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?