Why Jesus? Love Right.

Introduction:

Three Things Jesus-Followers Should Be Known For (Hebrews 13:1-6)

1. Compassion : We look for people to Love . (Heb 13:1-3)

   Five Reasons to Not Show Compassion:

   1. Maybe it's their own fault.
   2. Maybe they should suffer to teach them a lesson.
   3. Maybe they won't appreciate my help. (I've helped before and got burned!)
   4. Maybe they'll waste what I give them.
   5. Maybe I got my own problems to deal with.

   One Reason to Show Compassion:

   1. Jesus
2. Covenant : We believe Marriage is a great thing. (Heb 13:4)
3. Contentment : We have all we Need . (Heb 13:5-6)

   Ecclesiastes 5:19 - Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God.

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Discussion
Read Hebrews 13:1-6

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. What do you think HBC is known for?
   

3. What are some practical ways that you can show hospitality to strangers?
   

4. How would you answer this question: why is sex only for married people (Heb 13:4)?
   

5. In what areas do you struggle with contentment (Heb 13:5)?

Breakout
Pray for one another, and pray for HBC to be a church known for compassion, covenant, and contentment.

God's Design for Marriage

Introduction:

Genesis 1:1 - In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

God's Design for Marriage (Genesis 2:18-25):

1. Leave for your new priority.
2. Cleave to your wife exclusively.
3. Weave your lives together in unity.

   Matthew 19:6 - So they are no longer two but one flesh.

   Matthew 19:6 - What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.

3 Things to Embrace to Grow in Unity:

1. I keep no Secrets .
2. I do nothing that makes my spouse Uncomfortable .
3. My money is Our money .

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Discussion
Read Genesis 2:18-25

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. Why did God have Adam name the animals (Gen 2:19-20)? What was the point of that assignment?
   

3. Why is “leaving father and mother” the necessary first step in marriage? What does it mean to “leave”?
   

4. What does it mean that marriage is a “covenant”? For those married - how does that determine the way we conduct ourselves as a spouse?
   

5. What is the best piece of marriage advice you’ve ever heard?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

Getting Back to Marriage Commitment

Introduction:

Faithless in Marriage is Faithless to God

Review: Matthew 5:23 | 1 Timothy 3:4-5 | 1 Timothy 5:8

1. Because you made a Covenant before God. (Mal 2:10-12)



2. Because you are being Joined Together by God. (Mal 2:13-15a)



Matthew 19:6 - So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.



3. Because you have a Purpose for God. (Mal 2:15b-16)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
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Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Malachi 2:1-16

1.  What were the issues God was calling out the priests on in Malachi 2:8? What does this say about people in (any) ministry today?

2. Why is it you need to be faithful in your horizontal relationships in order to be faithful in your vertical relationship with God? See Matthew 5:23 & 1 John 4:20.

3. What are some specific modern day examples of people not keeping their word? Why do you think people don’t keep their word today?

4. How is oneness in marriage a reality and a process at the same time (Mal 2:15)? See Genesis 2:24.

5. What are some ways, if you are married, you can "guard yourself" (Mal 2:15-16)? Be specific.

Breakout Questions:
Married people: How are you making your marriage a priority?

Living in a One-Sided Marriage (Men's Edition)

Honoring God in Your Marriage (When Your Wife is Not):

1. Get to KNOW her. (1 Peter 3:7a)



2. TREASURE her. (1 Peter 3:7b)



3. ENJOY life with her. (1 Peter 3:7c)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read 1 Peter 3:7 (Men: Multiple times!!!)

1. Name some practical ways men can learn more about their wives and how to meet their needs. Ladies, please chime in. We need the help.
    
2. What does Peter mean to to honor your wife as the “weaker vessel”? How should that affect the way you think about your wife?
    
3. How can our conduct towards our wives hinder our prayers for our wives?

Breakout Questions:
Pray for the marriages (and the singles in the group) to:

• grow in oneness
• understand our God-given roles
• show grace

Living in a One-Sided Marriage (Women's Edition)

Honoring God in Your Marriage (When Your Husband is Not):

1. Your CONDUCT must be more important than your words. (1 Peter 3:1-2)



2. Your CHARACTER must be more beautiful than your clothes. (1 Peter 3:3-4)



3. Your FAITH must be bigger than your FEARS. (1 Peter 3:5-6)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read 1 Peter 3:1-6

1. How is a husband won over by his wife “without a word”? Explain what this means. If the wife isn’t to “preach”, how will the husband hear the Word of God?
    
2. What are ways some women tend to focus on the external appearance? What kinds of “internal beauty marks” does Peter say to work on (1 Peter 3:4)? What are practical ways to work on those?
    
3. Pretend a (saved) coworker with an unsaved husband comes to you asking for advice on how to handle her pagan hubby. He is not interested in church or anything spiritual, which is important to her. He shows her no Christlike love like he is supposed to, so she is thinking about a divorce. “Why would God want me stuck in a marriage like this?” she says. What would you tell her to do, in light of this passage?

Breakout Questions:

1. Same theme, all month. This time: Pray for your spouse, specifically. Their walk with Christ. Their health. Their emotional well-being.
    
2. Not married? Pray for your future spouse. Don’t plan on getting married? Pray for a marriage you know of that needs the knot tightened.