This is my love, and this is my friend is how Song of Songs 5:16 describes the love between Shulammite (Solomon's wife) and King Solomon. What do you think is required in order for a relationship to be described in this manner? This session, Relational Investment, from the Explore the Bible study series on Living Wisely in a Foolish World will give you insight into investing wisely in relationships, especially the marriage relationship and your relationship with Christ.

Can you think of something that you had to work hard at obtaining? Perhaps it was a job, a position, a promotion, a house, or perhaps it was a relationship. Once you obtained it, did the hard work end? Of course not. If it was a job, you probably had to work harder in order to be successful. Or, in the case of a house, we all know that once you work hard to purchase a house you have to work even harder in order to keep the house in good shape. 

It’s no different when it comes to relationships, especially the marriage relationship. The work doesn’t stop with the wedding; it only begins. Every stage of life and situation you face together requires that you work hard to keep your relationship strong and vibrant.

This is equally true with your relationship with Christ. Salvation is only the beginning of a lifelong and eternal relationship that should be invested in daily so that your love for Him can grow and so that you can realize more fully the love He has for you.

The final passage of the session focuses on Shulammite describing her husband, Solomon, in Song of Songs 5:10-16. Her description is based on her love for him. 

Just as Shulammite lovingly describes her husband, the hymn, "Beautiful Savior" by Christiansen describes Jesus as our Beautiful Savior. It gives us a glimpse into the kind of words that  express the love we should have for Jesus Christ. Here are the words to that hymn: 

Do you remember anything about your elementary days? What about the first crush you had? Did you ever ask a friend to pass a note asking the question similar to this, “Do you love me? Check yes or no?” It all sounds silly today, but at the time that was something very special, unless of course the person checked “no”! When we become adults, we realize that relationships are a little more complicated especially since we live in a culture that doesn’t necessarily view relationships in the same way Christians might. Song of Songs (Solomon) gives us some incredible wisdom about Relational Foundations. This session of Explore the Bible will focus on three vital actions for maintaining healthy relationships.

There are only two sessions left in the “Living Wisely in a Foolish World” study. The study will take us to another Bible book that God led Solomon to write – the Song of Songs (Solomon). Both sessions will focus on building healthy relationships. Because healthy relationships matter to the Lord, we must become wise in how we invest in relationships. This session's passage provides three actions for building healthy relationships, especially between a husband and wife. Here are the actions:

• First, we should PROTECT OUR RELATIONSHIPS - Song of Songs 2:15
• Second, MUTUAL COMMITMENT is needed in order to sustain healthy relationships - Song of Songs 2:16-17
• Third, we should PRACTICE RESTRAINT - Song of Songs 3:1-5

The ideas give you a suggested "script" for teaching online or sharing via email.

Did you ever receive discipline growing up that you felt was inappropriate, unfair, or too harsh? How did you respond? How does that shape your view of discipline today? Accepting discipline will be the focus for this session of Explore the Bible.

Proverbs 29:2-3 provides the two environments in which godly discipline will be discussed -- the community and the home. It states:


Imagine living in a community that is heavily influenced by wise Christian leaders including godly church leaders, godly parents, and godly government officials. Those leaders unashamedly demonstrate their Christian faith and they act justly and live wisely. Verse 2 tells us that, in this setting, the people in the community rejoice!

However, when wicked leaders are placed over a community, the outcome is not the same. Instead of rejoicing, the people who live in their shadow find themselves groaning over their predicament. People are troubled as they observe social and moral values being corrupted by the views of the godless leaders. Wicked leaders will refuse to be disciplined and they are unjust in the ways they administer discipline to others.

Godly discipline is not only vital for the community, but it is vital for the home. Verse 3 leads us to think specifically about the home as it describes the joy that a man who loves wisdom will bring his father. Imagine watching your child blossom into a Christian leader in his or her home, church, and community. Imagine observing them using God’s wisdom in order to be the light of Christ in a dark, broken world. This proverb points out that this kind of response to godly discipline in the home will bring joy!

However, this isn’t always the outcome parents experience. If a child is stiff-necked and refuses the discipline of God or the parents, then the family can be torn apart. The child’s self-indulgence will put them on the path of satisfying their lusts. The expression of lust described in verse 3 happens to refer to prostitutes. Of course, lust takes a wide range of forms, but its outcome always takes the shape of destruction. Entire family fortunes can be wasted on a self-absorbed child’s foolish indulgences.

Despite these negative outcomes, there is an optimistic future for God’s people who have been made righteous because they placed their trust in Him. They will flourish, and as a result, the people in their community and family will rejoice. The resolve to live in a way that pleases the Lord emanates from a genuine love for His wisdom.

The downloadable study and the video Bible study will expand on all that Proverbs 29 has to say regarding godly discipline and it results for both the community and the home.

DOWNLOADABLE STUDY GUIDE
The ideas give you a "script" for teaching online or sharing via email.