Author Archives: openarmsmike
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
Body, Soul, and Spirit: Intimacy in Marriage, Part 1 (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:
- On a scale of 1-10, how awkward is this topic?
- Do you agree with the statement regarding the reversal of body, soul, and spirit in the marriage relationship? Why or why not?
- Of the four areas we touched on, which is the one that resonates the most, and can you give an example from your marriage?
Key Verses
Part 1 – God’s Design & Intention
God’s objective for your marriage: Oneness – Body, Soul, & Spirit
– Ephesians 5:31
The Three Bridges to Intimacy
- Joy, Delight, & Desire
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- Proverbs 5:18
- Ecclesiastes 9:9
- Song of Songs 2:3
- Song of Songs 7:7-10
- Proverbs 5:18
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- Purity, Honor, & Faithfulness
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- Song of songs 2:2-3
- Proverbs 5:15-17
- Hebrews 13:4
- Malachi 2:15
- Song of songs 2:2-3
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- Romance & Love
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- 1 Corinthians 7:5, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
- Song of Songs 2:16
- 1 Corinthians 7:5, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
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Welcome to the Jungle: Parenting, temptation, and the digital jungle
Fathers must be diligent and intentional about protecting their sons and daughters and preparing them to walk through the “jungle” of digital technology.
Bootcamp to Battlefield – Colossians 3:1-17
A message given at Reston Bible Church – October 14, 2018
When you put your faith in Christ, you enter into a new life, you place yourself under a new authority, you take on a new identity, you are given a new purpose, and you have a new love.
DOWNLOAD AUDIO HERE
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
- What was one thing from this message that you found particularly interesting, helpful, or challenging?
- If someone were to ask you to explain what Christianity is all about, what would you tell him?
- What do life, authority, identity, purpose, and love look like in the world? How are they different in Christ? How did your life change when you came to faith in Christ and “put on the new self”?
- Read and discuss Colossians 3:1-17. How does this passage describe and instruct your new life, new authority, new identity, new purpose, and new love in Christ?
- What does it mean to say that Christ “is your life”? Can you profess that with a whole heart? If not, what is holding you back?
- What does unity in the body of Christ look like? Why is that unity such a powerful testimony to the world?
- Spend some time in prayer that God would help you so that “whatever you do, whether in word or deed” would be done in the name of Jesus.
Speaking this weekend at Reston Bible Church – 10/14
9 and 10:45 AM – 45650 Oakbrook Court, Dulles, VA 20166
Colossians 3 – New life, New authority, New identity, New purpose, New Love
Speaking this weekend at Friendship Baptist Church
“Reviving our Fire for Kids and Families Weekend”
Join me this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at Friendship Baptist Church in Chesterfield, VA for a weekend of Family-focused, Christ-centered equipping, encouragement, and exhortation. Topics to include parenting, marriage, missions, and children’s ministry. More information available at www.friendshipva.org
