FIREPROOFING YOUR MARRIAGE

 Life Group Resource for NLCC—October 19, 2008

 

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

Ø  The topic of learning to deal with temptation can be somewhat uncomfortable in a group setting like this. Relax, all of here wrestle with temptation.  If you are comfortable, share your view on what a temptation is, then identify the predominant temptations faced by a world with multiple generations (1st time in earth’s history since, Eden, that six generations have lived on the planet).

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

Ø  Sing one of your favorite songs that sing of God’s grace.  Ask one or two people to share one of their favorite scriptures that speak to their heart about overcoming temptation.

Word: 3rd of the four W’s    “How To Break Free Of Temptation”           (45 minutes)

1 Corinthians 10:13; 1 Peter 5:8-9; Matthew 5:27-30; 1 Corinthians 6:18-20; James 4:7

 

REVIEW: Last week we identified the four seasons that ALL MARRIAGES GO THROUGH:         1) Romance, 2) Reality, 3) Resentment, and 4) Rebuilding. It is important to remember that to move from one season to the next, those involved in relationships/friendship must be intention about practicing the #3 Rules of Lifetime Lovers.

  1. Remembering that we’re different and adapting accordingly.
  2. Asking and being both willingly and intentional about asking and practicing forgiveness.
  3. Deciding to love and keep on loving.

WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THE WILDERNESS EXPIERENCE? (Luke 4:1-13)

THREE FACTS ABOUT TEMPTATION:

            1. EVERY TEMPTATION YOU FACE HAS BEEN FACED BY OTHERS.

Ø  We are not alone in our struggles.

2. YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN TEMPTED BY SOMETHING YOU DID NOT HAVE THE  

    POWER TO RESIST.         

Ø  It may seem like it at the time, but that’s just a lie from the Evil One,

trying to lower your resolve and your resistance.

            3. GOD PROVIDES A WAY OUT OF EVERY TEMPTATION.

Ø   Your job is to look for that way out and take it the minute you find it.

HOW TO BREAK FREE & STAY FREE

1.      PRAY THAT THE LORD WILL KEEP YOU FROM TEMPTATION (Matthew 5:13)

2.      MAKE A CONVENANT WITH YOURSELF (Job 31:1)

3.      LOOK FOR A WAY OUT (1 Corinthians 10:13)

4.      DIVERT YOUR THOUGHTS (2 CORINTHIANS 10:5 & PHILIPPIANS 4:8)

5.      REMOVE YOURSELF (2 Timothy 2:22)

6.      EVALUATE WHEN YOU FALL DOWN (Romans 7 & 1 John 1:10)

7.      ASK FORGIVENESS, RESOLVE TO DO BETTER, AND START AGAIN (1 John 1:9)

 

LOVE DARE CHALLENGE: IS THERE A PARASITE FROM WHICH YOU NEED TO BREAK FREE? Identify this in your life. Confess it as a stronghold and temptation with which you struggle, and ask Jesus to set you free

–        ON YOUR MESSAGE NOTES, CIRCLE WHICHEVER STEPS YOU WANT TO BEGIN PRACTICING THIS WEEK.

–        PRAY THAT GOD GIVE YOU THE STRENGTH TO SHARE THIS WITH YOUR SPOUSE, FRIEND OR MENTOR SO YOU CAN BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

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