Why is marriage such a big deal in the Bible? God designed marriage to reflect the wonder of his gospel and to be the foundation for building flourishing families in his image. A godly marriage is like a garden: it displays unique, refreshing beauty, but hard work is required to keep it healthy and growing. Because of the Fall, marriages today are overgrown with distractions, sexual sins, and selfishness that threaten to destroy this good gift from our Father. The Scriptures use language of adultery and marriage to describe our relationship with God, so our ultimate hope lies in the true Bridegroom whom we will join at the Wedding Supper of the Lamb. Whether married or not, we must all fight to treat the marriage bed with honor as the incarnational reflection of Jesus’s love for his people. Join Pastor Trey Hildebrandt and Matt McGee to be equipped and encouraged as you tend, protect, and keep the garden of marriage holy. Episode Chapters Sponsored by Orlando Christian University (0:00 - 0:45) 1. The Elevated Beauty of Biblical Marriage from Creation to Gospel Redemption (0:46 – 7:45) 2. Tending the Garden of Marriage by Cultivating Time, Fun, and Prayer (7:46 – 20:45) 3. Protecting the Garden of Marriage by Uprooting Sin through Repentant Confession (20:46 – 37:06) 4. Keeping the Garden of Marriage Together, Surrounded by Wise Friends (37:07 – 44:14) Pastor’s Note: When the Garden is Desecrated by Abuse, Abandonment, or Adultery (44:15 – 46:25) Featured on the Firstword Podcast Network (46:26 - 47:24) Reflection Questions Does biblical marriage only bless those who are currently married? What practical wisdom from this episode challenges how you love your partner? Who are trustworthy friends that will come alongside your marriage to fight for you and your spouse as you face sin, repentance, and forgiveness?What role is there for single, divorced, widowed, etc. people to play in keeping the garden of marriage?How does Jesus as our Bridegroom transform our hope while we grieve the pain of broken marriages? Scripture References Genesis 1:26-31 Genesis 2:18-20 Genesis 2:21-25 Song of Songs 2:1-17 Song of Songs 8:6-7 Ephesians 5:21-33 Hebrews 13:4 Revelation 19:6-16 Revelation 21:1-27 Referenced Resources The Princess Bride, directed by Rob Reiner Bill Curl & Lucy Pat Curl - "Pastor offers 'nothing but forgiveness' for man who murdered his wife," Florida Baptist Convention His Needs, Her Needs, by Willard F. Harley, Jr. The Meaning of Marriage, by Tim Keller Momentary Marriage, by John Piper Reengage | Watermark Church First Orlando Marriage Workshop & Prep for Marriage Interested in an affordable, personalized, and biblically-trustworthy education? Go to orlandochristianuniversity.org to learn more about how Orlando Christian University might be the right place for you! Visit the FirstWord Podcast Network at orlandochristianuniversity.org/podcasts to find more episodes of “Between the Lines with Trey Hildebrant” or to discover the “FirstWord” and “Purpose Driven Leaders” podcasts releasing Fall 2026. If you want to grow in wisdom, godly community, and faith in our trustworthy God, come visit First Orlando on a Sunday morning or watch a service livestreamed to your home. Visit firstorlando.com for more information. We’d love to see you there! Show Credits Today’s episode was sponsored and produced by Orlando Christian University on the FirstWord Podcast Network. Video production by Stephen Whitaker, producer, and audio production by Alex Dombach. Show notes by Tucker Kemp, assistant producer. Design by Gissel Valois and project support by Patrick Barrett. Thank you to Dr. Steve Whitaker, OCU President and FirstWord CEO, for his vision and leadership over this podcast. Matt McGee is our host, and our featured co-host is Trey Hildebrant, lead teaching pastor of First Orlando. Powered and distributed by Spotify for Creators.
