Genesis

After stating that man should not be alone and no suitable companion was currently found for him in what had so far been created, God caused Adam to sleep. He then took a portion of Adam's side and formed woman.

Answers will vary regarding the significance of this action. Some suggestions:

• Woman is part of man. They are interconnected and interdependent to create and sustain further human life.
• The two are compatible with each other.
• Selecting from Adam's side symbolizes that they serve side by side.
• She is to be a helpmeet; helping Adam meet his need and purpose in serving God.
• Her characteristics and nature were human but her likeness, like Adam's, was in the image of God.

Adam named her woman because she was taken from man. Adam acknowledged both her differences and her compatibility to himself.

It states the formation of the family as God intended. It further establishes the process whereby new families will be formed as independently functioning units. This new family does not diminish God's family plan but enhances it and guarantees the continuation of His creation.

Answers will vary. The intent of this question is to explore God's will in contrast with man's will. It will also serve as a basis for discussion in later lessons when students will examine the consequences when man disregards God's will.

Clearly God's intent is one woman for one man. God gave no indication for any other form of family. If the family fails, then society has no foundation for sustained growth, moral integrity and the continued search for God's will.

Intimacy – This describes the closeness between a couple not available in other relationships. This nourishes the trust and commitment that a marriage needs to succeed.

Exclusivity – This involves the absolute focus on each other physically, socially and on a spiritual level.

Longevity – God did not place a timeline on the relationship. Since death had not yet entered into man's existence the implication is that the marriage is for life. To this end, New Testament verses teach that only death or marital infidelity form the basis for dissolving the marriage.

Elements of these three may be present in a relationship but the more each of these are involved in an appropriately balanced way, the stronger the marriage remains as God intended.

God clearly has, as part of His purpose for man, that all his need be met. By creating a suitable companion in the form of a woman, God provided what Adam needed for his physical, social and spiritual needs. God continues to provide for our greatest need through His Son, Jesus. Through Jesus our need for forgiveness of sin and reconciliation to God is provided. Woman was created from and for man. God came to earth in the form of the man, Jesus Christ. He came forth from the woman God created to fulfill the role of Savior of all man and women.