icon__search

Song of Songs

The Gift of Intimacy

Waiting for Intimacy

Song of Songs 4:1–7, Song of Songs 8:5–7, Song of Songs 1:2–4, Song of Songs 2:3–4

For further reflection: 1. Read Song of Songs 3:5: “I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, By the gazelles or by the hinds of the field, that you do not arouse or awaken my love Until she pleases.” Throughout the book, the narrator paints a picture of her relationship with her husband to show how beautiful and worth-waiting-for committed, marital intimacy is. How would you compare and contrast sex outside of marriage with sex between married spouses? 2. Read Song of Songs 8:6-7: “Put me like a seal over your heart, Like a seal on your arm. For love is as strong as death, Jealousy is as severe as Sheol; Its flashes are flashes of fire, The very flame of the Lord. Many waters cannot quench love, Nor will rivers overflow it.” Come up with a set of adjectives to characterize the love between the husband and wife described in this verse. Then, because marriage is a picture of Christ and the church, discuss how these adjectives also describe our relationship with God. 3. If you are single, how does the Bible’s perspective on sexual intimacy apply to your life right now? If you are married, in what ways does your marriage reflect Christ’s relationship with the church?

Restoring Intimacy

Song of Songs 5:2–7

For further reflection: 1. Read Song of Songs 5:16: “His mouth is full of sweetness. And he is wholly desirable. This is my beloved and this is my friend, You daughters of Jerusalem.” The wife says this line about her husband shortly after they have a conflict. Why do you think it could be a helpful practice to think about what you admire in the person you are experiencing conflict with? 2. Read Romans 5:8: “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” How does this verse describe our state when Christ sought reconciliation with us? When you have a conflict, what do you tend to expect from the other person before you seek reconciliation with them? 3. If you are single, think about an unresolved conflict you have with someone close to you. If you are married, think about an unresolved conflict with your spouse. Reflect on how you could take the first step towards healthy reconciliation.

Renew Together: Wisdom Book Series