Ronnie's Discussion Questions - VowFactor
First Colony Small Groups - Connecting in Christ-Centered Community...
Group Discussion Questions from Ronnie's Series: "The VOW Factor"
10.03.2010 - "The VOW Factor" (part one)
:: Note: While these questions were designed primarily with our small groups ministry in mind, we belive they would be beneficial for anyone wishing to "dig deeper" into the first few lessons of Ronnie's latest series on marriage. (Also note that not all these questions are based directly on the sermon.) There are more questions than a group could possibly cover in one meeting. We prefer to give you too much information rather than not enough!
:: Opening Questions...
(1) Is there a couple whose marriage you especiallly admire or respect? What characteristics of their marraige do you admire? In other words, who are some of your marriage heroes and mentors?
(2) What unwritten rules of marital love (both healthy and unhealthy) did you learn from your family of origin? How have those rules surfaced in your current relationships?
(3) Looking back over your sermon notes, was there a particular point or passage of Scripture that challenged, confused, encoruaged, or caught your eye?
(4) What are some examples of how marriage is disparaged in our culture?
(5) If you are single and looking to get married, what are your expectations for marriage? If you are married, why did you get married?
:: Questions for Deeper Exploration...
(1) Read Genesis 2:18-25. How has God designed men and women to complement each other in marriage? If you are married, why is it a good thing that God paired you with your spouse?
(2) Ronnie kicked off this series by saying that every marriage has two often overlooked gifts that create new life. These tow gifts are "gospel gifts" in that they are at the heart of what it means to know and follow Jesus. The two gifts are repentance and forgiveness, i.e., the abilities to make positive changes and create new beginnings.
We live out the gospel practically when we treat our flaws as more serious than our mate's flaws, adn whenever we treat our mate's needs as more important as our own. What are some positive changes, large or small, that you've made in your marriage over the last couple of years that have helped you honor each other?
:: Application Questions...
(1) You rarely notice guardrails until you are in an accident where one saves your life. The damage done by hitting a guardrail is minor when compared to what you would have hit had it not been there. Guardrails are good things!
(2) It's been said that "our culture does not promote guardrails. Culture is content with a painted line." If there is one area in your life that absolutely needs some guardrails, sexual integrity is probably it. Fortunately, the Bible is pretty clear on how we should approach integrity: flee from sexual immorality.
(3) Read 1 Corinthians 16:18-20. What are some of the differences between "flirting" with sexual immorality and "fleeing" from sexual immorality?
(4) Why does it make sense to build seemingly extreme guardrails in order to keep you relationally and sexually safe?
(5) Our culture invites us to flirt with sexual immorality. The Bible tells us to flee from sexual immorality. So you've got to decide - flirt or flee? To flee is to honor God with your body. But in order to do that, you need guardrails. So whether you are married or single, what are some specific guardrails you can establish to protect yourself in the area of sexual integrity?
:: Listen to the "Vow Factor" messages: Link to our sermon audio page.
10.10.2010 - "The VOW Factor" (part two)
:: Note: Not all these questions are based directly on the sermon, and there are more questions than a group could possibly cover in one meeting. We prefer to give you too much information rather than not enough!
:: Opening Questions...
(1) Falling in love is easy. Staying in love, being committed to each other, is a bit more difficult. Why do you think there are over 1,500 matchmaking organizations in this country? Why is there such a demand? Has it become harder or easier to fall in love, in spite of the fact that there are so many matchmaking opportunities?
(2) Marriage is a reflection of our understanding of teh gospel. Marriage reflects the Jesus/church relationship. As such, husbands have a responsibility to love and honor their wives in response to the gospel and for the sake of their testimony to the world. What obstacles and difficulties stand in the way of a husband's ability to fulfill this sacred responsibility today?
(3) How does a husband go about understanding his wife? Also, how does a wife go about understanding her husband? (Let everyone really chime in on this question.)
:: Questions for Deeper Exploration...
(1) What are the responsibilities of the husband toward his wife?
(2) What does the Bible mean when it says that the woman is the "weaker vessel"?
(3) How does the Bible support the idea that men and women are equal but different?
:: Application Questions...
(1) Husbands: Where do you need to grow in your understanding of your wife?
(2) How does your behavior preach the gospel (repentence and grace) to your spouse and others?
(3) Husbands: What does showing honor to your wife look like? What does it look like to her? How does your answer to that question differ from your wife's?
(4) How does your attitude and behavior in your marriage relationship affect your prayer life and your ministry?
(5) In Ephesians 5:21, Paul refers to mutual submission before he progresses into specific husband/wife dynamics. What does mutual submission look like in the context of a marriage?
(6) Is it possible to treat our spouses as "the most important people we've ever met?" What would this look like practically, and how would this mindset shape our relationship dynamics?
:: Listen to the "Vow Factor" messages: Link to our sermon audio page.
10.17.2010 - "The VOW Factor" (part three)
:: Note: In this small group discussion, let's consider the spirit of the wife towards her husband and how this can preach the gospel. This discussion is based on two passages of scripture: 1 Peter 3:1-7 and Ephesians 5:21-33.
:: Opening Questions...
(1) Read Philippians 2:3-11. How has Christ modeled fo rus humility and submission?
(2) Read Ephesians 5:22-24. Why is it important that the wife submit to her husband as the head of the family?
(3) What does it look like for a wife to submit to her husband? What does it not look like? What is the purpose of submission in marriage?
:: Questions for Deeper Exploration...
(1) To whose husband should a wife be subject? Why is that significant?
(2) What is one of the goals of wives submitting to their husbands?
(3) How are foolish husbands best won over to righteousness according to 1 Peter?
:: Application Questions...
(1) Why do these Biblical statements about submission stir up so much controversy in our culture?
(2) What are the distortions about headship and submission that pervert it?
(3) How have you seen conduct have a greater effect than words?
(4) What is a quiet and gentle spirit? How is this idea countercultural in our world today?
(5) In what ways is submission to one's husband an "internal adornment?"
(6) What do you spend more time adorning: the internal or the external?
(7) How is your fear subdued by trusting obedience to God? How is fear heightened by disobedience?
:: Listen to the "Vow Factor" messages: Link to our sermon audio page.
10.24.2010 - "The VOW Factor" (part four - "Mutual Funds")
(1) What kind of guardrails to you currently have in place to protect you from greed?
(2) Read Matthew 6:24. Do you agree that the greatest competitor to your trust is your stuff?
(3) Is there a difference between healthy consuming and unhealthy consuming / hoarding? If so, what is the difference?
(4) Read Matthew 6:31-33. What steps will you take to incorporate a lifestyle that practices give, save, live?
(5) What are some common stresses that the power of money can bring into a marriage?
(6) What are some helpful money skills that a couple can embrace together?
:: At the end of the day, this is not about dollars and cents; this is about trust. Do you trust God or do you trust your stuff? Putting your trust in your stuff is a reflection of greed - and no one wants to consider himself or herself greedy. The remedy? Learn to give, save, and live... in that order. Not only would that protect you from financial disaster... it could change your corner of the world.
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given unto you as well."
- Matthew 6:33
:: Listen to the "Vow Factor" messages: Link to our sermon audio page.
