January 10
Lesson 6
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BRIDE
DEVOTIONAL READING: John 10:7–15
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: John 10:1–11; Song of Solomon
SONG OF SOLOMON 6:4–12
4 Thou art beautiful, O my love, as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem, terrible as an army with banners.
5 Turn away thine eyes from me, for they have overcome me: thy hair is as a flock of goats that appear from Gilead.
6 Thy teeth are as a flock of sheep which go up from the washing, whereof every one beareth twins, and there is not one barren among them.
7 As a piece of a pomegranate are thy temples within thy locks.
8 There are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines, and virgins without number.
9 My dove, my undefiled is but one; she is the only one of her mother, she is the choice one of her that bare her. The daughters saw her, and blessed her; yea, the queens and the concubines, and they praised her.
10 Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners?
11 I went down into the garden of nuts to see the fruits of the valley, and to see whether the vine flourished, and the pomegranates budded.
12 Or ever I was aware, my soul made me like the chariots of Amminadib.
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My dove, my undefiled is but one; she is the only one of her mother, she is the choice one of her that bare her.
—Song of Solomon 6:9
SACRED GIFTS AND HOLY GATHERINGS
Unit 2: Four Weddings and a Funeral
LESSONS 5–9
LESSON AIMS
After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:
1. Explain the word pictures that describe the bride.
2. Tell how important it is for a husband to express appreciation for his wife.
3. State one way his or her church can help strengthen Christian marriages and offer assistance in doing so.
LESSON OUTLINE
Introduction
A. Obsession with Appearance
B. Lesson Background
I. Overwhelming Beauty (SONG OF SOLOMON 6:4–7)
A. Words of Love (vv. 4, 5a)
B. Description of Loveliness (vv. 5b–7)
What Is Beauty? It Depends!
II. Blessed Beauty (SONG OF SOLOMON 6:8–12)
A. Praised by Others (vv. 8, 9)
Honored by One’s Peers
B. Sought by Her Beloved (vv. 10–12)
Conclusion
A. An Issue of Interpretation
B. Inner and Outer Beauty
C. Prayer
D. Thought to Remember
HOW TO SAY IT
Amminadib (Hebrew) Uh-min-uh-dib.
Canaanite Kay-nun-ites.
Canticles Kan-tih-kulls (i as in tip).
Clairvaux Kler-vo.
Gilead Gil-ee-ud (G as in get).
Solomon Sol-o-mun.
Tirzah Tur-zuh.
_____________________________________________________________What Do You Think?
What are appropriate ways to praise one’s spouse’s physical appearance?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ In public
■ In family settings
■ On special occasions
■ Other
_____________________________________________________________
What Do You Think?
What unique ways have you seen or heard of someone expressing love for another?Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ In a marriage proposal
■ At a wedding
■ At a renewal of wedding vows
■ On a birthday
■ Other
_____________________________________________________________
What Do You Think?
How do expressions of love change appropriately at various stages of a couple’s relationship? Why?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ Engaged couples
■ Newlyweds
■ In child-rearing years
■ As empty-nesters
■ Other
_____________________________________________________________
What Do You Think?
What is a Christian reaction to the statement “Beauty will save the world” (from a novel)?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ Positive reactions
■ Negative reactions
_____________________________________________________________
What Do You Think?
What analogies would you suggest for describing inner qualities rather than physical beauty?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ 1 Samuel 16:7
■ Isaiah 53:2
■ Galatians 5:22, 23
■ 1 Peter 3:3, 4
■ Other
Conclusion
Into the Word
Give each learner a handout featuring the phrases below to complete. Say, “In today’s text, Solomon speaks glowingly of the one to whom he is attracted. Complete each of the expressions on your handout with a modern-day compliment.”
You are as beautiful as the city of ____________ (v. 4).
Your eyes make me _______________________ (v. 5a).
Your hair has the glossy sheen of ____________ (v. 5b).
Your smile makes me think of _______________ (v. 6).
Your face has the glow of __________________ (v. 7).
When other women see you, they ___________ (vv. 8, 9).
Your appearance reminds me of a morning that ______________ (v. 10).
When thoughts of you begin to drive me crazy, I go to to regain calm ______________ (v. 11).
When I think of you, I feel like _______________ (v. 12).
Into Life
Announce a brainstorming session by saying, “Let’s think of ways our church can encourage and strengthen Christian marriages.” Before beginning, stress that a brainstorm list accepts all suggestions for initial inclusion, so no negative reactions are allowed for ideas as first offered. Jot all responses on the board.
If the group hesitates or seems stuck, consider using stimulus questions such as the following to get ideas flowing: What could be included in our curriculum for teens and young adults in regard to Christian marriage? What wedding or anniversary gifts would best help couples think about the commitment they make at and in marriage? How could our class provide childcare for parents to have periodic getaways? What about financial planning guidance?
_____________________________________________________________
Krause, Mark S. et al. “The Most Beautiful Bride.” The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2015–2016. Ed. Ronald L. Nickelson and Jim Eichenberger. Vol. 63. Cincinnati, OH: Standard Publishing, 2015. 168. Print.
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