Marriage 3 – unity

The aim of this devotional study is to reflect on the nature and purpose of marriage, focusing on the phrase “and they shall become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24).

Scripture

Malachi 2:14-16

14  But you say, “Why does [the Lord not answer our prayers]?” Because the LORD was witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. 15  Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth. 16  “For the man who does not love his wife but divorces her, says the LORD, the God of Israel, covers his garment with violence, says the LORD of hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless.”

Observation

1. Consider verse 15 “Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth.”
   1. Who “made them one”?
   2. Whom was made one?
   3. How did he make them one?
   4. Why did he make them one?
   5. What should be the response (or attitude) of those being made one?
2. Note the repeated phrase at the end of verses 15 and 16 “So guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless”
   1. What does that suggest of the importance of the phrase?
   2. What does that imply of the relationship between verses 15 and 16?
3. Consider verse 16 “For the man who does not love his wife but divorces her, says the LORD, the God of Israel, covers his garment with violence, says the LORD of hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless.”
   1. What did we learn about “man” and “his wife” in verse 15?
   2. Try to put Malachi’s thoughts in your own words by describing how the phrases “make them one” relate to the concepts of “divorce”, “violence” and “guard your spirit”?
4. According to this Text, what is the most important way to preserve the unity God has established in marriage?

Personal reflection and Prayer

When the wedding vows are made before God and witnesses, the two become one as God pours a portion of his spirit in their union. Therefore Malachi calls to preserve the precious unity by faithfulness and watchfulness.

1. From your personal experience and observations,
   1. what are the most destructive attitudes and actions to the unity within marriage?
   2. how do you “guard yourself” against these things?
2. One way of “guarding yourself” is to be “watchful in prayer.” Now pray against these destructive attitudes and actions in yourself, or a married couple that is one your heart.

Five-Fold Ministry 1

The aim of this devotional Bible Study is to grow in understanding of the ministry within the local church, and its purpose in your life.

Scripture

Ephesians 4:1-16

1  I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2  with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3  eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  4  There is one body and one Spirit–just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call– 5  one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6  one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

7  But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.  8  Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” 9  (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth?  10  He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)

11  And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12  to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13  until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14  so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

15  Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16  from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Observation

Note: Paul wrote this letter to a divided, conflicting church, appealing for their peace and unity in Christ, since both groups have been saved by grace through faith and brought near to God and built into one House for God (see Ephesians chapter 2).

1. As we frequently do, briefly summarize the message of these sections in your own words.

• Verses 1-6
• Verses 7-10
• Verses 11-14
• Verses 15-16

2. How do you understand the phrase “to each is given a gift according to Christ’s grace”?
3. In verse 11 Paul mentions five offices given to the church. In your own words list the purpose of these “offices” in the church.

Reflection

1. In this section, how do you see the progression of Paul’s chain of thought from “UNITY” to “CHRIST’S GIFTS” to “FIVE-FOLD MINISTRIES” to “GROWING UP”?
2. When you see “apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers” do you view them as “gifts from Christ to the church”? Why? Why not?
3. In which ways do these ministers (the leaders in church whom you know) contribute to your spiritual growth?
4. How can you position yourself in relation to these ministers to allow for more effective growth? (Or, what can you do to maximize your growth by their help?)

Application and prayer

In meditating on this text, talk with God about UNITY in your Congregation, to the ministers Christ has gifted your church with, as well as your growth “into the fullness of Christ himself.”  Prayerfully reflect on what you have grown in recently, and what are you growing in currently that makes you look more like Christ.