Session 2

United (Genesis 2:21-25)

the unique way in which Eve was created.

21 So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to come over the man, and he slept.
God took one of his ribs and closed the flesh at that place.
22 Then the Lord God made the rib he had taken from the man into a woman and brought her to the man.
23 And the man said:
This one, at last, is bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh;
this one will be called “woman,” for she was taken from man.
24 This is why a man leaves his father and mother and bonds with his wife, and they become one flesh.
25 Both the man and his wife were naked, yet felt no shame.

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Direct:

discuss the main takeaway from verses 21-22.
Woman formed from a rib. Not directly from the dust.

discuss the main takeaway from verses 23-25.
Woman is recognized and named.
The reason for marriage.
Naked and unashamed.

Ask:

• What marriage principles were established in the uniting of the first man and woman?
• What results when society adheres to these principles?
• What happens when it fails to do so? (p. 23)

Key Phrase

One flesh

The commitment of marriage is pictured as a unity that eclipses two lives and blends them into one.
The Hebrew text speaks of uniting into one flesh and recalls how Adam described Eve as “bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh.”
While this language alludes to physical intimacy, readers should not overlook the impact of emotional and spiritual intimacy.

State:

Believers should celebrate a covenant marriage between a man and a woman.

Transition:

God created man and woman to work together as one in His creation.

CHALLENGE

Summarize:

Review these points from this week’s Bible passage:

• Humanity benefits from God's provision.
• Humans were tasked to work for the benefit of creation.
• Humanity has freedom to accomplish God's assigned purposes.
• Believers should celebrate a covenant marriage between a man and a woman.

Review:

Call for a few volunteers to share which statement resonates most deeply with them.
Challenge the group to identify some practical ways they can apply these truths to their lives and share them with others this week.

Discuss:

Guide the group to discuss the Apply the Text question on page 23:
Discuss as a group how all humanity benefits from God’s provision.
How should God’s provision for us impact our relationship to Him and to others?

Pray:

Close in prayer,
thanking God for the sanctity of the marriage covenant.
If you lead a group of married couples, direct the couples to pray together, thanking God for their marriage.

AFTER THE SESSION

Reinforce the session by texting the group during the week and encouraging them to celebrate God’s covenant of marriage. For married couples, urge spouses to pray for one another. For singles, challenge them to pray for a couple who provides a great example of a godly marriage in their lives.