Review:  Last week we wrapped up our time in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), and we talked about not only hearing His words, but following also. How did that go this past week? Any areas of praise or struggle?

Take a moment in prayer, welcoming the Spirit's presence. Then read Song of Songs 1:1. What has been your experience with Song of songs before, if any? How have you understood the book? What have been your impressions? 

Phil began sharing from Proverbs 1:20-23. Why is this helpful to have in our minds as we approach Song of songs? 

As Phil mentioned on Sunday, we will be approaching this Song with the 'shepherd interpretation.' Scholar Miles Van Pelt explains, "The Song of Songs is a poetic wisdom song that treats the topic of marriage and love from the perspective of a young woman. This woman has been taken into Solomon’s harem in order to be trained as a potential concubine (cf. Esther 2). She is a woman presented with the possibility of wealth, luxury, ease, and prestige if she will only give up the biblical, creational standard of marriage and love (Gen. 2:18–25). The Song, therefore, presents two men: Solomon, set in the context of his court and harem, and another male figure known by the woman, her true love, sometimes identified as the shepherd (e.g., Song 2:16; 6:3)."  How does this impact your view of the Song? 

The repeated refrain from the young woman in the song is “I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the does of the field, that you not stir up or awaken love until it pleases” (2:7; 3:5, 8:4). Why do you think this warning is so significant in the Song? Why is it still significant today? 

Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17. In what ways do you think God can use this Song for your "training in righteousness"? How can its wisdom impact your day to day life? 

Take time to pray asking for the Lord's Word to build you and His people up.