God’s Special Gift and Design – Family Devotion – October 13, 2021

Read: Genesis 2:18-24

The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”

Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals.

But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.

The man said,
“This is now bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called ‘woman,’
for she was taken out of man.”

That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.
Genesis 2:18-24

God’s Special Gift and Design

 

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

“Just leave me alone!” Bryson was so angry and upset. He missed a shot that could have won the game for his team. When he got home, he didn’t want to see or talk to anybody. All he kept saying was, “Leave me alone! Leave me alooone!” as he stormed off to his bedroom.

But even though Bryson was upset and frustrated, his room was so boring! After about 45 minutes, he came out again. Bryson realized that he needed that hug his mom offered him and the encouraging words his dad always spoke to him. It wasn’t good to be alone.

Adam realized the same thing in the Garden of Eden. God gave him the special task of naming all the animals. But when Adam saw Mr. and Mrs. Cheetah and Mrs. and Mrs. Kangaroo, he realized that he didn’t have anyone. Adam then understood what God said in verse 18, “It is not good for the man to be alone.”

So God caused Adam to fall asleep. He took one of his ribs and used his mighty power to make a woman—Eve. God then blessed Adam and Eve as he created marriage. Ever since, a man and a woman can leave their own families and come together in marriage to start a new family. Since that time in the Garden of Eden, billions of people have been married throughout time and throughout the world.

God’s brilliant design was that husbands and wives would enjoy all kinds of amazing blessings. They love and support each other. They encourage and help each other. They have families with children together. In this amazing plan, whether you are young or old or married or single, you would always have somebody to love you and be with you so that you are not alone. May God bless all marriages and families so that they can enjoy the blessings he first designed!

Closing Prayer:

Lord God, thank you for your gift of marriage. It is a blessing for husbands, wives, and children. Help us to cherish this gift and to honor your designs for marriage. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• How did God help Adam to recognize that he was alone?
• Why is it not good for us to be alone in life?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Describe in your own words how God made Eve.
• Names as many blessings as you can that God planned for husbands and wives to have in marriage.

Questions for Middle School and Above

• God could have made Eve in any way he wanted—by snapping his fingers, or from the petals of flowers, or even from Adam’s pinky toe. Why do you think God specifically chose to make Eve from the rib of Adam? What message might God be communicating? (Hint: What’s the closest thing to your heart?)
• Marriages are not very successful in our world these days. Describe a way that Christians can grow in their understanding and appreciation of God’s special gift of marriage.

Hymn: CW 506:1,3-4 – Oh, Blest the House Whate’er Befall

Oh, blest the house, whate’er befall,
Where Jesus Christ is all in all!
A home that is not wholly his—
How sad and poor and dark it is!

Oh, blest the parents who give heed
Unto their children’s foremost need
And weary not of care or cost.
May none to them and heav’n be lost!

Blest such a house; it prospers well.
In peace and joy the parents dwell,
And in their children’s lives is shown
How richly God can bless his own.