Made for Relationships: Marriage
On the topic of marriage as part of a larger series on relationships. Guest speaker and Child Voice CEO, Nathan Mandsager, begins by framing marriage as a divine institution rooted in the biblical narrative of Genesis and affirmed by Jesus, contrasting the secular view of marriage as self-fulfillment with the Christian ideal of a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman dedicated to God's glory.
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Study Guide: A Biblical Perspective on Marriage
This guide is designed to review the key concepts presented in a sermon on marriage, part of the "Made for Relationships" series. It explores the biblical foundation of marriage, cultural challenges, and practical applications for building a God-honoring relationship.
Short-Answer Quiz
Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences each, based on the provided sermon content.
What is the central theme of the sermon series titled "Made for Relationships," and what topics were covered in the weeks prior to the sermon on marriage?
According to the survey conducted by the speaker, what did married couples identify as the biggest threats to marriage in the current culture?
How does the sermon define "biblical marriage," and which book of the Bible is cited for its origin?
What is the world's view of marriage as described by Pastor Tim Keller, and what danger does this view present?
According to the Apostle Paul's letter to the Ephesians, what is the foundational principle that should guide all relationships, including marriage, before specific roles are addressed?
What specific instruction does Ephesians 5 give to wives, and how does the speaker contextualize the challenging concept of submission?
What responsibility does Ephesians 5 place on husbands, and what is the ultimate standard they are called to emulate in loving their wives?
The speaker states that a marriage is "not about you." What two purposes does he say a God-designed marriage serves?
What are the four essential needs or actions a person must bring to a marriage to live out God's mission for it?
What is the ultimate goal of marriage, as described in the final Tim Keller quote, regarding being known and loved?
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Answer Key
The "Made for Relationships" series focuses on different types of relationships from a Christian perspective. The topics covered before the sermon on marriage were our relationship with God, our relationship with family, and a teaching on singleness.
The survey respondents identified selfishness and social media as the biggest threats to marriage in the current culture. The speaker noted that selfishness is a constant threat because we are selfish beings, while the mention of social media was a recurring theme from the married couples surveyed.
The sermon defines biblical marriage as the covenant union of one man and one woman for one lifetime. This definition is rooted in the creation account found in Genesis chapters one and two, which describes God's original design for humanity.
Tim Keller describes the world's view of marriage as a way to reach personal life goals and find a partner who will fulfill one's emotional, sexual, and spiritual desires. This creates an extreme idealism that leads to deep pessimism, and the speaker warns that one's spouse makes a "terrible God."
Before addressing wives and husbands specifically, Ephesians 5:21 establishes the foundational principle of "submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ." The speaker emphasizes that this broad, sweeping statement of mutual submission applies to everyone and frames the specific instructions that follow.
Ephesians 5:22 instructs wives to "submit to your own husbands as to the Lord." The speaker contextualizes submission not as a weapon used by men, but as a good and godly gift that flows from a mutual submission to Christ and to one another.
Ephesians 5:25 commands husbands to "love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her." The ultimate standard for a husband is the sacrificial, sanctifying love of Jesus for his bride, the church, which requires him to nourish, cherish, and prioritize his wife's flourishing.
The speaker states that a God-designed marriage serves two primary purposes. First, it is designed to show off who God is to a lost and broken world. Second, it is also about the individuals, as God sovereignly brings them together out of his intimate love and value for them.
The four essential actions are: having a desperation for Jesus, being able to say "I need you" to your spouse, being willing to say "I need other people" (community), and being willing to say "I'm sorry" as the "chief repenter" in the home.
The ultimate goal is to be fully known and truly loved. Keller's quote explains that to be known with all your flaws and yet be wholly committed to is a "consummate experience" that is a lot like being loved by God, liberating us from pretense and fortifying us for life's difficulties.
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Essay Questions
Reflect on the following prompts and prepare to answer in a comprehensive essay format. Answers are not provided.
Contrast the biblical view of marriage presented in the sermon with the cultural view described by Tim Keller. How does the concept of marriage as a "mission" for God's glory fundamentally differ from marriage as a means for "personal life goals"?
The speaker addresses the term "submission" from Ephesians 5 as a "lightning word" that hits our culture in a bad way. Analyze how the sermon attempts to redeem this concept, discussing the importance of mutual submission, the context of reverence for Christ, and the role of the husband in creating an environment where a wife can flourish.
Explore the role and responsibilities of a Christian husband as outlined in the sermon. Using the comparison to Christ and the church, explain what it means for a husband to "love," "nourish," "cherish," and "hold fast" to his wife, including the practical sacrifices mentioned.
The sermon emphasizes that biblical marriage is designed for the "flourishing of humanity." Based on the text, argue how a God-honoring marriage contributes to the well-being of the husband, wife, children, and the wider community.
Discuss the practical tools and priorities for a healthy marriage offered at the end of the sermon. Explain the significance of the priority structure (Jesus, spouse, children, others) and how the "Seven Questions" tool facilitates the goal of being "fully known and truly loved."
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Glossary of Key Terms
Term
Definition from the Source Context
Biblical Marriage
The covenant union of one man and one woman for one lifetime. It is God's idea, intended to facilitate the flourishing of humanity.
Covenant
A commitment made between a man and a woman before God and witnesses for a lifetime. It is distinct from being "married in your heart" or living together without this formal, public commitment.
"Made for Relationships"
The title of the sermon series, which examines key relationships from a Christian perspective, including with God, family, singleness, and marriage.
Mutual Submission
The principle from Ephesians 5:21 of "submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ." It is the foundational context for the specific instructions given to husbands and wives, meaning that both parties are to put themselves under the other out of love for Jesus.
One Flesh
A biblical term from Genesis and quoted in Ephesians, describing the profound mystery and result of marriage where two individuals mingle their souls together for a lifetime and become one unit.
Sacrificial Love (Husband's Role)
The husband's calling to love his wife "as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her." This involves sacrificing his own desires, preferences, comfort, and needs for her sake and creating an environment where she can flourish.
Submission (Wife's Role)
The instruction for a wife to submit to her husband "as to the Lord." The sermon presents this not as a tool for control but as a "good, godly gift" that is an act of worship and part of a healthy, mutually submissive relationship.
The Chief Repenter
A role, particularly for husbands and fathers, to model what it means to say "I'm sorry" and ask for forgiveness within the family, leading the way in repentance.
The World's View of Marriage
As described by Tim Keller, it is seeing marriage not as a way to create character and community, but as a way to reach personal life goals by finding a partner who fulfills one's emotional, sexual, and spiritual desires.
Seven Check-In Questions
A practical tool shared in the sermon that a couple can use weekly to check in with one another. These questions are designed to measure the relationship at a given moment and help grow love and intimacy.
