Uncomplicated: Relationships – Hope For Hurting Marriages

Worship: Spend time throughout the week during your time with God listening to Make Room by Community Music. As you spend time in worship, be reminded that God is and always will be faithful.

Check-In: What relationship in your life have you been most grateful for this week and why?

Bible Readings: Anchor: Matthew 6:33; Psalms 127:1; Malachi 2:13-16; Matthew 26:38-39; John 6:38; Luke 22:20; Ephesians 5:25; Philippians 2:5; Colossians 3:14; 1 John 4:19; Ephesians 3:17-18 (LB)

Preparation and Discussion for Group Time:

1. What were you doing in the beginning of your marriage that you aren’t doing now? How can you practically pursue your spouse in the same way that you did at the start of your relationship? (Side note: We can apply the principle of intentional pursuit to all relationships.)
   
2. God’s covenant plan for marriage is good for us despite alternatives that the world may offer. However, we cannot fulfil God’s intention for our marriage without first considering our personal love for God and our personal relationship with Him. Do you currently put God firsts, is he the head of your life? Would you say that God has the ultimate authority to speak into your marriage?
   
3. The world has offered us a view that marriage or relationship should be seen as a contractual agreement. We see from the truth of God’s Word that marriage is a covenant commitment. A covenant is a chosen relationship in which two people make binding promises to each other and work together to reach a common goal.
   
   What contractual views (distrust, personal convenience etc.) do you need to let go of to start prioritizing your marriage as a covenant commitment?
   
4. Ps Daniel shared two principles to hold on to: “Love is not a feeling, it’s a choice” and “The capacity to love comes from receiving love”. If we can apply these two principles it will give HOPE to our marriage. Share with the group what practical steps you can take, as you apply these principles and to bring hope to your marriage.

Prayer time: Take an opportunity to pray for your own marriage. Pray that God would begin to restore and rebuild marriages that are hurting and in need of hope.

Love God:
Read Ephesians 3:17-18 (LB) and allow God to remind you that He is our ultimate source of love and that we may trust, know and understand that love.

For personal study, here are some suggested YouVersion and RightNow Media devotionals:

• Married For A Purpose – Julie & Greg Gorman
• Building A Better Marriage by Earl & Oneka McClellan (RightNow Media)

Love People: There are many opportunities to Love People coming up – see the Church Center App for more information:

• Join a team that show’s love to others with practical care and assistance: Career Care Team, Meal Care Team or Home Maintenance Team – check out the details to sign up.
  
• Invite someone who to join you for church as we continue our new series Uncomplicated: Relationships with guests Sue & Ant Ryan answering our panel questions.