Author Archives: openarmsmike
Lessons from Marriage, Part 4: True North – Knowing Your Values and Living Toward Them
June 16, 2019 Mike Meyers HomeFront
Discussion Questions
- Ask for God’s direction and keep it simple.
- Think about God’s purpose for your marriage.
- Brainstorm some core values you share as a couple (faith, prayer, hospitality, peace, service…), then select 3-5 that you both agree stand out and attach scripture passages to each.
- Optional: Develop a short phrase for each. For example, “Hospitality – Our home will be joyfully open to those the Lord brings our way.”
Lessons from Marriage, Part 3: Keeping Short Accounts – Confession and Forgiveness
June 2, 2019 Mike Meyers
Discussion Questions
- Where have you struggled most in your marriage; confession or forgiveness?
- Which of these principles do you find most difficult to execute on?
- Can you share a time when confession and forgiveness brought healing to your marriage? Or when it has gone wrong?
- Would you include any additional principles? If so, what would you add?
Lessons from Marriage, Part 2: Consider Your Ways: Christ-Centered Introspection in Marriage
Discussion Questions
- Are you in the habit of evaluating yourself, or do you just let the days and years roll on by without much thought? If not, why not?
- Which person do you tend towards; the wise who welcomes evaluation, or the fool who runs from it, blame shifts, or makes excuses?
- Have you asked your spouse, or a close friend, for input? How did that go?
- How might you provide feedback more effectively or gently?
The Heart of Neighboring
- What was one thing about this message that you found particularly compelling, encouraging, challenging, or beneficial?
- In what ways is the moral fabric of our nation becoming unraveled? How ought the church live in the midst of such divisive days?
- Read and discuss Luke 6:40, Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 12:30-31. What do these show us about Jesus’ mission and vision for His church?
- Read through and consider the parable of the good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37. How does the gospel compel us to love others with the love of Christ?
- How does Jesus turn the word “neighbor” from a noun into a verb? What are the implications of this?
- What is the difference between “do no harm neighboring” and “active/present neighboring”? What do the Scriptures call us to?
- How would you describe the depth of love you have for your neighbors?
- Why do you think God has put you in the lives of the people around you? What obstacles keep you from neigbhoring well?
- What is one practical way you can grow in your love for others? In what ways do you need to “go and do likewise” (Luke 10:37)?
- Spend time in prayer for things you’ve discussed. Give thanks to God that in Jesus, He was neighbor to us. Pray that He would give you strength, passion and a plan to obey in the direction of His command to love our neighbors.
If we truly know Jesus, we will not allow time, fear of awkwardness, a judgmental spirit, or other obstacles to hinder us from loving our neighbors as ourselves. To follow up on The Heart of Neighboring message, here are some resources and starting points for you to consider as you apply Jesus’ call to “be neighbor” to those around us (Luke 10:36-37).
EQUIPPING THE SAINTS COURSE: The Art of Neighboring
This course looks at “His Kingdom come” in your neighborhood – practical ways to be salt and light close to home. This 4-session class will include a biblical basis for neighborhood ministry and will cover the means, methods, and resources available. We’ll discuss topics like meeting felt needs in Jesus’ name, the impact of everyday kindness, youth coaching and other community involvement, and the power of hospitality, among others. You’ll hear from other RBC brothers and sisters and learn from their victories as well as their failures. Our next session will be held March 8-29, 2020 on Sundays at 10:45 a.m. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
BOOKS & ONLINE RESOURCES
- The Gospel Comes with a House Key: Practicing Radically Ordinary Hospitality in Our Post-Christian World (Amazon)
- The Simplest Way to Change the World: Biblical Hospitality as a Way of Life (Amazon)
- The Art of Neighboring: Building Genuine Relationships Right Outside Your Door (Amazon)
- TheNeighboringLife.com Resources (Website)
Lessons from Marriage, Part 1: Adjust Your Aim – Marriage and the Glory of God (audio)
Discussion Questions
- What does it mean to “glorify” or “magnify” God?
- In what ways can we do the “right” things, but fail to glorify God?
- How can this principle protect and nourish your marriage or your parenting?
- Can you share practical examples of glorifying God in marriage or parenting?
- What things do you need to repent of, that have become roadblocks to glorifying God in your family?
Body, Soul, and Spirit: Intimacy in Marriage, Part 4 (audio)
Intimacy is far more than simply the physical or the sensual. Intimacy in marriage is a beautiful and intricate dance between body, soul, and spirit.
Discussion Questions
- Remember – What kinds of things did you “do at first” that you have let die?
- Repent – What attitudes or excuses have you let stop you from investing in your marital intimacy?
- Return/Repair – Do you have any ideas for things you can do “as you did at first”?
- Rejoice – What is/are the top 1 or 2 things about your spouse that you love and value the most? What is your favorite thing about being married to your spouse?
Body, Soul, & Spirit: Intimacy in Marriage, Part 3 (audio)
Intimacy is far more than simply the physical or the sensual. Intimacy in marriage is a beautiful and intricate dance between body, soul, and spirit.
Notes & Discussion Questions
Roadblock removal & Bridge Repair
- Bridge Repair in the Spirit
- Prayer & Confession (James 5:6, Matt 18:19-20)
- Abiding in the Word (John 15:4 & 7)
- Abiding in the Body (Hebrews 10:25, 1 John 1:3)
- ?
Bridge Repair in the Soul
- Know yourself (Lamentations 3:40, Romans 12:3)
- Know your spouse (1 Corinthians 12:21)
- Find ways to “do” life together
- Take care of your emotional health (Proverbs 14:30, 17:22)
- ?
Bridge Repair in the Body
- Take care of the “temple” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17, 3 John 1:2)
- Men: Woo & pursue (Song of songs 5:2)
- Ladies: Desire & entice (Song of songs 3:4)
- ?
- What bridges have you found to be either washed out or damaged? How has that shown up in your relationship?
- What heart/attitude adjustments do you need to make?
- What steps can you be taking together to rebuild those bridges?
- How can we be praying for one another in our marriage?
Body, Soul, & Spirit: Intimacy in Marriage, Part 2 (audio)
Intimacy is far more than simply the physical or the sensual. Intimacy in marriage is a beautiful and intricate dance between body, soul, and spirit.
Week 2 – Roadblocks to Intimacy
Discussion Questions
- Do you agree with what Mike said about the importance of the sexual aspect of the marriage relationship? Why or why not?
- Which roadblocks have you, or are you, experiencing in your marriage?
What obstacles are keeping you from experiencing greater intimacy in your marriage; body, soul, and spirit?
- Roadblocks in the Spirit
- Unbiblical view of intimacy in marriage
- Broken fellowship
- Lack of vitality in your Christian walk
- Isolation from Christian community
- Roadblocks in the Soul
- Unbiblical view of ourselves
- Broken relationship
- Lack of vitality in the friendship
- Boredom in the Bedroom
- Roadblocks in the Body
- Poor physical health/fitness
- Low energy
- Stress
- Disparate Drive
