Week 5 Questions

Reawakening Your Marriage #5

Small Group Questions

1. What do you think of the following statement: THE BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES OF RIGHT RELATIONSHIPS, SPECIFICALLY IN MARRIAGE, CANNOT BE FULLY COMPREHENDED NOR FULFILLED BY ANYONE WHO DOES NOT KNOW JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND SAVIOR AND IS NOT OPERATING UNDER THE CONTROL OF HIS SPIRIT? Is it valid?

2. Last session you were asked to Read Ephesians 6:10-18 and answer the following:

- Why do you think that Paul follows his section on relationships with a focus on spiritual warfare?

- Who is the real enemy of godly submission?

*** [If you didn’t get a chance to cover this question last time do so now. If you did, briefly review your conclusions.]

3. Read Genesis 3:1-19. Compare 3:16 & 4:7. In light of the previous discussion, why do you think there is such a struggle with the concept of submission in marriage.

4. With privilege comes responsibility. In Ephesians 5:23 God says that the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church. Offer some descriptive words to describe the biblical idea of “headship” as you understand it.

- How did/does Jesus exhibit leadership over His bride, the church?

- What are some clear and practical ways that a husband can fulfill his responsibility of headship as he seeks to imitate Christ?

5. Ladies, what do you think your husband’s primary needs are in your marriage relationship? Men, what would you say?

6. Take a brief group survey. Somewhere on a piece of paper, jot down the letter “a” or “b” in response to the following question: If you were forced to choose one of the following, which would you prefer to endure?

a) To be left alone and unloved in the world

b) to feel inadequate and disrespected by everyone

Obviously, most would choose neither! Ask people to share their responses and note the way the majority of men and women answer.

7. Read Ephesians 5:33 and 1 Peter 3:2. How important would you say respect for the husband is to your marriage?

- How has society/culture diminished the idea and the importance of showing respect toward the husband?

- What are some key ways in which a wife can reverse this trend in the world, the church and the home?

- How important is it for a wife to respect her husband in front of her parents?

8. How should you react when you witness an act or are part of a conversation in which someone’s husband is disrespected. Read Titus 2:3-5. What is the example and model Paul is encouraging here for both older and younger women?

9. What do you think of the statement: The more respect a husband is shown, the more love he’ll tend to give in return? Have you as a wife made an attempt to test this axiom?

10. Read Proverbs 25:11. We all need to be appreciated and encouraged, admired and respected. Men, have you done anything lately that would cause your wife to thank you? Ladies, have you thanked him? Men, how much appreciation are you showing to your wife?

11. Author Pat Morley wrote, “You and your mate are the only two people who are really in this thing together. All others will phase in and out of your life, even children... hopefully... Every precious moment a couple shares together is like another inch of growth to the root system of their marriage. The deep roots of an old oak tree make it hard to knock down.” The book of Ecclesiastes brings this truth further home. Read Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. Who is the third strand in the cord of your marriage?

Week 4 Notes

Note: Missed this week's message? Click here to listen...you will need to create an account on the FBC website if you don't already have one in order to listen!

Reawakening Your Marriage #4 & 5

Small Group Questions

1. READ Eph. 5:22-25; Col. 3:18-19; Titus 2:1-10; 1 Pet. 3:1-6. Do you think that Christians tend to be selective in their application of scriptural principles? How so?

2. What do you think of when you hear the word submission? How would you define it? We are a visually oriented culture. Give a word picture which would describe the concept of submission as you see it. What imagery comes to mind?

3. Someone has defined submission this way: “Yielding to people, principles, and powers which God has placed in our lives as authoritative.” Do you believe this accurately describes what the Bible means by submission? Read James 4:7; 1 Peter 2:13, 18; Hebrews 13:17.

- Who are we called to submit to according to these verses?

- How has the media affected the way we view these scriptures [i.e. sitcoms, movies, music videos, etc?

- Can you give any examples of how it has affected you personally either pre-salvation or even now?

4. Ephesians 5:22-24 apply specifically to the wife’s responsibilities in marriage. Read & note the exhortations that precede this section in Ephesians 5:15-21.

- How do you think these things affect & influence what is said in Ephesians 5:22-24?

