Beloved Series: Strengthening Marriages Through Challenges

A Deeper Unity Beloved Series : Session 2

OPENING PRAYER POP CORN PRAYER Everyone is welcomed to say a spontaneous prayer

Recap Session 1: Christ at the Center We talked about the importance of putting Christ at the center of our lives and at the center of our marriages. We discussed the fact that only God can satisfy our every need and that expecting too much of our spouse can cause harm to that relationship. We talked about the importance of selflessness and sacrifice in marriage.

Video - 18 mins Beloved Series : Session 2 In this session, we re going to take those principles to the next level, using God s relationship with the Israelites in Egypt as our model. We re going to look at the role challenges and difficulties play in stretching, maturing, and perfecting our marriage as God intends.

Beloved Series : Session 2 We re going to look at the role challenges and difficulties play in stretching, maturing, and perfecting our marriage as God intends. PLEASE SHARE 1 AREA THAT TOUCHED YOU

Outline of Video Israel s relationship with God is a model for marriage A. At first, God romanced Israel in Egypt. B. Israel had to cross the wilderness. 1. Some people trusted God to guide them through the wilderness. 2. Some people wanted to go back and start over. C. Eventually God led Israel to the Promised Land

Outline of Video Love is like a fine wine A. The first rush of love is like grape juice, exciting and thrilling. B. Mature love ferments into something like wine. 1. The fermentation process involves trials and ordeals. 2. The fermentation process requires endurance. 3. The result is like a fine wine complex, subtle, superior to grape juice.

Outline of Video Married couples have an adventure that they are called to share in Christ A. That adventure flows into our love for our children, our friends, our church, and our world. B. When you have a big-picture vision of your adventure, you can see where the little things fit in.

GROUP SHARING 1. What connection do you see between God s relationship with the Israelites and your relationship with your spouse? 2. Describe the difference between a grape juice love and a fine wine love. 3. If marriage is an adventure that couples are called to share in Christ, what s the best way to approach that adventure? 4. Agree or disagree: If you don t regularly experience conflict or challenge in your marriage, your relationship is not maturing at a healthy rate.

COUPLE DISCUSSION 1. How do you and your spouse complement one another or balance each other out? 2. How does it change your outlook on your marriage to know that struggles and wilderness experiences are part of God s plan? 3. What are two challenges or situations that God has used to deepen your marriage? How has your marriage stretched, grown, or matured as a result? How did your past challenges or situations prepare you for future challenges?

Couple Activity Regardless of how long you ve been married, you ve probably become somewhat of an expert on your spouse s likes, dislikes, favorite foods, proudest moments, and biggest pet peeves. It s time to take inventory of what you know and put it to good use. Job #1 - To create a bio sheet for your spouse. There need be no rhyme or reason to the information. You can simply list things you ve learned about your spouse as they occur to you.

Couple Activity Job #2 - Using the information you ve gathered over the course of your marriage, devise some effective and unexpected ways to demonstrate your love. Here are a few other ideas, to get you thinking: Have your spouse s favorite lunch delivered to the office. Make a playlist of songs that have special meaning for your spouse. Put together a small photo album of pictures from various points in your relationship, each one with a caption that explains what you love about your spouse in that picture.

CLOSING PRAYER Praying Husbands Lord, where my wife and I are in disagreement and this has caused strife, I pray You will draw us together on the issues. Adjust our perspectives to align with Yours. Make our communication open and honest so that we avoid misunderstandings. May we have the Grace to be tolerant of each other's faults and, at the same time, have the willingness to change. I pray that we will not live two seperate lives, but will instead walk together as a team. Remind us to take time for one another so that our marriage will be a source of happiness, peace and joy for us both. Amen

CLOSING PRAYER Praying Wife Lord, I pray You will protect our marriage from anything that would harm or destroy it. Shield it from our own selfhishness and neglect, from the evil plans and desires of others, and from unhealthy or dangerous situations. May there be no thoughts of divorce or infidelity in our hearts, and none in our future. Set us free from past hurts, memories, and ties from previous relationships, and unrealistic expectations of one another. I pray that there be no jealousy in either of us, or the low self-esteem that precedes that. Protect us from influences like alcohol, drugs, gambling, pornography, lust, or obsessions. Let nothing come into our hearts and habit that would threaten our marriage in any way. Amen