Lesson 1 of 13
Introduction: What is Right in Our Own Eyes
The chapter attributes marriage's disorder to people doing what is right in their own eyes rather than submitting to God's purpose revealed in the Bible. It presents earthly marriage as a picture of Christ and the church, grounded in God's love, goodness, and desire to restore humanity to Himself. Through the Observation Process and the phases Date, Engage, and Marry, the author teaches learners to observe objectively, appreciate sacrifice, and serve a spouse in order to know and reveal the Lord.
What you will learn
- Identify the chapter's three reasons for trusting the Bible.
- Explain how earthly marriage pictures Christ and the church.
- Distinguish the purposes of the Date, Engage, and Marry phases.
Key concepts
Objective Biblical Truth
The author contrasts personal feelings, opinions, and perceptions with the Bible's standard of objective truth. He argues that Scripture can be trusted because of its honest portrayal of humanity, fulfilled prophecy, and timeless truths.
Marriage as a Spiritual Picture
Earthly marriage is presented as a picture of Christ's relationship with the church, not merely a means of meeting personal needs. Christ's care, sacrifice, sanctification, and cleansing model the husband's role, while the church's honor toward Christ models the wife's response.
God's Nature and Purpose
The chapter describes God as one and triune—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—and emphasizes His sacrificial love and goodness. His marriage plan is to restore humanity, His bride, to Himself, and the author calls for trust in His goodness even when experience challenges our understanding of good.
The Observation Process
The author calls God's provision of experiences leading to revelation and transformation the Observation Process. Applied to relationships, it includes observing oneself and a potential spouse objectively, including the circumstances and difficulties that have shaped character.
Date, Engage, and Marry
Date emphasizes observing sin, its consequences, and God's character; Engage emphasizes Jesus' sacrifice and the price of entering marriage; Marry emphasizes intimacy and service. The author presents these as corresponding spiritual and earthly phases and warns that skipping or reordering them can cause lasting damage.
Scriptures in this chapter
Chapter review
Answer 4 of 5 correctly to earn the badge
1. Which set names the chapter's three reasons for trusting the Bible for answers?
2. What standard does the author establish for this teaching on marriage?
3. According to the chapter's explanation of Ephesians 5:31-32, earthly marriage points to what?
4. Which description matches the chapter's comparison of a husband and wife with Christ and the church?
5. Which sequence correctly connects the three phases with their central emphases?
Reflect and apply
- Where might your expectations of marriage reflect feelings, self-interest, or social norms rather than the chapter's stated biblical standard, and what adjustment would its teaching invite?
- How could you apply the chapter's emphases on objective observation, appreciation of sacrifice, and service in your current relationships or ministry teaching?