Mr. and Mrs. Better Half
This morning, we continue our new life lesson series, “Mr. and Mrs. Better Half”. This series is a biblical look at marriage, the uniqueness of men and women, and how the two halves, the husband and the wife, make an incredible whole. This goes way beyond two people in love wearing, “He’s my best friend!” and “She’s my best friend!”, sappy sweaters. In this series, we’ll be searching through God’s Word and surrendering ourselves to God’s will and way. Last week, we learned the man, the husband, is the head, and, the woman, the wife, is the helper. Today, let’s look at the importance of ONE FLESH in marriage.

The Man Shall LEAVE His Father and Mother.
So, what is “one flesh” all about? First, A man shall LEAVE his father and mother. Genesis 2:24a (ESV) says, “Therefore a man shall LEAVE his father and his mother…” God’s design for marriage has always been for the man to leave his family, join his wife, and unite with her. He leaves one family to start a new family. This doesn’t mean they sever all ties from their extended family. In biblical days, extended families were quite close and interdependent. But, “one flesh” does mean to establish a new home distinct from the parents. The husband and wife now put their spouse’s welfare before that of their parents.

A Man Shall CLEAVE to His Wife.
Second, A man shall CLEAVE to his wife.Genesis 2:24b (ESV) says, “…and hold fast (cleave - KJV) to his wife…” Cleave means “to unite, join, adhere, hold fast, and stick together.” But, it’s more than Rose, in Titanic, saying, “I will never let go, Jack. I’ll never let go.” Multiply the idea of super glue to infinity and we glimpse God’s design/desire for our marriages. In our vows, we said, “I take you for my wife/husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, until death do us part.” Cleaving to your spouse is a God created covenant and commitment!

They Shall Become One FLESH.
Finally, They shall become one FLESH. Genesis 2:24c (ESV) says, “…and they shall become one flesh.” One flesh, between the husband and wife, is not a fictional, superficial, or temporal union. It’s a physical, spiritual, emotional, parental, financial, beneficial, and lifelong union! For sure, they are still two persons. But, together, the husband and wife are as ONE. If you’re struggling to leave, cleave, and become one flesh in your marriage, do this. Re-pent of your sin. Re-member your life to the crucified, resurrected, and forgiving Jesus. Re-focus your marriage on God’s design. And, re-joice in your spouse!

Closing Prayer
Let’s pray. Lord, Martin Luther said, “There is no more lovely, friendly or charming relationship, communion or company, than a good marriage.” Lord, we know marriages in our church, community, and culture are under constant attack! Lord, where our marriages are failing, show us Your forgiveness of our sin. Lord, where our marriages are hurting, show us Your mercy and Your grace. Lord, where our marriages are weak, show us the power of Your Spirit. And, Lord, where we fail to love, remind us of 1 Peter 4:8 (NIV), “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”

Small Group Questions
· Icebreaker questions: When it comes to dating/marriage, what do you look for or like most in a relationship with another?
· Read Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:5, Mark 10:7, 1 Corinthians 6:16, Ephesians 5:31. What’s the common verse? What does it mean?
· Part 1 of “one flesh” is to leave your father and mother. What are some challenges you’ve experienced in marriage with this?
· Part 2 of “one flesh” is to cleave (hold fast) to your spouse? What are some challenges you’ve experienced in marriage with this?
· Why is “one flesh” not fictional, superficial, or temporal but rather a physical, spiritual, emotional, parental, financial, life long union?
· For next week, read Ephesians 5:21-33. What does “mutual submission out of reverence for Christ” mean for your marriage?