On September 21, Mars Hill Church begins a ten-week series studying the Song of Songs, the Bible’s quintessential depiction of the relationship between husband and wife. The series will be preached by Pastor Mark, but it's otherwise quite different than anything we've done before. Here are nine things to know about the series:

1. "The Peasant Princess."

Thousands of years ago, a young peasant woman married a king and the two gave voice to history’s greatest love song, the Song of Songs. We have much to learn through her example in particular.

2. Q&A, part 1: text message from (almost) any campus.

For the first time ever, every service at every campus (except for Olympia and evening downtown) will by synced up via satellite, which means anyone at any campus can text in their questions for Pastor Mark to answer live at the end of his weekly sermon.

3. It’s about sex.

In a manner that is frank but not crass, the Song of Songs deals with the intimate relationship between a husband and a wife. Through the story of the Peasant Princess, we can learn how to have sex that is free—free from sin, idolatry, guilt, shame, condemnation, death, and separation from God—by having free and frequent marital intimacy.

4. It’s not about sex.

The biblical love story of the peasant princess moves from engagement to her wedding day and on into her married years, closing with a glimpse back at her life as a child who was raised by a single mom and brothers. Subsequently, this preaching series will have insight for young and old, parents and grandparents, singles and the engaged, and of course, husbands and wives.

5. Q&A, part 2: answer blogs.

With six campuses texting in questions, there’s a good chance Pastor Mark won’t have time to address every topic during the Sunday Q&A time. During the week, he’ll take the time to answer certain overflow questions here on the blog.

6. The Peasant Princess lives online.

Visit the forthcoming sermon series website and/or Facebook page to learn more about the world of the Peasant Princess.

7. It’s easy to invite your friends.

Here are some ideas how: 1) Pick up some informational postcards at a Mars Hill campus and use them as invitations. 2) Visit the Peasant Princess website and use the electronic invitation. 3) Ask your friend, "Would you like to go to church with me?"

8. Q&A, part 3: the female perspective.

On certain Sundays, Pastor Mark’s wife will join him on stage following the sermon to help answer some of the text message questions. These husband/wife Q&A sessions will not be vodcast, but the audio may be posted on the Mars Hill website. Pastor Mark writes in the forthcoming fall sermon series booklet, "Please pray for us because the work will be akin to juggling knives before a crowd—exciting but dangerous to be sure."

9. More than nine things…

Why is Mars Hill studying Song of Songs? How graphic will the series be? Will the content be appropriate for teenagers? How can I study ahead? If you still have more questions about the Song of Songs series, be sure to pick up a copy of the info booklet published specifically to prepare our congregation for this series. The booklet will be available at all Mars Hill campuses and on the Peasant Princess website beginning this Sunday, September 7. I hope you’ll join us for what’s shaping up to be a landmark sermon series in the life of Mars Hill Church.