God's design for man and woman, and how they are meant to be together

Genesis 1:26-27
26. Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."
27. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

To be made in his image means to be made in the reflection of God’s glory. God is sinless, eternal and unlimited. We are given the potential to be sinless, eternal and unlimited. But we also were given the choice to fall short. We will never be like God because He is our supreme creator. Our best hope is to reflect his character in our love, patience, forgiveness, kindness and faithfulness. This alone should give you self worth and to know that we are not defined by our possessions, achievements, physical attractiveness or by public acclaim. God made man and woman in his own image. Neither one is more dominant than the other.

Genesis 2:15-17
15. The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.
16. And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden;
17. but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die."

God has given us responsibility to take care of his creation. He has also given us freedom. Freedom to choose how we may live. These choices come with the result of consequences if chosen wrongly. Choosing wrongly causes us pain and suffering. But these choices help us to realize what is wrong and cause us to make better choices for the future.

Genesis 2:18, 21-24
18. The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."
21. So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh.
22. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
23. The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman, for she was taken out of man.“
24. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

Here we see 3 basic aspects in verse 24:
1. The man leaves his parents and, In a public act, promises himself to his wife.
2. The man and woman are joined together by taking responsibility for each other’s welfare and by loving the mate above all others.
3. The two become one flesh in intimacy and commitment of sexual union, which is reserved for marriage.

Ephesians 5:21-22, 28-29
21. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
22. Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.
28. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.
29. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church

We as individuals still have to make our choice to follow God. As long as we do this we will have a very strong marriage.

Look at the diagram of God’s Design of marriage:
1. We are to be spiritual individuals with one another and God
2. We are to be social with one another and with God (Communication and Prayer)
3. We are to be emotional with one another and with God (Humble, Love)
4. We are to be physical with one another (intimacy) and with God (Spirit)

The more we implement these things own lives along with our marriage, the closer we get to God.

How would you rate your marriage from 1 to 10?

1. What are your strengths?
2. Which areas could use some attention?

4 keys to an intimate marriage:

1. Having a lifelong choice of unconditional love.
2. Having a lifelong skill of learning to understand each other.
3. Having an adventure of lifelong friendship, fun and mutual fulfillment.
4. Having a vision to impact the lives of others with your experience of having a life of unconditional love with your spouse and God.

For those of you who are not married:
1. How would you rate your dating relationship and your approach to building relationships using God’s Design?

My wife and I have chosen not to allow our daughter to date until she moves away to college or until she reaches the age of 18. We will however allow her to go out with friends but will not be alone with a boy. Satan will use any vulnerable child he can to get them to do wickedness and corrupt there minds with filth.

Parents, final question for thought:
1. Are you talking to your pre-teens and teens about God’s Design for a marriage.

I hope this has been a good kick start for a WONDERFUL marriage for you and for God.

I love you and God Bless.