FIREPROOFING YOUR MARRIAGE

 Life Group Resource for NLCC—October 5, 2008

Welcome: 1^st of the four W’s                                                                                     (10 minutes)

Ø  Rehearse those things about your spouse/others that you love.  What about them makes you laugh, cry, wonder and feel better knowing that they are central part of your life?

Worship: 2^nd of the four W’s                                                                                       (20 minutes)

Ø  Sing your favorite songs of praise & thanksgiving that declare God’s love for you.

Word: 3^rd of the four W’s        Rom 5:5; Phil 2:1-4; Jn 3:16, 4:18; 1 Jn 4:7-19           (45 minutes)

Ø  Do you know God’s love?   How do you reflect that love toward your spouse/others?

Ø  Read Romans 5:5 and 1 John 4:19.  What do these verses teach about how and why we are able to love ourselves and others?

Ø  Read Philippians 2:1-4 and notice the conditional clauses that begin with the words “if” and “then.”  What conditions start with the word if? What does this passage say we need to have in order to love others? What do we receive when we’re united with Christ? What do we need from the Holy Spirit?

Ø  How frequently do you study God’s word about love and marriage and use that wisdom to guide you in your relationships?

Very Infrequently           Neutral             Frequently        Very Infrequently            Frequently

Ø  When you struggle to love your spouse, how likely are you to pray for God encouragement, strength and guidance?

Very Infrequently           Neutral             Frequently        Very Infrequently            Frequently

Ø  How likely are you to ask God to help you vie and love our spouse in the same way He does?

Very Infrequently           Neutral             Frequently        Very Infrequently            Frequently

Ø  How frequently do you pray for your spouse?

Very Infrequently           Neutral             Frequently        Very Infrequently            Frequently

Ø  FIRE PROOF CHALLENGE: #1 If you have never asked Jesus Christ to come into your heart, do so now.  Without him you do not have what it takes to love another the way they desire to be loved.  Simply pray, Jesus, I acknowledge you as my Savior, Lord and King.  Forgive me of my sins, come into my heart and make me new and born-again. #2 If you already have a committed relationship with Jesus, then you have the Holy Spirit living inside of you.  Look at your answers above, select the lowest-ranked question and focus on improvements you can make in this area.  Pray for your spouse and the areas in which you both need to improve.

Witness: 4^th of the four W’s                                                                                         (15 Minutes)

• To know that you are loved, unconditionally can be somewhat overwhelming.  Take some time to offer praise and thanksgiving for God’s love for you, your spouse, others and for bringing all of them together to create your sphere of influence.
• Pray for the families throughout America that are struggling to find their way home to peace.