FIREPROOFING YOUR MARRIAGE

 Life Group Resource for NLCC—November 2, 2008

 

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

Ø  Have you ever known a person, your contemporary, who loved unconditionally?  What did that look like and how was it observed by those in the same circle of influence?

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

Ø  Reflect on the concept of unconditional love while you rehearse the words from Romans 5:6-8, 1 Peter 4:8, and John 13:34-35.  Worship Him for the love He demonstrates toward us!

Word: 3rd of the four W’s    “A Better Way of Loving”         John 13:34-35              (45 minutes)

 

THREE TYPES OF LOVE: In the New Testament, there are three words for love.

  1. Eros love is sensual love. Eros asks the question, “What can I get out of this?” Eros loves when someone gives back.
  2. Phileos is relational love. It’s a deeper kind of love. It asks the question, “What can we get out of this?” Phileos loves because we are going to get something out of this.
  3. Agape is unconditional love. It’s the deepest kind of love. It asks the question, “What can YOU get out of this?” Agape live despite the fact that it may get nothing back other than the opportunity to enrich the life of another by demonstrating love.

 

Steps To A Better Way Of Loving.

1. Better love thinks about others more than self—Philippians 2:3-4 & 1 Cor. 10:23-24.

2. Better love makes the first move—Gen. 3:9/Lk. 15:20/Mt. 15:32.

3. Better love takes risks—Lk. 5:12-15/Lk. 10:25-37/Lk. 15:11-32.

4. Better love goes the last 10%--Luke 5:17-21/Lk. 10:25-37/Lk. 15:11-32.

 

LOVE DARE CHALLENGE:

           COUPLES: Remember that better love thinks about others more than self? This week your Challenge is to love your mate in a way that is not self-seeking. For the next week, focus on this point and put your spouse first. Each time you make a decision that affects your mate, set aside your needs and make the choice that is best for your him or her. Pray for God to give you guidance and encouragement in this area. You might even want to find a good way to remind yourself of your challenge to not be self-seeking. You could wear a colorful wristband that will remind you during the day, or you could put a sticky note in an area where you will see it frequently. Will you take this love dare challenge?

           SINGLES:  Pick one or two people who are close to you and with whom you interact on a regular basis. Then, your challenge is the same—for this week, make every decision in a way that sets aside your needs and puts the other person’s needs first. Will you take this love dare challenge?

 

 Are you practicing a life-style that is intentional about recognizing 1) Romance,   2) Reality, 3) Resentment, and 4) Rebuilding, the four seasons of marriage? REMEMBER only those that practice the #3 Rules of Lifetime Lovers: 1) Remembering that men and women are different and adapting accordingly, 2) Asking and being both willingly and intentional to ask for and practice forgiveness, and 3)Deciding to love and keep on loving, will move beyond the season of resentment and embrace the season of rebuilding. Are you committed to a better way of loving? What intentional steps are you going to take this week? Have you started to use the Love Dare Book?

 

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