Scripture
Genesis 2:18-25
Open your mind and heart as you read the passage of Scripture aloud and then again quietly to yourself. Listen for God’s word to you.
Spend some time in worship.
Observation
Only once in the whole creation event did God see that something was not good – and that was that the man He had created was alone. This was not something he had intended, so He took steps to solve the issue and to provide Adam with a helper. The world has come to understand the word helper to be one in a position of inferiority. This was not God’s intention. Those who serve hold positions of great importance in God’s eyes. Not only was Adam’s companion to be his helper but she was to be seen as one who was to be honoured in this role. She was an equal partner in God’s grace and as a human being.
Before the fall Adam would have been a highly intelligent man and he was able to name all the creatures God formed. It is interesting to note that none was named ‘man’ revealing that he was aware only he was made in the image of God and was separate from all other creatures. The animals would have come to Adam in pairs – male and female – yet there was none who were like Adam. God was using this exercise to prepare Adam to be open to receive the gift of the woman God would form for him.
Whether God actually used one of Adam’s ribs to form the woman or some other part of his body, God took some of Adam’s cells and changed their genetic blueprint to mould Eve. In this way He would remind men and women that they are one, even though they have their differences in form and character. Eve was not a second beginning of the human race but a continuation of it.
Adam immediately recognised Eve as a human being. He understood their oneness. Just as red and blue are both colours, they have their own place in the colour spectrum, so men and women are the same but different. And they become one flesh through the joining in marriage. The relationship of unity within a marriage grows with time and becomes more than just the sexual act. There are important spiritual dimensions to this oneness too. This is not instant – it has to ‘become’.
At this time, both Adam and Eve were comfortable with who they were in one another’s eyes and it their relationship with God.
Icebreaker:
Who do you call family? What defines this relationship for you? Are these people important to you? Why/why not?
Application
- How do you feel about the concept of family as described in Scripture? (See also Matthew 20:25-28; 1 Peter 3:7; Matthew 19:5; Ephesians 5:31; Psalm 127:1)
- How much effort do you make to maintain a happy family life? What does this involve for you? Can you see the results? How do you feel about the character of your family?
- A family as God intended needs to be ‘God-based’. Does this describe your family? What role does God have in your family life? How do you feel about this? Do you think God could be more prevalent in your family relationships? What action can you take to make this happen?
- A family as God intended needs to be ‘goal-based’. What is the goal of your family? How do they work towards achieving this goal? Why is this important to you as a family? If you do not have a goal – what do you think a worthy goal could be? How could you begin to implement this concept into your family life?
- A family as God intended needs to have a ‘grace-based foundation’. How much grace is shown in your family? Where is it missing? Where might an honest conversation help to bring about grace and forgiveness? How do you feel about bringing such a conversation about?
- How would you like God to bless your family at this time? What are their greatest needs, hopes and dreams?
- How can the group help you with the struggles you have mentioned during this session?
Prayer
Spend some time praying for one another’s families and any issues that have been raised during your discussion time. Pray also in regard to other needs of the group..
Service
This week make an effort to bring God into your family in a new way; identify a goal for your family and work in some way to share that with them; and offer them any grace and forgiveness that may be needed from you to them. Share with one another next week how God has blessed your family this week.
Bibliography
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