5. How do you react to the statement: We cannot be like Christ, in any way, shape or form, if we reject the idea of submitting ourselves to others. Our imitation of Christ stands or falls on it. Is it true? Take a moment to read Isa. 53:3-12 and John 13:1-17.

- Would you say that Jesus was a doormat or a servant?

- Is there a difference?

- The wedding vow states, “...for better or for worse.” In light of the previous question, what does this vow mean to you?

6. Peter speaks to wives in 1 Peter 3:1-6. Please notice the previous statements Peter makes in 2:18-25. The phrase “In the same way you wives...” in 3:1 is important. How do you think all this relates to a wife fulfilling her responsibilities in the marriage relationship?

- What do you think enabled Jesus to handle the various circumstances in His life? [Hint see v.23b]

- What are some practical applications of this for a wife as she relates to her husband? What if her husband is an unbeliever?

7. How far should submission go? God clearly teaches that as Christians we are to be subject to the authorities He has placed in our lives (i.e. parents, government, etc.), yet in Acts 4:5-19 and 5:26-29 the apostles refused to obey the authorities. What principle did they base their actions on and what implication does it have for wives?

- Can you give a few examples of when you think a wife would be justified in refusing to submit to her husband?

8. On positive note, Esther is a wonderful example of how a woman’s humble and God-entrusting attitude can influence a husband’s decisions, even when the husband is an unbeliever.

- What are some of the important elements of Esther’s exemplary attitude of submission?

- Do you believe that the power of your commitment and character as a godly wife can change your husband’s life?

9. According to 1 Peter 3:2-4 what are the traits that are most important and precious to God as it relates to a wife’s adornment? Are they physical, spiritual or both?

10. If time permits read Ephesians 6:10-18.

- Why do you think that Paul follows his section on relationships with a focus on spiritual warfare?

- Who is the real enemy of godly submission?

Week 3 notes

Note: want to listen to the message again? Head to www.fayettebaptistchurch.org to hear it! Be sure to sign in or create an account at the bottom of the page, then click on the "sermons" link on the left under Resources.

Reawakening Your Marriage #3

Small Group Questions

1. Read 1 Peter 3:7 in 3 different translations out loud. What do you think Peter means when he exhorts husbands to live with their wives in an “understanding” way?

- How well do you think husbands understand their wives?

- In what areas do both men and women need to improve in order to accomplish this?

- Men, how can you put more effort into this? Give some practical examples.

2. Author Tim Elmore says that true spiritual leaders are initiators. They are hosts, not guests, in their relationships.

- Husbands, would you say that most of the time you are a host or a guest in your relationship with your wife?

- What would your wife say?

- What does being a “host” look like in practical terms?

- What are some scritpures that advocate husbands being “hosts” in the relationship?

3. If you were to summarize what you think a wife’s most fundamental needs are from their husbands, what 3 words would you use?

- Men

- Ladies

4. Men, when you hear the word “intimacy” what is your first thought? Ladies? One survey revealed that the average husband and wife had thirty-seven minutes a week together in actual communication!

- How much face to face and heart to heart time are you investing in your relationship?

- What can you do this week to improve that statistic?

5. Authors Dan Allender & Tremper Longman in their book Intimate Allies write: “Every marriage moves either toward enhancing one another’s glory or toward degrading each other ... The goal of marriage is twofold: to reveal the glory of God and to enhance the glory of one’s spouse.” Do you agree with this assessment?

- How can a husband draw out his wife’s individual uniqueness and to inspire her to live out God’s glory in ways that no one else can or should do?

- What can happen when a husband fails to do this?

6. Review 1 Peter 3:7 in different translations again. Note the terminology.

- What is your initial reaction to Peter’s description of a woman as a “weaker vessel?”

- Do you think that this statement is relevant to contemporary society?

- What kind of attitude and actions do you think Peter’s statement should evoke within a marriage relationship?

7. Gentlemen, your wife is priceless in God’s eyes. She is worth the life of His Son. She is a precious heir of the grace of God. What is she to you?

- Take a few moments right now and honor your wife by writing a simple note of sincere appreciation to her. Give it to her. If she is willing to let you read it aloud, take the opportunity to publicly declare your love to her.

8. Read Colossians 3:19 and 4:2 alongside of 1 Peter 3:7. How is the way you love and live with your wife affecting your prayer life? Do you have a prayer life? Make it a point to pray together with and for your spouse this week.