Questions for February 13

Series: "Threesome: Me, You and God"
Message: "3Harmony"

Opening
Review announcements and open with prayer and singing, if someone wants to lead and the group is on board.

It’s Valentine’s weekend.  Maybe a few folks can share a fond memory of the holiday. 

Learn It
Our verse summarizes the heart of Christian relationships: 
“... a cord of three strands is not easily broken.” ~ Ecc 4:12

This series will explore biblical teachings on weaving God into all aspects of our relationships.  Today we start at the beginning: how do we get into a Christ-centered, God-honoring relationship?
Have a couple or two share about how they “found” each other, fell in love, and got married.

1 Corinthians 7 is a massive chapter dealing with marriage.
If your group leaders desire, read the passage and pick it apart.  There is a ton of information, and controversial stuff-  just warning you!
 
One key verse is,  “... those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that.” 1 Corinthians 7:28

• Would you agree or disagree with this, and why?

Discuss the “Five Core Compatibilities”:

1. Spiritual Compatibility (2 Corinthians 6:14)

• Did you have this kind of compatibility with with your spouse?  Were you at a very different place in your relationship with God when you were first married?
• If you are currently dating or engaged, have you talked about this?  If not, how can you bring this into the relationship?
• If there is not “Spiritual Compatibility,” are you willing to make changes and deal with this discrepancy?

2. Communication Compatibility. (Ephesians 5:31-33)

• How is your communication?  Rate it on a scale from “horrible to great.”
• If you have great communication skills share with the group how that has grown, and why is it so important.
• How do you handle conflict and arguments?  Seek wisdom from the bible and the group as you process this together.
• Check out Ephesians 4:25-32 for more good direction.

3. Character Compatibility. (1 Peter 1:13-15)

• You have to talk about character issues as you see them in your spouse/partner.  This is not easy.  How have approached this sensitive and critical issue in the past?
• What would you instinctively say are the most important character issues for the survival of any relationship?  List, and discuss.

4. Value Compatibility. (2 Corinthians 7:1)

• Do you know what you value, and how you want to live life?  Have you talked about this with your partner?
• What would a map of your values look like, as an individual, and as a couple?

5. Sexual Compatibility. (1 Corinthians 7:4-5)

• We’ll look more closely at sexuality and the Christian world view in 3 weeks.  The bible affirms that God invented sex and has a plan for sex: It is part of a marriage covenant, for mutual fulfillment and making babies. 
• If your group still has time you can discuss the role and importance of physical attraction and sexual fulfillment in marriage. 

Live It
Close with a time of prayer with and for one another.