God's love song. Your love story.

The breathtaking beauty of God's design for romance, passion, and marriage is already resting on your nightstand.Discover the Song of Songs.

Why Song of Songs for your marriage?Tucked away near the center of your Bible is a neglected little book that offers a breathtaking picture of what marriage is meant to be. The pages drip with romance, passion, and an all-surpassing love. It offers a glimpse of the Garden of Eden, a relationship in which husband and wife were fully intimate with God and with one another. This is the marriage you were dreaming of when you said, "I do," and this is the marriage that God intends you to pursue until death do you part.Song of Songs beckons us deep into the consuming love of God. It offers more than quick fixes and repackaged cliches. The truth and beauty of this book invites us to believe that there is a greater love and a more ardent passion than we imagined, and that we are intended to give, receive, and delight in it till death do us part—and beyond.

Why Song of Songs for men?"Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! For your love is better than wine." Song of Songs 1:2 (ESV)From its first line to its last, Song of Songs ignites a yearning in the heart of man to be the husband who elicits such desire from the woman he loves. Men have an inborn desire to slay the dragon and rescue the princess, but in a broken world, many men give up the fight.Song of Songs calls a man back into the battle, reigniting hope that he can be what he has always longed to be. It directs his efforts against the enemies that truly threaten the ones he loves and teaches him to fight in the strength of a love that is larger and stronger than his own.

Why Song of Songs for women?The fabric of Song of Songs is woven with admiration and respect. It flows back and forth between husband and wife in a beautiful exchange, and it is evidenced in the beloved bride's sense of inherent dignity and self-worth.The world subjects a woman to shallow judgments, criticisms, and comparisons that challenge her sense of value at every turn. Song of Songs invites a woman to believe that she was created with a surpassing beauty that transcends the changing tides of fashion and popular opinion. She is worthy of admiration, respect, passionate pursuit, and devoted love.Song of Songs beckons a woman to live out this deep beauty in heroic love and exceptional character. This is the profound loveliness that leads a husband to declare with the Creator:"You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you." Song of Songs 4:7 (ESV)

Why Song of Songs for the church?The church is not a building, a set of programs, or a staff. The church of Jesus Christ is a community of people who have been saved by faith and filled with His Spirit.As husbands and wives within the congregation grow to love each other as Christ loved us, the church grows more vibrant. A husband who is in love, not just with his wife, but with her Creator, will raise his children to know and love the Lord. A wife who admires both her husband and the God who created him will find endless opportunity to share her faith.As Christian homes thrive, the church of Jesus Christ thrives.

Why Fire and Song?The beauty and wisdom of Song of Songs is contained in Hebrew poetry that is 3000 years old. It is a book of tremendous depth and power, but the truth it contains is impossible to access without diligent study or a trustworthy guide.Many books exist to explain Song of Songs, but we need to go beyond understanding Song of Songs. We need to be captured by it, to long for the love that God desires us to have.Fire and Song takes a new approach. The beauty and power of a God-centered romance is first illustrated through a modern-day story. Then visually rich study notes allow you to dive deeper into the text and work out the implications of the Song of Songs in your own life.God's love song. Your love story.

Opening Chapter

Integrated Teaching

Corresponding Study

Opening Chapter

Integrated Teaching

Corresponding Study

In addition to the novel which includes integrated teaching, Fire and Song provides visually rich study notes for the entire book of Song of Songs, presented in a personal way that flows directly out of the story.

There is no better way to study the scriptures than to learn from someone who has not just understood the words on the page, but who has already taken them to heart and is living God's Word. If you are pursuing a marriage that reflects the Song of Songs, why not seek out a Christian couple whose marriage you admire and get to know them? Find out how they have learned to live out God's design for love, romance, and passion through the ups and downs of life.This booklet is designed to help you do exactly that, and it is yours, free, no strings attached. Here you will find a series of interviews that will help you learn both from the Word of God and from the experience of two people who have been living out His Word for years.Step 1: Download by clicking on the picture below.

Step 2: Share this with a couple whose marriage you admire, and ask if they would be willing to share their story through these interviews.Step 3: Develop a deeper relationship with God, your spouse, and a wonderful Christian couple.

Marriage MentoringThis free booklet provides you with a simple way to deepen your relationship with God, with your spouse, and with a couple whose marriage you admire.

Encouraging WordMake sure you sign up for Carl's Encouraging Word emails. These messages come a few times a year to help you stay tuned in to the love of God for you, as you express that love to your spouse.

Carl's ChurchCarl is the Discipleship Pastor for Trinity Lutheran Church. Follow his work there for sermons, podcasts, and more at carllehenbauer.com/church.

Your ChurchThe best resources are not print and digital, but flesh and blood. The free marriage mentoring curriculum listed above is a great way to mine the riches that already exist in your Christian friendships. If you are not already part of a Biblical, Christ-centered congregation, there is no better time to prayerfully seek one out. Get a head start at carllehenbauer.com/church.

Gary Thomas - Author and SpeakerGary Thomas is the author of a number of excellent books on Christian marriage and relationships and maintains two active blogs. If you are not sure where to start, his book Sacred Marriage is highly recommended. Find all his work at GaryThomas.com.

BibleProject - Videos and PodcastsIf you are looking for a way to deepen your understanding of the scriptures, Tim Mackie, Jon Collins and the team at BibleProject provide insightful teaching in engaging ways. Check out their website where you can link to their podcast, Youtube channel, and more.

Andrew Peterson - Singer, Songwriter, and AuthorAndrew's music reflects a deep faith that wrestles honestly with the brokenness of this world. Dancing in the Minefields is a tribute to the beautiful power of the marriage vow. Watch the video on Youtube or visit Andrew-Peterson.com to find the rest of his work.

Pastors and Spiritual Leaders

Interested in using Fire and Song in your church? We want to make it as easy as possible for you to share Song of Songs with your congregation.

Ideas

Fire and Song is a flexible resource in a congregation. Use it for...

Marriage Mentoring Conversation Guide

Small Group
Discussion Guides

Marriage Retreat Curriculum

Opening Chapter

Integrated Teaching

Corresponding Study