Bible Study Week One –
Dedication and Prayer
By Carri Pratt / Amy Gentry, Editor
“My
beloved is mine
and I am his;”
Song
of Solomon 2:16 NIV
This week
read: Song of Solomon 2:15 – 2:17
We are starting out slowly with only three verses, however, these
verses have great significance to the foundation of our marriages.
How does the Bible apply to me and my marriage?
READ Verse 2:15 – In this verse we are told that there are little
foxes running around reeking havoc in the vineyard. The vineyard represents our marriage, our
home and the intimate time spent with our spouse. The little foxes are those little things that
pop-up to spoil the intimate bond we share with our husband. Busyness.
Self-seeking behavior.
Unforgiveness. They might not
seem to be very significant by themselves but over time they add up to a
hundred little foxes trampling our vineyards.
Choose to let him be right and tie up our tongues so that only sweet
words come from our mouths.
~When an issue of conflict arises, stop, and then ask yourself “is
this worth ruining my marriage?” The
answer is probably no. I personally find
quite often it is simply a matter of pride; pride causes me to think my
busyness is more important than the busyness of others – pride causes me to
seek my own way – pride causes me to be unforgiving because I am right and he
is wrong.
~Other times it is the outside world attempting to interfere with
the special time set apart for my husband and me. Yes, this even includes the interruptions
from my children. We ladies need to make
a conscious effort to shut out the world and focus on the
quantity of quality time we are spending with our spouse.
“A quarrelsome
wife is like the
dripping of a leaky roof in a rainstorm”
Proverbs
27:15
READ Verse 2:16 – Here we find a declaration of the exclusive
nature of the marriage relationship.
This is one of the most popular quotes used in wedding vows and ring
inscriptions. Women especially want to
know that our husbands are devoted to us and love us alone. The statement “feeds among the lilies” is
erotic symbolism for kissing and intimate behavior. (G. Lloyd Carr) This is a verse that claims ownership – you
are not your own and neither is he.
READ Verse 2:17 – Here we find the Shulammite woman expressing her
desire to make the most of time left before day break. She is communicating her desire to be with
her spouse, maybe this indicates her desire for tonight but also for the
thousands of nights to come. The term
“divided mountains” could mean that the lovers themselves are divided or could
be erotic imagery. (One of the most important keys to keeping a marriage
relationship in bloom is to be intimate with our spouse on a regular
basis. We will be discussing this in
Week Three of our study, “His Needs.”)
SUMMARY:
The foundation of our marriages is discussed within the three
verses reviewed this week:
1. Focus: Quantity
of quality time – capture those little foxes! Vs.2:15
2. Devotion to one
another vs.2:16
3. Desire and
Intimacy vs.2:17
HOMEWORK:
ACTION
REQUESTED: Please Print Song Of
Solomon Week One Printable And Complete (from printable tab on www.Titus2Women.org or from the File tab within the T2W
Song of Solomon Study Facebook Group.
For an invitation to the group please visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/t2wsos/ )
1.)
Respond
to verse 2:15 in prayer–
Focus:
Quantity of quality time -- Pray and seek the Lord to dedicate yourself to make
a choice to put your spouse above yourself and do the work with the power of
the Holy Spirit to do whatever it takes to meet the daily challenges of
marriage.
2.)
Respond
to verse 2:16 in prayer-
Devotion to
one another -- Pray and thank the Lord for the trust that He has put in you to
be a steward of a marriage that will affect many generations to come.
3.)
Respond
to verse 2:17 in prayer-
Desire and
Intimacy—Regardless of the state of your marital intimacy, there’s always room
for growth. Pray and seek the Lord for
His guidance during this “Summer of Sizzle.”
THE FUN STUFF…
Weekly Challenge
1. Make the choice to dedicate yourself to your spouse. Use your wedding ring (or ring finger if you
are not wearing your ring) to remind yourself to pray for your husband this
week. Every time you see it, say a quick
prayer.
2. Pray
WITH your husband
Books
Related To This Topic:
Coming Up...
June 4 - 2 Cute Tuesday "Prayer Boards"
June 6 - Prayer and Dedication by Kim Hawkins
June 9 - Join us live by phone or computer for a Group Discussion at 3:30 pm at:
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