Harvest Bible Chapel Pittsburgh North Sermons — Harvest Bible Chapel Pittsburgh North

Marriage

Marriage: God's Picture

Two Words for a God-Glorifying Marriage:

  1. A word for wives: SUBMIT. (Eph 5:22)

    2. How? Like the church does to Christ!

    1. It’s Exclusive. (Eph 5:22-23)
    2. It’s Exhaustive. (Eph 5:24)

  2. A Word for Husbands: LOVE. (Eph 5:25)

    3. How? Like Christ does for the church!

    1. It’s Unselfish. (Eph 5:25-30)
    2. It’s Unstoppable. (Eph 5:31-32)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
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Tighten the Knot - Gods Picture of Marriage
Jeff Miller
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Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Ephesians 5:22-33

  1. What does the word “submit” mean, in general terms? Why is this instruction given to wives? What are some things submit does NOT mean? How would you explain this concept to a young female friend that just got married?
     
  2. Describe, in your own words, the picture of Christ and the church that is supposed to play out in marriage. Why did God design marriage to work that way?
     
  3. Why does God tell men to LOVE their wives, but tell wives to RESPECT their husbands (Eph 5:33)? Why did God use these specific words?

Breakout Questions:

  1. Please continue to pray for marriages in your small group and those you know who are struggling in their marriages. (church, family, friends, coworkers, whoever!)

Parents Children's Questions:

  1. Discuss with your kids! What does authority mean? What does submit mean? How does Jesus treat the church? How should the church treat Jesus?
     
  2. If the wife is supposed to be like the church, how should she treat her husband? If the husband is to be like Jesus, how should he treat his wife?

Marriage: God’s Plan

God’s Plan for Marriage (Genesis 2:24):

  1. LEAVE for your new priority.

    2. Four Things Parents Say:

    1. Do it my way.
    2. Let me do it for you.
    3. Do what we've always done.
    4. Criticize your spouse.

  2. CLEAVE to your wife/husband exclusively.

    • Keep no secrets.
    • Do nothing that makes your spouse uncomfortable.
    • My money is our money.

  3. WEAVE your lives together in unity.

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
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Tighten the Knot - Gods Plan for Marriage
Jeff Miller
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Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Genesis 2:18-25

  1. Why was it “not good” for man to be alone? What does this statement say about God (Gen 2:18)?
     
  2. What is the significance that woman was taken “out of man” (Gen 2:22)?
  3. Explain God’s plan for marriage (Gen 2:24) in your own words. Why is this the most important verse in the Bible about marriage?

Breakout Questions:
Pray for the marriages in HBCPN that

  • God would strengthen those that are healthy, in order to encourage others
  • God would do a miracle in marriages that are struggling
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Marriage: God's Unchanging Plan

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Why God Hates Divorce, and Why You Should, Too


  1. Divorce is caused by SIN . (Mk 10:1-5)

  2. Divorce destroys God's WORK . (Mk 10:6-9)

    3. God's Plan for Marriage:

    1. Will never CHANGE . (Mk 10:6a)


    2. Is for a MAN and a WOMAN . (Mk 10:6b)

    3. Is turning TWO people into ONE person. (Mk 10:7-9)

  3. Divorce leads to more SIN . (Mk 10:10-12)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
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Follow the Leader - Marriage: Gods Unchanging Plan
Jeff Miller
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Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 10:1-12

  1. Why did Jesus say divorce was caused by "hardness of heart" (Mk 10:5)? What does that say about how God views divorce?
     
  2. Read Deuteronomy 24:1-4. What is the actual command regarding divorce? Why did God make such a commandment?
     
  3. How would you respond to someone saying to you, "The Bible doesn't say marriage has to be between a man and a woman. If two gay people love each other, why shouldn't they get married?"

Breakout Questions:
Discuss how you can be a more godly spouse. Pray for strong marriages in your group!

Drink Up!

How to Affair Proof Your Marriage

  1. Flee the Fire (Proverbs 6:27-29)

    2. The Fire of Passion:

    1. ALLURES (Prv 5:3)

    2. SSPREADS (Prv 5:8)

    3. BURNS (Prv 5:11, 14)

  2. Drink the WATER (Prv 5:15-19)

    1. Enjoy it Exclusively (Prv 5:15-17)

    2. Enjoy it TOTALLY (Prv 5:18-19a)

    3. Enjoy it Liberally (Prv 5:19b-20)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!
Sermon Audio: (no recording)

Small Group Questions ­(Whole Group):
Read Proverbs 5:15-19

  1. Why do you think the rate of spouses having affairs is so high?

  2. How is monogamy more fulfilling than ”playing the field”?

Breakout Questions:

  1. What have you been doing to affair ­proof your marriage?
     
  2. How do you make your spouse feel like he/she is still your #1?

1 Corinthians 7:25 - ­ But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another... (goes on to describe taking a timeout for prayer)

How to Choose the Right Spouse (101)

Step 1: Know what to Look For.

Step 2: Know what’s at Stake.

Step 3: Choose Prayerfully.


The 3 C's of Spouse Selection

  1. Christ

    Proverbs 19:14 - House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.


  2. Character

    Proverbs 31:10 - An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.


  3. Counsel

    Proverbs 15:22 - Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.

Appendix A: Am I a Wise Choice?

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!
Sermon Audio: (no recording)

Small Group Questions ­(Whole Group):
Read Proverbs 12:4

  1. How would you instruct a teenager/young adult to look for character when it comes time for them to consider a spouse?
     
  2. Suppose a friend of yours (a Christian) is in a serious relationship with a non­-Christian. 
    Would you say something to your friend, or just let him/her be?
    If you did have opportunity to speak to him/her about this situation, what would you say?
     
  3. Suppose another Christian friend of yours is married, but comes to you and says they are considering divorce and want your opinion. What would you say?

Breakout Questions:

  1. What is your weakest area as a spouse? (for the unmarried, what do you foresee as a weak area for you when you do get married?)
     
  2. Pray for one another.