Read Song of Songs 5:10-16 and John 15:13-15
“My lover is dark and dazzling, better than ten thousand others! . . .His mouth is sweetness itself; he is desirable in every way. Such, O women of Jerusalem, is my lover, my friend.” - Song of Songs 5:10, 16 (NLT)
“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends. . .” - John 15:13-15 (NLT)
Discover
1. What final word does the woman use to describe her lover in Song of Songs?
2. What word does Jesus use to describe those who follow and obey Him in John 15?
3. What does love do for one’s friends?
Respond
If you’re married, have you ever had moments of loving your spouse without liking them? Just as we cultivate our faith by strengthening our friendship with God, we also cultivate our marriage by strengthening our friendship with our spouses. Ask God now to give you creativity in how you can strengthen your friendship with your spouse in any number of ways. Consider the areas of communication, connection, or even counseling. Married or not, ask God to help you grow in sacrificial love in the friendships in your life.
For Further Reading: Twelve Steps to a Deeper Friendship with Your Spouse
*For more practical resources related to this week’s readings, visit tpcc.org/marriage-resources.
**TPCC does not necessarily endorse all For Further Reading/Learning sources. They are simply meant to be a helpful tool.
For Families with Kids at Home
While it might seem like a given, parenting is marked by sacrificial love and laying down our lives for our kids. But that doesn’t mean it comes easily. Today, ask God to grow you in sacrificial love for your kids, and that as you parent, you wouldn’t parent out of selfishness but out of love.