5-Day Reading Plan – Week 1
Theme: Husbands and Wives – The Covenant of Harmony
Opening Thought
God designed marriage as more than a contract—it’s a covenant. At the heart of every covenant is intimacy: knowing and being known. This week’s readings will remind us that marriage was God’s idea, that intimacy with Him brings life, and that our marriages are meant to reflect His everlasting covenant love through Jesus Christ.
Day 1 – Intimacy is Life
John 17:3 (NLT):
“And this is the way to have eternal life—to know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one You sent to earth.”
Reflection: Eternal life is not about religion but relationship. True life flows from intimacy with God. Just as intimacy is essential for covenant relationships here on earth, intimacy with God is the foundation for all life.
Day 2 – Marriage Was God’s Idea
Genesis 2:21–24 (NLT):
“So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep. While the man slept, the Lord God took out one of the man’s ribs and closed up the opening. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib, and He brought her to the man. ‘At last!’ the man exclaimed. ‘This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh! She will be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken from ‘man.’ This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.”
Reflection: Marriage was not invented by culture or courts—it was instituted by God. It is the very first covenant between people, created to bring unity and harmony that reflect His heart.
Day 3 – Covenant, Not Contract
Luke 22:20 (NLT):
“After supper He took another cup of wine and said, ‘This cup is the new covenant between God and His people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.’”
Reflection: Contracts depend on performance. Covenants depend on promise. In marriage, just as with God’s covenant in Christ, love is measured not by convenience but by commitment and sacrifice.
Day 4 – Marriage Reflects Christ and the Church
Ephesians 5:25, 31–32 (NLT):
“For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up His life for her… As the Scriptures say, ‘A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one.”
Reflection: Marriage is designed to preach the gospel. The way a husband and wife love, honor, and sacrifice for each other is meant to be a living illustration of Christ’s love for His church.
Day 5 – Honor the Covenant
Hebrews 13:4 (NLT):
“Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery.”
Reflection: God calls us to honor marriage, treating it as holy ground. Faithfulness protects covenant intimacy and allows it to flourish. When we honor marriage, we honor God Himself.
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