The Vow to Fight 09 Feb 20

Traditional marriage vows:

To have and to hold from this day forward
for better, for worse
for richer, for poorer
in sickness and in health
and forsaking all others
I will be faithful to you
as long as we both shall live.

We’re going to fight for your marriage because it’s worth fighting for!

Satan’s lies about marriage:

1. If I could marry the right person I would be happy
2. I married the wrong person
   

“I married the wrong person” is:

1. Pragmatically wrong
2. Philosophically wrong
3. Biblically wrong

How to have a great marriage:

1. Fight for your marriage
2. Practice your faith in Jesus

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Start reading.

Romans 2:12 NLT

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Acts 13:2-3

One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.

Acts 19:21

Afterward, Paul felt compelled by the Spirit to go over to Macedonia and Achaia before going to Jerusalem. “And after that,” he said, “I must go on to Rome!”

Acts 21:4

We sought out the disciples there and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.

Acts 21:10-14

After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’” When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”

Start talking. Find a conversation starter for your group.

• If you are married, do you remember your wedding vows?
• What is your definition of the word “vow” without looking in the dictionary? 

Start thinking. Ask a question to get your group thinking.

• Troy mentioned 2 of Satan’s lies about marriage. What are they? Discuss each one. How have you seen them played out among family, friends, or acquaintances? What were you able to learn from their experiences?
• Read Romans 12:1-2. How does God reveal his will to us?
• Read Acts 13:2-3; 19:21; 21:4, 21:10-14. How do these verses demonstrate Larry Osborne’s teaching about God’s will for a marriage or career, that is, that God most often gives us a game plan rather than a blueprint for our behavior? How has that been demonstrated through the relationships in your life?

Start sharing. Choose a question to create openness.

• Why do you believe arranged marriages have a lower divorce rate than marriages based on love? Do you agree that comparison is valid? Why or why not? 
• What expectations of your spouse did you have before you were married? How have they changed since you’ve been married?
• If you’ve been divorced, what did you learn from the failed marriage? If you had it to do over again, what would you have done differently?
• Troy also shared two elements of a game plan to make a marriage work. They are to fight for your marriage and practice your faith in Jesus Christ. What part have each played in the marriages of friends and family, as well as your own (if you are married)? What lessons have you learned in the practice of each one?

Start doing. Commit to a step and live it out this week.

• Commit to living the life of faith that God has called you to live. Pray, study and meditate on God’s word, and seek Godly counsel if needed.
• If you are a married couple consider signing up for Marriage on the Rock starting on Sunday, February 23rd. 

Start praying.  Be bold and pray with power.

• Heavenly Father, forgive us for placing our friends, relationships, and other things before You. Give us the strength to place You first in every part of our lives. Help us to learn how to practice our faith in you in our marriages and our everyday. Amen!. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Start digging. For further study.

• Read the article, “What is God’s design for marriage?” in Got Questions.

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