In This Together, Part 4: When Grace Gets Married

#1 Watch or Listen To "When Grace Gets Married"

Consider this Sunday morning’s lesson. You can listen here: http://bit.ly/1gCDfNL

Or watch here [video will be posted by Monday each week]: www.vimeo.com/rrcoc

What stuck out to you as interesting?

Did you encounter any challenging or re-orienting truth?

 

#2 So. Much. Grace.

During the sermon we considered an "economy of scarcity" contrasted with an "economy of abundance."

  • What does a person with an economy of scarcity believe about how the world works? How do they live life?
  • How does a person with an economy of abundance believe and live differently?

Have you ever let an economy of scarcity boss you around? Why is it so hard to believe there's enough? Do you ever feel like maybe there isn't enough? Share.

How does an economy of abundance change the way you interact in marriage? If there's always enough (forgiveness, interest, kindness...), how will you treat your spouse differently?

 

#3 Repaid

As we read on Sunday, we're called by God to "repay evil with blessing."

How do we do that? Have you ever done something evil to your spouse and been repaid with blessing? Share.

Consider the following scenarios. What would it look like to repay evil with blessing in each one?

  • Your spouse says something hurtful about your physical appearance.
  • Your spouse mistreats your parents.
  • Your spouse eats the last slice of cake without even asking if you wanted it.
  • Your spouse is late for dinner and doesn't call to let you know.
  • Your spouse lies to you about work. You find out from a third party that he or she is probably going to get fired.
  • Your spouse has an affair.
  • Your spouse spends half your retirement on a boat without telling you.

 

#4 Confidence

Read Hebrews 4:15-16

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

What do we find when we approach the throne of God? What does God offer in our time of need?

With what posture should we approach the throne?

  • What reason do we have to be confident?

If we're called to be like God (and we are), how should we treat our spouse when he or she comes seeking grace? Can your spouse approach you in a time of need with confidence that he or she will find grace and mercy?

 

#5 Share.

One of the best things you could do this week would be to spend some time sharing. Just share a time when you received or offered grace in a relationship.

  • How did it make you feel?
  • How did it affect the relationship?
  • Would you do it again?

 

#6 Pray.

Grace isn't easy to offer. Let's pray this week that we'd be willing channels of God's grace.

You might decide to pray The Lord's Prayer together. Before you do, think about the words you'll say, particularly these:

"Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us."

How often do you forgive your spouse of the sins they sin against you? Do you want God to forgive you the way you forgive others?

  • Before you pray, you might want to give couples a minute to extend forgiveness to one another.
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