Lesson 7 of 13
Declarations: What He Says & What She Hears
The chapter presents Jesus’s declarations as testimony of who He is, what He provides, and why the church can trust Him, while describing the unity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Because the author frames human marriage as a shadow of Christ’s relationship with the church, engaged couples are encouraged to reveal their character through dependable declarations, plan for spiritual growth, and develop a shared language of unity.
What you will learn
- Explain how Jesus’s declarations reveal His character and trustworthiness.
- Describe the chapter’s vine imagery for divine unity and believers’ dependence on Christ.
- Apply truthful declarations and shared communication practices during engagement.
Key concepts
Declarations Reveal Identity
Jesus’s “I AM” declarations testify to who He is and what He provides for the church now and in eternity. The chapter connects these declarations with reassurance that His words can be trusted.
Unity and the Vine
The author depicts the Father as the vinedresser, Jesus as the vine, and the Holy Spirit as the sap flowing through it. Believers are pictured as branches that must abide in Christ to bear fruit.
Marriage as a Shadow
The chapter presents a husband’s commitment as a shadow of Jesus’s commitment to the church and a wife’s commitment as a shadow of the church’s commitment to Jesus. During engagement, declarations help couples reveal their hearts and understand the sacrifice involved in leaving singleness.
Dependable Words and Shared Growth
Couples are encouraged to examine truthfulness, dependable words, and follow-through on commitments. Their engagement tasks include sharing facts about their lives, meeting one another’s friends, developing an agreed-upon perspective about Jesus, and planning future spiritual activities.
A Common Language
The chapter encourages couples to move from “I,” “me,” and “mine” toward “we,” “us,” and “ours.” Agreed-upon code words can help them communicate in public without embarrassing one another and clarify needs in private conversations.
Scriptures in this chapter
Chapter review
Answer 4 of 5 correctly to earn the badge
1. According to the chapter, why are Jesus’s declarations vital to the church’s relationship with Him?
2. In the author’s vine imagery, which description correctly identifies the roles?
3. Which engagement practice matches the chapter’s suggested tasks?
4. What change in language does the chapter associate with growing unity as a couple?
5. Why does the chapter recommend agreeing on public code words beforehand?
Reflect and apply
- What do your declarations about God, family, relationships, and the future reveal about your character, and how does your follow-through support those words?
- How could you and a potential spouse develop a shared language of “we,” “us,” and “ours,” including agreed-upon phrases for communicating sensitive needs without embarrassment?