TOPIC — Marital Intimacy: The Man And His Wife [Sunday, 11th March 2018]
MEMORY VERSE: ‘’Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” – Genesis 2:24
BIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 2:23-25
23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
INTRODUCTION:
The intention of God for marriage is that the couple becomes one flesh (Mark 10:6-10). Marital intimacy, therefore, is the process that brings about the intended oneness in marriage. It involves bridging the gaps between the two worlds of the husband and wife until complete oneness is achieved physically, spiritually and emotionally. Oneness in marriage does not happen by default or by accident, but takes concerted and conscious effort of the two parties involved (1 Peter 3:8).
LESSON OUTLINES
1. What brings about marital intimacy?
2. Communication is key
WHAT BRINGS ABOUT MARITAL INTIMACY
Acceptance: There is no perfect human (Mark 10:18). Therefore, the journey of marital intimacy begins by accepting the totality of your partner, including the strengths and the weaknesses (Genesis 2:23; Ephesians 5:28-29).
Agreement: It takes two to tango. Marital intimacy will be difficult to achieve with an unwilling partner (Ecclesiastes 4:9-11). Therefore, there is a need for the couple to agree on certain values of marriage (Amos 3:3) and set appropriate goals towards achieving them (Habakkuk 2:2-3).
Prioritising: If the marriage must not be hanging on the balance of marital instability, there is need to break ties with relationships and engagements that could compete for equal attention (Genesis 2:24). Make out more time for each other.
Service: Just as Jesus Christ cultivated the Church for the purpose of intimacy, couples must serve each other in love and reverence to achieve the intended goal of oneness (1Corinthians 10:24; Philippians 2:4). You will make sacrifices for each other (Ephesians 5:25). You must celebrate, comfort, cuddle and rebuke each other in love when necessary (Romans 12:15; SOS 1:13; 3:3-4).
COMMUNICATION IS KEY
A crucial key to intimacy in marriage is communication (Hebrews 13:16). Communication helps break down every wall of partition between a man and his wife and gives unhindered access to each other’s world. Effective communication breeds trust and transparency (Proverbs 8:7-8; 24:26), strengthen the cord of love (Romans 12:9) and breaks the backbone of assumption and suspicion. The line of communication must be open and unambiguous on any subject. Love, care, compliments, offences, rebukes, forgiveness, aspirations, ideas etc., must all be communicated timely and rightly (Proverbs 15:4, 13; 28:13). When the barrier of communication is out of the way, there is unity at the home front, thereby, paving way for love to flourish (Romans 14:19; Hebrews 10:24).
CONCLUSION:
Marital intimacy is no smooth ride and the experience differs with each couple. One partner might pay a higher price than the other but on the whole, it takes commitment and patience of the duo to arrive at ecstasy.
QUESTIONS
1. Mention five things that bring about marital intimacy.
2. What are the effects of good communication in marital intimacy?
SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN
1. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me glad
To rejoice at Thy birth.
2. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day, Thy friendship suits me well,
Both young and old will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School.
3. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee.
4. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee.
5. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds black with rain,
I’ll be in Sunday School.
6. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?
