Why was the preservation of the family line so important to people in the ancient Near East and in the Greco-Roman world? How is this made clear in scripture?
Compare and contrast the laws about marriage in Deuteronomy vs. 1 Corinthians. What might account for their differences? Where is there similarity?
Compare gender roles associated with married women in the Hebrew Bible to those in the New Testament. How are they similar? How are they different?
Applying the Text:
When scriptural passages disagree with one another or even contradict each other, how can we discern where God is speaking to us in these passages?
Do you find “biblical marriage” to be a helpful concept for your own life and faith? Why or why not?
How would you respond to someone who asked you how the Bible defines marriage?