New Life Irvine

1. How would you describe your parent's marriage? What was healthy about it? What was unhealthy?

2. How do you feel about Ephesians 5:22? What are the first thoughts that come to mind when you hear it?

3. Of the four misunderstandings that were shared, which one do you resonate with the most?

4. Which verse do you think is more misunderstood, verse 22 or verse 25?

5. How is the world's concept of marriage different the Bible's concept of marriage?

6. How does the prospect of our future marriage in heaven minister to you today?

Read Ephesians 5:18-33

The sermon this past Sunday surveyed (1) the heart of marriage, (2) the desired outcome of marriage, and (3) the dance that husbands and wives play out in marriage.

1. In your observation, what would you estimate are the the predominant reasons for why people get married today? How might those reasons be in line with God’s design for marriage, or contrary to God’s design for marriage.

2. Describe some of the differences between “consumer” and “covenant” models of marriage.

“If God had the gospel of Jesus’s salvation in mind when he established marriage, then marriage only “works” to the degree that approximates the pattern of God’s self-giving love in Christ.” (Tim & Kathy Keller, The Meaning of Marriage)

3. What do you think helps one improve in “the pattern of God’s self-giving love in Christ?”

4. What do you need to make marriage work? How does “living by the spirit” (Eph. 5:18) fit into your life?

5. What would you estimate is the hardest yet most important function of being a husband or a wife?

“If our views of marriage are too romantic and idealistic, we underestimate the influence of sin on human life. If they are too pessimistic and cynical, we misunderstand marriage’s divine origin.” (Tim & Kathy Keller, The Meaning of Marriage)

6. If you are married what do you think are the greatest potential threats to your marriage, and how do you propose to manage that?

If you are not married, what do you think are the greatest potential threats to your heart: “idolizing” marriage, being cynical and heard hearted towards marriage.

1. How important is music in your life? Who are your favorite artists? If you were stuck on an island and could only choose 3 artists, who would be on your playlist?

2. What role has music played in your faith journey? How has this changed over the years?

3. Do you find it easier to read the Bible or sing to Him? Why is that? When was the last time you really sang to our Lord? What truth captivated your heart?

4. How does the worship of others impact you? Can you think of a time where someone else's singing encouraged and edified you?

5. What truths of the Bible has the Holy Spirit impressed upon you this year? What truths have come "alive" as a result of the Spirit's working?

6. What is a practical step you can take in helping your faith become more of a "singing" faith?

1. What does the passage of Philippians suggest about the relationship between contentment and material possessions?

2. The sermon talks about the paradox of Christians being both the most contented and unsatisfied people in the world. Can you explain this paradox in your own words and provide examples from your own life or experiences?

3. How does the idea of contentment in Christian faith differ from contentment in secular philosophies like Stoicism?

4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of finding contentment in Christ. How can one practically apply this concept in their daily life? Can you share personal experiences or strategies for finding contentment in your relationship with Christ?

5. The sermon concludes by discussing the idea that contentment allows us to live without fear, be generous, and love our enemies. How does contentment influence one's attitudes and actions toward others?

1. Everybody has a center, a center that their lives orbit around. If someone watched a video of your life this past month, what would they say is your center? How does a life centered on God more healthy than the one you are currently living?

2. How would you compare your consumption of the world's messaging vs. your consumption of the Word? What do you think you could do to help increase your exposure and digestion of God's Word? What could others do to help you increase your Word intake?

3. What are some examples of the error of accommodation? How has the church historically committed this error?

4. What are some examples of the error of antagonism? How has the church historically committed this error?

5. How does Jesus' earthly ministry show us how to relate to the darkness of this world?

6. Each of us has a mission field--a field of darkness where the light of God's kingdom has not reached. What do you believe yours is?

7. Which best describes your relationship to the city you live in: are you a commuter, survivor, tourist, or native?

Ephesians 5:1-7

2 Kings 5