Make your influence count for what matters. / Matthew 5:1-12
INSTRUCTIONS
SUMMARY
INSTRUCTIONS
He’s neither a ‘hopeless romantic’ nor embarrassed by romance. Love, marriage, and sex are part of His design to produce image-bearers who reflect His glory and care for each other. This unit will survey the story of romance in God’s plan, its intention for good, its limitations due to sin, and its ultimate culmination in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Join us at 7:00am in the Parlor at Colonial Baptist Church. (Come little early for coffee and a light breakfast.)
Do you have a health risk related to COVID-19? You can participate via Zoom using THIS LINK.
Immediately following the large group, we break into discussion / prayer groups. If you are not yet in a group, contact Scott Wylie.
The story of romance begins with the very first song in the Bible. Read Genesis 2:23-25. How would you describe God’s ideal for marriage in this passage?
When mankind fell into sin, it broke our relationships, including marriages. The woman will tend to desire her husband in idolatrous ways, and the man will tend to rule over his wife in prideful ways. Read Genesis 3:16. How do we see this play out in marriages today?
We look for connection and significance. Many of us turn to romance and love to try and satisfy these needs. But because of our selfishness, we miss out on the story God is telling. God is telling a story of grace in our romantic relationships, but it’s not ultimately about us. What do you think romance can look like when it’s about God and not us?
God hates divorce, because it tears apart what He has put together. Read Mark 10:2-9. Why do you think Jesus refers back not to the Law but to creation?
What was the main purpose of marriage? It wasn’t that married people would always be happy. Instead, God determined that loving a sinner was glorifying to Him. How can we find joy even when those we love fail us?
Marriage vows exist for the bad times. We need to promise to stick together in “worse… poverty… sickness.” Why do difficult circumstances often lead us to stop loving and serving each other?
The story of Christ and His Bride is messy and difficult. Hosea’s story is a picture of Christ’s love for the Church. Read Hosea 3:1-5. How would you feel if you were Hosea in this situation?
Jesus doesn’t just tolerate us; He lavishes His love on us. Read Ephesians 5:22-33. How does the Gospel empower married people to love and serve each other?
No one starts out married, and not all are called to marriage. Still, the members of the church are called to exhort and encourage one another. How can healthy marriages strengthen the entire local church?
When Christ returns, we won’t need marriage anymore. Read Matthew 22:30 and Revelation 21:9-10. How will Jesus’s return fulfill everything that earthly marriages foreshadow?
God made the world to be enjoyed. There are times to work and be solemn, but there are also times to rest and have fun. This unit will lead us to consider how rest and fun can glorify God, and what role the Sabbath plays in the Christian’s life.
Join us at 7:00am in the Parlor at Colonial Baptist Church. (Come little early for coffee and a light breakfast.)
Do you have a health risk related to COVID-19? You can participate via Zoom using THIS LINK.
Immediately following the large group, we break into discussion / prayer groups. If you are not yet in a group, contact Scott Wylie.
Many take pride in working non-stop. Studies estimate that 70% of American workers do not take all their allotted days off. What are some reasons that people don’t stop to rest?
God Himself is not above rest. Read Genesis 2:1-3. If God never runs out of strength, what purpose does His rest have?
God is so interested in rest that He commands it. Read Leviticus 25:4 and Deuteronomy 24:5. What are the principles that underlie these commands? Why does God command these very specific kinds of rest?
Sabbath is made for our good. Read Mark 2:23-28. What kind of attitude should we have about God’s command to rest?
Not all activity is ‘work.’ The command to rest in the New Covenant is about more than just one day a week, and it does not mean we can do nothing but sit in silence. What are some ways to build a rhythm of rest into your days, weeks, months, and years?
Play is not strictly practical, but it is still necessary. Read 1 Timothy 4:1-5. How does enjoying God’s creation give Him glory? How does rejecting it displease Him?
God has made us to wonder and enjoy. If you are never doing nothing, then you are wasting your time. What are some practical ways you can make your fun glorifying to the Lord?
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