The Woman's Identity in the Family (Genesis 2:18-25)

CBCNC Youth Sunday School 28Mar2004

1. WORK OF ART

   "Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man." (v22)

   • made ("banah"): fashioned, built with design and aesthetic, beauty
   • 1 Peter 3:3-4: what is inner beauty?

2. HELPMEET

   "The LORD God said, `It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.' " (v18)

   • helper ("ezer"): surrounds, defends, strengthens, builds up
   • suitable ("kenegdo"): corresponding, equal, set before one's face
   • Ephesians 5:24: wives: allow your husband to take the lead
   • Ephesians 5:25: husbands: love your wives sacrificially

3. ONE WITH HER HUSBAND

   "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." (v24)

   • united ("dabaq"): joined, cleave unto, keep close, hold onto
   • Proverbs 4:23: guard your heart: don't join yourself emotionally to someone before God has shown you.

For Reflection:

For the girls:

1. Do you think of yourself as beautiful? What are some aspects of your life or personality in which you can train up the inner beauty of 1Pet3:3-4?
2. What do you think it means for the wife to submit to her husband?
3. If you think you're starting to "like" a guy, what should you do first? How do you guard your heart and your emotional integrity?

For the guys:

1. What do you look for in a girl? What do you think makes someone beautiful?
2. The wife is designed as a "helpmeet" of her husband. What are some ways in which you can ask for help from the girls?
3. In Job 31:1, what do you think it means to make a covenant with your eyes? What should you do if you find yourself about to break that covenant?

Use the back of this sheet to write down your group's prayer requests.