Reflection Questions

1. What are the reasons that bring you to God in prayer? How does this passage challenge you to approach prayer differently? 
2. Which reason for Paul's prayer for these saints stuck out to you the most? Their faith in Jesus or their love for others? Why? 
3. What struck you about what Paul prayed for these believers in vs 17 (and then repeated and expanded in verses 18-23)?
4. Why is hope (vs 18) and a deeper understanding of who Jesus is (vs 19-23) so important to Paul? How can that help to stoke the fire of our spiritual walk? 

Reflection Questions

1. What does it mean to you personally to be "sealed with the Holy Spirit"? How does this provide you with assurance?
2. Why would/should this passage challenge you to share the gospel with others?
3. Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as “the Helper” in John 14-16. How does understanding the Holy Spirit as a helper help you understand verses 13-14 and the role of the Holy Spirit?
4. How does the concept of the Holy Spirit as a "guarantee" of our inheritance shape your perspective on the future?

Reflection Questions

1. What does this passage teach you about Jesus? 
2. What does this passage teach you about sin/mankind? 
3. What does this passage teach you about God? 
4. What did God reveal to you from today’s passage? 
5. How can you apply today’s passage?

Reflection Questions

1. (vs 2) How are grace and peace related? Why are they central to the gospel?
2. (vs 3-6) What does this passage teach us about God the Father?
3. Why should the doctrine of election lead us to praise?
4. What is an application for you from today’s passage?

Reflection Questions

1. What resonated with you the most from Song of Solomon 8:5-14? Why?
2. How do we see Jesus in this passage? (Aka: What is the connection to the gospel?)

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3. (vs 5) What "wilderness" experiences (challenges, trials, difficult seasons) have you faced together in your marriage journey? How have you learned (or how can you learn better) to "lean on" each other for support and strength during those times?
4. (vs 6) How does viewing your marriage vow as an unbreakable "seal" influence how you handle disagreements or temptations?
5. (vs 6-7) How can you cultivate appropriate passion and protective jealousy (guarding the relationship) within your marriage, reflecting the depth God intended?
6. (vs 8-10) How does the principle of being a "wall" (guarding yourselves) apply within marriage today?
7. (vs 11-12) In what ways can you give yourselves more freely and joyfully to one another, resisting any temptation to be transactional or compare your relationship to worldly standards?
8. (vs 13-14) How intentionally do you make time to simply listen to your spouse's voice and share your lives amidst busyness? What hinders this, and how can you overcome it?

Reflection  Questions

1. What resonated with you the most from Song of Solomon 6:11-8:4? Why?
2. How do we see Jesus in this passage? (Aka: What is the connection to the gospel?)

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3. How can husbands cultivate a listening ear and responsiveness to their wives' needs and desires?
4. How does Solomon's poetic description of his wife's beauty contribute to her sense of security and value? How can a husband learn to see his wife as a treasure?
5. How does this passage portray the beauty and holiness of marital intimacy? How can couples keep the flame of desire alive in their marriage?
6. How can you prioritize spending quality time together? How can you cultivate a mutually satisfying sexual relationship?
7. How does the concept of the wife being a garden, relate to her care of her marriage?
8. How does viewing marriage through the lens of the gospel change how we interact with our spouse?

Reflection Questions

1. What resonated with you the most from Song of Solomon 5:9-6:10? Why?
2. How do we see Jesus in this passage? (Aka: What is the connection to the gospel?)

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3. How has God used friends in your marriage? (5:9)
4. What "word pictures" could you use to describe your spouse? (Think metaphors, similes, analogies – be creative!) How does seeing your spouse through the eyes of love change your perspective on everyday life? (5:10-16)
5. How does the phrase "I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine" reflect God's design for marriage? How does this mutual possession differ from unhealthy possessiveness? (6:1-3)
6. How does your spouse "overcome" you – in a positive sense? How do they inspire, challenge, and encourage you? (6:4-7)
7. How do you guard your marriage against distractions and competing priorities that could threaten this exclusivity? (6:8-9)
8. In light of the quote in 6:10... Husbands: How can this mindset be applied to daily marriage? Wives: How does it make you feel to be held in high esteem?

Reflection Questions

1. What resonated with you the most from Song of Solomon 5:2-8? Why?
2. How do we see Jesus in this passage? (Aka: What is the connection to the gospel?)

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3. How does this passage illustrate the potential for miscommunication or missed signals in a marriage? What can we learn from this about the importance of clear and consistent communication?
4. How does the woman's active pursuit of her beloved in this passage challenge us to think about the importance of pursuing one another in marriage, even after years of being together or even after conflict?
5. If miscommunication or missed opportunities have caused hurt in your marriage, how can you practice forgiveness and seek reconciliation?
6. How does the man's persistent knocking (v. 2) remind us of Christ's persistent pursuit of us, even when we are hesitant or resistant?
7. How does the woman's initial reluctance to open the door parallel our own sometimes-delayed response to Christ's call in our lives?

Reflection Questions

1. What resonated with you the most from Song of Solomon 4:1-5:1? Why?
2. How do we see Jesus in this passage? (Aka: What is the connection to the gospel?)

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3. What can we learn from this passage (vs 1-16) about the importance of verbal affirmation and expressing appreciation for our spouse?
4. While this passage celebrates physical intimacy, what other aspects of intimacy (emotional, spiritual) are also essential for a healthy marriage?
5. How can you practically apply the imagery of the 'garden enclosed' (vs 15) to protect their relationship from outside influences and temptations?
6. What steps can you take to cultivate a sense of delight and enjoyment in their relationship, even amidst the challenges of life? (4:16-5:1)
7. What is one specific thing you can do this week to express your love and appreciation for your spouse in a way that reflects the spirit of this passage?

Reflection Questions

1. What resonated with you the most from Song of Solomon 3? Why?
2. How do we see Jesus in this passage? (Aka: What is the connection to the gospel?)

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3. In verses 1-2, Shalummite is searching for her beloved. What are some 'nights' or periods of searching that couples might experience in their marriage? (e.g., feeling disconnected, facing challenges, etc.)? How can couples ensure that they do not drift apart and that they are continually 'seeking' one another?
4. When Shalummite finds her beloved (verses 3-4), she holds him and does not let him go. What does this image convey about the importance of security and commitment in marriage? What are practical ways couples can 'hold onto' their relationship and protect it from outside threats?
5. Verses 4-5 portray a passionate and intimate love. How can couples cultivate and maintain this kind of intimacy in their marriage? How does this passage show us that it is good and holy to have a deep desire for your spouse?
6. Verses 6-10 describe a grand procession. The 'sixty mighty men' surrounding the carriage emphasize protection and security. How important is a sense of security in a marriage? How can spouses provide this for each other? How does the idea of protection translate into modern-day marriages?
7. Read through John 20, Luke 19, Jeremiah 29:13-14, and Rev 19. How does Song of Solomon 3 help to visualize those passages?