God created us to function according to His perfect design, and for all of human history, our world has been male and female. But our ever-changing culture faces challenges due to sin. More than ever the church needs to be a safe refuge for the gender confused, the sexually broken, the single, the married, and the divorced.
In this study, Matt Chandler gives evidence that God’s plan for man and woman is the ultimate design. And life lived within this beautiful and unchanging design is part of His greater purpose for humanity.
Week 1: In the Beginning
God is the Creator of all things. His design for the universe is perfect and timeless. Because God designed the universe in good order, we can be sure that orienting our ever-changing lives around God’s unchanging design will result in our good and His glory.
Week 2: In His Image
In Genesis 1-2, the narrative describes how God creates man and woman and why He creates them. We are created to be His image bearers and to be in relationship with Him. This is our identity.
Week 3: Man’s Purpose
When God creates man, He gives him a unique identity and purpose in life. God designs a specific role for man to fulfill and, by living out that role, to increase human flourishing.
Week 4: Man’s Hurdles
God creates man with a specific role and purpose, but when sin enters the world, everything becomes fractured. Now, because of the Fall, man wrestles with particular sins and struggles.
Week 5: Man’s Redemption
Although man repeatedly struggles with sin, the cleansing power of the gospel erases all past, present and future failures. Man and his purposes are redeemed through the person and work of Jesus Christ.
Week 6: Incomplete
In Genesis 2, after God creates man, He declares that it is not good for man to be alone. Something is missing. Out of man, God creates woman to complete the picture of Creation. They are intended to live and flourish together.
Week 7: Woman’s Purpose
When God creates woman, He gives her a unique identity and purpose in life. God designs a specific role for woman to fulfill and, by living out that role, to increase human flourishing.
Week 8: Woman’s Hurdles
God creates woman with a specific role and purpose, but when sin enters the world, everything becomes fractured. Now, because of the Fall, woman wrestles with particular sins and struggles.
Week 9: Woman’s Redemption
Although woman repeatedly struggles with sin, the cleansing power of the gospel erases all past, present and future failures. Woman and her purposes are redeemed through the person and work of Jesus Christ.
Week 10: Together For the Gospel
God designs men and women to be equal in value but different in role. Together, they help each other and the Church. When men and women fulfill their God-given roles, joy and human flourishing abound.