1. “In The Beginning…” …

2. Lessons About Life Revealed In The Scripture’s First Book

3. “In The Beginning…” The Importance Of A Good Marriage Matt Davis

4. “In The Beginning…” Gen. 2:18,20b-24: “And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.”…”But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him. And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. 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.” Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” The Importance Of A Good Marriage

5. “In The Beginning…” Bible Examples Illustrating the Importance of Selecting a Spouse  Abraham – Gen. 24:1-4  Isaac – Gen. 28:1-2  Jehoshaphat – 2 Chron. 17:3-6; 19:3; 18:1; 21:5-6 The Importance Of A Good Marriage

6. “In The Beginning…” Phil. 1:9-11: “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” The Importance Of A Good Marriage

7. “In The Beginning…” Objective Love: “…Abound …in knowledge and all discernment…”  Abound – Overfilled, running over (Luke 6:38)  Knowledge – Knowledge that is advanced, precise, full (Col. 3:2)  Discernment – Judgement, perception, making use of (knowledge) (Heb. 5:14) The Importance Of A Good Marriage

8. “In The Beginning…” The Results of Objective Love:  Approve of things excellent (1 Thes. 5:21- 22)  Be sincere and without offense  Filled with the fruits of righteousness The Importance Of A Good Marriage

9. “In The Beginning…”  Abounding  Knowledge  Discernment  Approve things excellent  Sincere (pure) and without offense  Filled with the fruits of righteousness The Importance Of A Good Marriage Applying Biblical, Objective Love to Dating and Marriage

10. “In The Beginning…” Love Misunderstood – Prov. 7:18  Lack of preparation (7:7b)  Feelings and appearances are used as guides (7:10,21)  High cost (7:22-23,26-27) The Importance Of A Good Marriage

11. “In The Beginning…” Examining the Value System of Those You Date – God’s Value  What is God’s value? (Luke 1:25-27; Eccl. 12:13)  Above personal aspirations? (Phil. 3:4-11)  Above material possessions? (Mat. 6:24) The Importance Of A Good Marriage

12. “In The Beginning…” Examining the Value System of Those You Date – God’s Value  What is the value of His word? (Ps. 119:2; 2 Tim. 2:15; 3:14-15)  Is it the standard? (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:3)  Is it the judge? (John 12:48) The Importance Of A Good Marriage

13. “In The Beginning…” Examining the Value System of Those You Date – Your Value In the roles God has assigned? (Mat. 19:4-5; Gen. 3:16b) The Importance Of A Good Marriage Men  As leaders (Eph. 5:22; Josh. 24:15b)  As fathers (Gen. 18:19; Eph. 6:4)  As providers (1 Tim. 5:8) Women  In submission (Eph. 5:22; 1 Pet. 3:1,5-6)  As mothers (Titus 2:4b)  In managing the home (Titus 2:5; Prov. 31:13-19)

14. “In The Beginning…” Examining the Value System of Those You Date – Your Value  Can you recognize the more intangible qualities of a godly spouse in those you date? (Prov. 31:12; 1 Pet. 3:7) The Importance Of A Good Marriage

15. “In The Beginning…” Determining Depth of Character  How will he/she respond in the face of adversity?  Joseph – Gen. 39:6-12  Daniel – 1:3-14  Joshua/Caleb – Num. 14:1-10  Paul – Gal. 2:1-5 The Importance Of A Good Marriage

16. “In The Beginning…” Romans 13:13-14: “Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.”  Provision – forethought, care, or supply. The Importance Of A Good Marriage

17. “In The Beginning…” “…make no provision for the flesh…”  Avoid relationships founded on or sustained by fleshly lust and sexual desire  Immodest Dress (Mat. 5:27-29)  Physical Contact (1 Tim. 5:1-2)  Choosing activities, locations and companions The Importance Of A Good Marriage

18. “In The Beginning…” Conclusion: The Importance of “Love Abounding…in Knowledge and All Discernment”  God’s plan for marriage is a life-long plan. (Mat. 19:4-5; Gen. 2:24)  A poor choice will have life-long consequences. (Prov. 21:9; 1 Pet. 3:1-2,7) The Importance Of A Good Marriage

19. “In The Beginning…” …