching: This is a way of communicating emotional love, e.g. holding hands, kissing, pecking, embracing, patting, necking, nibbling, sitting close to each other etc.(Gen.26:8; Song of Solomon 1:2).

CONCLUSION: Couples should discover and express to each other what they have discovered as their primary love language that they both enjoy.

QUESTIONS:

Mention at least 3 scriptural principles of marriage.
Identify the primary love languages needed in marriage.
ASSIGNMENT: Find out five (5) major differences between the scripture-based marital principles and the world/carnal-based marital principle.

For Further Reading: Proverbs 15:1; 16:14; 1 Timothy 2:13.