Biblical Design for Marriage by Dr. C. David White

Genesis 2:18-2:25

Designing the Eternal Rings

The Lord of the Rings (part 4 of 5)

And the Lord God said, “It isn’t good for man to be alone; I will make companion for him, a helper suited to his needs.” 19 So the Lord God formed from the soil every kind of animal and bird, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; 20 and whatever he called them, that was their name. But still there was no proper helper for the man. 21 Then the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep, and took one of his ribs and closed up the place from which he had removed it, 22 and made the rib into a woman, and brought her to the man. 23 “This is it!” Adam exclaimed. “She is part of my own bone and flesh! Her name is ‘woman’ because she was taken out of a man.” 24 This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife in such a way that the two become one person. 25 Now although the man and his wife were both naked, neither of them was embarrassed or ashamed. GEN 2:18-25 (LB)

God knows us from the inside out.
Just like, Ford, GMC, Chrysler, IBM, etc, know their products.
The Bible contains the principles I need to make my life & marriage successful.
It is the Great Instruction Manual for life and eternity
It is impossible to build a healthy marriage without these things!
They are the Indispensable foundation!

Build our marriages on the four-part Biblical Model. (Bible Principles For Marriage.)

1- Leave Home To Build A Home (24a)
1.) The law of separation.
2.) There is danger if others become too involved in your marriage!
3.) This even applies to surrogate parents! (Individuals and couples you invite into your marriage)
4.) You and your spouse become a complete family. (Nuclear)

2- Decide To Live With Your Spouse Permanently (24b) “cleave”
1.) Jesus quoted this story to teach permanence.
“Don’t you read the Scriptures?” he replied. “In them it is written that at the beginning God created man and woman, 5 and that a man should leave his father and mother, and be forever united to his wife. 6 The two shall become one—no longer two, but one! And no man may divorce what God has joined together.” (Mt. 19:4-6)
2.) Marriage is a forever covenant! (see message # 1 for Biblical reasons for a divorce)
3.) I am ultimately responsible to God for keeping my marriage covenant.
4.) He is the audience of One.

3- Constantly Work Toward Harmony In Your Marriage (24c) “one flesh”
1.) “Shall become” This is the BECOMING.
2.) Marriage is more than a ceremony!!!
2.) Marriage maturity is a process.
3.) Marriage is hard work and I must keep on working on it!!!
4) The Question is; am I doing my part?
5) Is it a 50/50 proposition for you?
6) Or, do you give it the 100 percent effort it needs and deserves.

4- Learn the Art of Intimacy (In-to-me-see) (25) “naked”
1.) The Bible teaches openness in our marriage relationships.
2.) There was no shame. Sin causes shame. (Gen. 3)
3.) SEX is not dirty! [Given to us by God Himself.]
4.) I can’t defraud (rob, deprive, swindle, hoodwink or trick) my mate sexually. (1 Cor. 7:1-5)

There is one question capable of restoring your marriage.
In the context of the Biblical principles we have studied,
That question is, “What would it take for me to love again?”
When Jesus wanted to restore Peter, He didn’t ask him any great theological questions. It was a simple but power, “Do you love Me?” (John 21:15-19)
True love for God will help us to love our spouses as we should.
Your answer must have corresponding actions.