GET REAL: “REAL” ationships (Week 1)
Preacher: Daniel Erasmus
Worship:
Good Plans (Red Rocks Worship)
Check-in:
As part of your check-in: Share one characteristic that’s important to you in a relationship and one you don’t appreciate. This can be in the context of marriage, dating, a close friendship or even your family.
Synopsis of message (For Reflection in Preparation):
How you view marriage shapes how you approach relationships. Christian marriage is not just a contract, but a very holy covenant before God.
While a contract is based on mutual distrust, a covenant is based on mutual commitment before a Holy God. It’s holy; it’s a righteous, covenantal commitment before God. Hebrews 13:4 says that marriage should be honoured by all – this includes both married and unmarried individuals.
Special Note: We know that there were aspects of Daniel’s message that were direct and may have triggered varying degrees of discomfort. While it might be that the Holy Spirit is convicting us of something, it would be really important that we recognise that not one of us meets God’s standard. Let’s remember that shame is not from God. God’s response to us is one of grace and what he desires for us. As you work through these questions, we encourage you to answer them honestly for yourself, and to share at a level of comfort you’re accustomed to in your group. Please also consider how you respond to what others share, so that our responses to one another are non-judgmental, that we steer clear of advice-giving and that our group remains a place of safety for all.
Discussion questions:
While members are encouraged to work through each question independently, assess these questions and discuss only the ones relevant to your Life Group’s context.
- What part of Sunday’s message, “Real-ationships” spoke to you the most and why?
- How do you view relationships and marriage? Consider how your family of origin, culture, our society, and God’s word have shaped this view.
- How would you describe your approach to relationships? Do you lean more toward mutual trust or mutual distrust?
- A covenant relationship leans towards mutual trust, but what other benefits are found in living in a covenant relationship where God’s standards are incredibly high?
- What’s one practical step you can take to protect yourself from sexual immorality? Ephesians 5:3
- In what ways can you be more intentional in honouring God in your relationships? (married, dating, single)?
Additional resources:
- One: A Marriage Devotional – YouVersion (Suggestion: Try doing this devotional with your spouse to help grow your relationship.
- Modern Romance: Advice on Dating, Singleness and Relationships – YouVersion
- Preparing for Vows – YouVersion (For engaged couples)
The Marriage Course – Starts the 30th September, in-person at the church building. Sign-up here.
