Week 4 brings focus to the significance of God designing marriage. The concept of marriage is God's idea, and is God's design for companionship, joy, procreation, and ministry. It is designed to reflect the good news that Jesus gave up his life–for his bride, the church. ----- Why is it signficant that God designed and instituted the first marriage as part of how he created the world? 1. Marriage is designed for our companionship and joy 2. Marriage is designed for procreation and ministry 3. Marriage is designed to reflect the Gospel ----- What do you think is the most difficult challenge facing marriage right now? 1. A misunderstanding of who marriage should be for? 2. A misunderstanding of what a marriage should be based on? 3. A misunderstanding of expectations in marriage? ----- PRAY >>> Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we stand in awe of you and the perfect love and companionship that you enjoy as Triune God. We thank you that you saw fit to extend that experience of the joy of companionship to us not only through friendship, but also through marriage. For those of us who are married, we pray that you will protect our marriages. Help us to serve our spouses with selflessness and joy, and to grow in love toward him or her. For those of us who are not married, we pray that you would bless us with the gift of deep friendship with other brothers and sisters in Christ, help us to be content with our singlness if that is your will, or provide us with a spouse who loves Jesus if that is your will. For all of us, we pray that you would remind us each day that marriage is a reflection of the good news that Jesus gave up his life for his bride, the church. In Jesus' name, amen.