Author Archives: openarmsmike
Survivor, Part 4 – Lessons Learned on the Island
July 17, 2020 Mike Meyers HomeFront
Listen (MP3) –
Discussion Questions
- Which of these lessons have you experienced in this tribulation?
- God’s kindness is evident even in trials
- There is beauty in simplicity
- I can live with less stuff
- Community is worth fighting for
- The lost and vulnerable are all around us
- What other lessons have you taken from this pandemic experience?
Survivor, Part 3 – Fighting for Perspective
July 9, 2020 Mike Meyers HomeFront
Listen (Audio MP3) –
Discussion Questions
- Can you share how a time of tribulation has impacted your marriage?
- Which of these perspectives on tribulation is most challenging for you? Tribulation…
- Cannot separate us from God’s love
- Is worked out in community
- Is not to be feared
- Should be rejoiced over (spiritual formation, advancement of the gospel)
- Prepares us for service
- Can be a sign of spiritual warfare
- Can be God’s correction of sin
- Is a powerful testimony when responded to through a godly perspective
- How would you counsel another couple that is seeking perspective in the midst of a trial?
Survivor, Part 2 – Fighting for Unity
June 26, 2020 Mike Meyers HomeFront
Audio (mp3)
Discussion Questions
- How would you define unity in marriage as opposed to uniformity?
- How can you prevent one spouse “disappearing” in the marriage relationship?
- Which of Peter’s points to you find most challenging; sympathy, brotherly love, tenderness, or humility? Why?
New 4-Part Marriage Series – “Survivor” – Part 1: Fighting for Peace
June 19, 2020 Mike Meyers HomeFront
Listen (Audio Only):
Discussion Questions
- How can you cultivate an atmosphere of love in our home? Be specific.
- What can you do to strengthen yourself in the joy of the Lord in the midst of storms, and fight off the panic?
- How have you seen God’s faithfulness in the midst of our current trials or a trial you have been through previously?
Annual Maintenance Check: Part 14 – Affair Proofing
April 26, 2020 Mike Meyers HomeFront
Listen (Audio Only)
Discussion Questions
- Which of these points had the most impact in your mind: the soil of an affair, the three phases, or the affair proofing steps?
- How have you seen this play out in your experience (personally or observed)?
- Have you discussed boundary setting? If so, what boundaries have you created that might be helpful to others?
- Has this talk helped you identify any vulnerabilities in your defenses? Explain.
Annual Maintenance Check: Part 13 – Cleared for Takeoff – Intimacy in Marriage
April 19, 2020 Mike Meyers HomeFront
Listen (Audio only)
Discussion Questions
- Wife/husband do you understand the three points Mike & Patricia shared that wives/husbands need to know? (Points listed below) What question do you have about these for your husband/wife that might help you understand?
- Which of these ideas is most difficult for you to embrace?
- What has been your experience with these truths in your marriage?
Three Things Husband/Wives Need to Know and Embrace
For the husbands
- Be a companion not a hookup.
- Cherish without ulterior motives.
- Use your words.
For the wives
- Value sex as a vital component, not an accessory.
- Your husband feels emotionally close through physical closeness.
- We like to be pursued sometimes as well.
Annual Maintenance Check: Part 12 – Parenting from the Same Page
April 5, 2020 Mike Meyers HomeFront
Listen (Audio Only)
Discussion Questions
- What would a “vision” for parenting include? What words would you use to describe the goal?
- Parents, what is, or was, your area of greatest disagreement when it comes to parenting? How have you worked those out?
- What are some principles for parenting, in your view?
- How does/could viewing your role as disciplemaker change your approach to parenting?
Annual Maintenance Check: Part 11 – Marriage on Purpose
March 27, 2020 Mike Meyers HomeFront
Listen (Audio Only)
Discussion Questions
- What are some unique characteristics of your marriage that the Lord might use?
- How are you, or could you be, serving Christ together?
- What are you, or can you be, doing as a couple to give of yourselves to friends, extended family, neighbors, and other members of the larger community?
- How do you think an outward focused marriage can benefit your relationship?
Annual Maintenance Check: Part 10 – You Gotta Have Faith
March 21, 2020 Mike Meyers HomeFront
Listen (Audio Only)
Discussion Questions
- Are we on the same page on spiritual matters (prayer, giving of time, talents, or treasure, church attendance, community connectedness, time in the Word, etc)?
- Ask your spouse; how can I encourage you in your relationship with the LORD?
- How can we abide in Christ together? In what ways can we blend our spiritual love languages*, and learn new languages?*Song, acts of service, nature, solitude, ritual/tradition, study, giving/gratitude
Annual Maintenance Check: Part 9 – Crisis Management – Conflict in Marriage
February 23, 2020 Mike Meyers HomeFront
Discussion Questions
- What do you fight about? Why? How often? What is the typical outcome?
- How have you, or could you, employ the “conflict defusers” we heard about today?
- What other strategies or principles have helped you navigate conflict?
