Wisdom from Sensual Love Poetry?

06/16/21 • 14 min

We all long to be truly seen, known, and loved by God and others. We want to fully give ourselves to these deep relationships. The Song of Songs is about that desire, that dream that imagines the unity of Heaven and Earth. One day this dream will be fully realized, but until then, we have access to unity with Jesus. He invites us into a real and intimate relationship. And in him, we can know a love that cannot be quenched or swept away—a love that can overflow toward others and heal creation.

Bible Reading

Song of Songs 8:6-7

Reflection Questions

1. Think about an inspiring romantic relationship that you’ve witnessed in real life, a movie, or a book. What inspired you most about it?

2. What is one feature of that romance that could give you an example of what it means to be in a relationship with God?

3. What is one thing that might be hindering intimacy in your relationship with God? What is one small step you can take to grow in that area today?

Want to Go Deeper?

Check out this episode's Reflections Bible Study guide to watch a video and explore more detailed questions for personal study and group discussion. Go to bibleproject.com/study.
Show Credits

Host: Cheree Hayes

Message: Dr. Carissa Quinn

Cited: Davis, Ellen. "Reading the Song Iconographically." The Journal of Scriptural Reasoning, 2003.

Production and Bible Reading: Dan Gummel

Theme music: Grant William Harold

Background Music: "A Longing," by Sean Williams

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Bible Reading

Song of Songs 8:6-7

Reflection Questions

1. Think about an inspiring romantic relationship that you’ve witnessed in real life, a movie, or a book. What inspired you most about it?

2. What is one feature of that romance that could give you an example of what it means to be in a relationship with God?

3. What is one thing that might be hindering intimacy in your relationship with God? What is one small step you can take to grow in that area today?

Want to Go Deeper?

Check out this episode's Reflections Bible Study guide to watch a video and explore more detailed questions for personal study and group discussion. Go to bibleproject.com/study.
Show Credits

Host: Cheree Hayes

Message: Dr. Carissa Quinn

Cited: Davis, Ellen. "Reading the Song Iconographically." The Journal of Scriptural Reasoning, 2003.

Production and Bible Reading: Dan Gummel

Theme music: Grant William Harold

Background Music: "A Longing," by Sean Williams

Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

Previous Episode

One Handful of Rest

How can we approach our responsibilities in life with wisdom and healthy mindsets? In this episode, we open the book of Ecclesiastes and discover some practical advice for how to live realistically.

Bible Reading

Ecclesiastes 4:4-12

Reflection Questions

1. Everyone can relate to the desire to either escape or control their lives. Which approach do you relate to most?

2. What specific area of your life are you inclined to escape or control right now?

3. What would it practically look like for you to engage that area of your life with open-handed trust? What’s one small step you can take today?

Want to Go Deeper?

Check out this week’s Reflections Bible Study to watch a video and explore more detailed questions for personal study and group discussion. Go to bibleproject.com/study.

Show Credits

Host: Cheree Hayes

Message: Dr. Tim Mackie

Bible Reading: Michelle Jones

Production: Dan Gummel

Theme music: Grant William Harold

Background Music: "Approaching" by Be Still the Earth.

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Next Episode

The Deep Anguish of God

The prophetic books are intense, so it’s easy to skip ahead to more comfortable portions of the Bible. But Jesus often used the prophets’ words to describe what he was all about. So if we want to know Jesus, we need to read the prophets. And as we do, we can learn that when God’s people reject him, they are rejecting life itself. The disorder, chaos, and suffering that results is painful and it grieves God. But there is hope that God’s people can return to the life that he offers.

Bible Reading

Jeremiah 4:16-28

Reflection Questions

1. Imagine the power of the moment when God spoke, “let there be light” and said it was good. What is one way you’ve experienced God’s goodness as you’ve followed his life-giving words?

2. When we reject God’s life-giving words, sooner or later we are left with darkness, chaos, and void. This causes deep anguish. What is one way you have experienced anguish when you or others have rejected God’s words?

3. Take a moment to reflect in prayer. Ask God for one specific way you can respond to his words today. Listen for what he brings to mind.

Want to Go Deeper?

Check out this episode's Reflections Bible Study guide to watch a video and explore more detailed questions for personal study and group discussion. Go to bibleproject.com/study.

Show Credits