(5 mins) To start off your small group, briefly share your response to the following question:

Transcription

1 6. Never Give Up

2 Start With An Icebreaker Question (5 mins) To start off your small group, briefly share your response to the following question: What does the dream date night look like to you? Share with your group. Please Read What To Expect (2 mins) Let s get a big picture of what we ll be learning today Relationships require commitment, and commitment means enduring whatever challenges and obstacles comes your way. In today s day and age, when the going gets tough, most people choose to take the easy way out. In Session SIX, we will discuss why it s worth it to never give up on relationships that matter most! At this time, please prepare for the DVD teaching of this small group session. Take out a pen or pencil to write down notes on the next page. Press PLAY on your DVD. 50

3 Marriage is a covenant not a contract. VIDEO Notes In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. (Luke 22:20) i. Covenant is based on mutual ii. Contract is based on mutual. iii. Covenant rights and assumes responsibility iv. Contract rights and shirks responsibility v. Covenant has the in mind vi. Contract has in mind. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful to the wife of your youth. The man who hates and divorces his wife, says the LORD, the God of Israel, does violence to the one he should protect, says the LORD Almighty. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful. (Malachi 2:16) 1. We will to love. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (Colossians 3:14) 2. We will our relationship. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33) Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:7-9) 3. We will God. Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. (Psalm 127:1) Answers: i.) commitment ii.) distrust iii.) surrenders iv.) protects v.) interest of the other vi.) personal convenience 1.) make the choice 2.) prioritize 3.) trust 51

4 DISCUSSION Questions (20 mins) At this time, please break into smaller groups of 2-4 for the discussion question section. Have a great discussion! Tip of the week: Avoid talking or teaching too much. Small groups are designed for everyone to share and grow together. 1.) Pastor Chris shared the difference between a covenant and a contract when teaching us about marriage. Read these differences below: Covenant is based on mutual commitment surrenders rights and assumes responsibility has the interest of the other in mind Contract is based on mutual distrust protects rights and shirks responsibility has personal convenience in mind Share with your group what the most interesting difference is to you and why. 2.) In the video teaching, we learned three principles to keep us from giving up in our most important relationships. Read these principles below: 1. We will make the choice to love (Col.3:14) 2. We will prioritize our relationship (Matt.6:33; Gal.6:7-9) 3. We will trust God (Psalm 127:1) In your closest relationships, which principle above is hardest to act upon? Share with your group. 3.) Prioritizing our relationships is key to never giving up. Read the scripture below: Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:7-9) While believers have received God s special blessings and promises, God does not change the positive and negative of the natural law that people will reap what they sow. From farming, to finances, to relationships, this saying holds true. Believers must decide what crop they want and plant accordingly, for what they get back will be directly related to what they put in. Beside your relationship with God, what relationship(s) in your life is the most important to you? What is ONE practical way that you can prioritize this relationship in your life? (i.e. Regularly schedule time to spend with this person, Do things that fills the other person s tank, etc.) 52

5 WHAT WILL You Do? (5 mins) As we learned in our teaching, one important principle to remember when persevering through difficult relational times is to trust God. God has never given up on us, and we should never give up on and fight for the ones we love. Have you given up on choosing to love someone in your life? Share with your group how you will choose to show love to that person this week. As this series comes to a close, plan something fun to do as a small group to celebrate! (i.e. BBQ, family beach day, bowling, movie night, etc.) CLOSE IN Prayer (3 mins) Take a few minutes to close your time together with prayer and to pray for each other s prayer requests. Below is a sample prayer to read if you choose to. You can also choose to write down each other s prayer requests to remember throughout the week. Sample Prayer: God, thank You for Your love, Your mercy, and Your grace. Thank You for never giving up on us. We are so thankful that we can have a relationship with You because of Your son, Jesus Christ. Lord, when we experience rough patches in our relationships with others and feel like giving up, remind us of how You graciously never give up on us so that we can do the same. Make us more like You Lord. In Jesus name, Amen. Group Prayer Requests: Name Request 53

6 DAILY DEVOTIONS: DAY 1 S C R I P T U R E Read These Scriptures: Colossians 3:14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. O B S E R V A T I O N A P P L I C A T I O N P R A Y E R DAILY DEVOTIONS: DAY 2 S C R I P T U R E Read These Scriptures: Malachi 2:16 So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful to the wife of your youth. The man who hates and divorces his wife, says the Lord, the God of Israel, does violence to the one he should protect, says the Lord Almighty. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful. O B S E R V A T I O N A P P L I C A T I O N P R A Y E R 54

7 DAILY DEVOTIONS: DAY 3 S C R I P T U R E Read These Scriptures: Galatians 6:7-9 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. O B S E R V A T I O N A P P L I C A T I O N P R A Y E R DAILY DEVOTIONS: DAY 4 S C R I P T U R E Read These Scriptures: Psalm 127:1 Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. O B S E R V A T I O N A P P L I C A T I O N P R A Y E R 55

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