Marriage Bible Study For Small Groups - WordPress.com€¦ · Marriage Bible Study for Small Groups...

Marriage Bible Study for Small Groups

Created by W. Lawrence Hess for The S.E.A. of Galilee Fellowship

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These studies are designed to be discussed in small group settings. This curriculum is designed to work on group discovery and more importantly what the Lord reveals to each individual and to each group. This curriculum is not designed for settings that rely on formal teaching sessions etc. The basic format is to begin with the “Community Caring and Communicating” questions:

1. What good things have happened in your life since we last met? 2. Do you have any struggles or concerns in your life right now? 3. How did you do with what you said you were going to change

since last we met? 4. Did you and your Spouse pray every day as you had planned last

time we met?

These are the first four discussions at each session (the questions are slightly different in the first session because there is no previous meeting to have planned for these questions adequately). Question 1 is asked and then each member of the group shares his or her answer. After you have completed a round of the group discussing question 1 then you read question 2 and let each person share their answers and then question 3, then question 4. After these discussions someone in the group reads the passage for that study aloud (you may want to have more than one person read it aloud especially if participants have different versions of the Bible). Next have the participants read the passage silently to themselves. When the reading is completed, the group moves on to discussion of the four study questions:

1. What do you learn about God? 2. What do you learn about People? 3. What do you learn about Marriage? 4. What do you learn about Yourself?

This is an open discussion of the passage that is facilitated by whoever the leader is and IS NOT TAUGHT LIKE A CLASS. The facilitator’s goal is to get everybody else to share not to teach everyone else. It is important that if somebody share something that is not related to the passage your are studying that the questions: “Where does that appear in this passage?” be asked by the other members, but not as punishment. The question has to be asked with the mindset of truly seeing where the person is getting that from. When that is done you move on to the “Commitment to Change” questions:

1. What will you do differently because of what we discussed in this study?

2. What will you do from now until the next time we meet because of what we discussed in this study?

3. What will you and your spouse pray about every day until our next meeting

The handouts for each lesson are designed to demonstrate what the participants can use to prepare for the sessions. The best way to use these is to give each member the next lesson’s handout to fill out the four columns with the “What do you learn…” questions or simply give the participants the scripture for the next meeting and have participants fill out the answers on regular lined paper. YES THERE IS HOMEWORK TO PREPARE. Attendees must agree to all of these things before the study begins. Once the group is 2 – 3 lessons in new people should probably not be added to the studies as they would be at a different place in their growth and would have missed too much. It is better to start a group probably facilitated by someone who has previously done the study or who is currently doing the study in this group.



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What good things have happened in your life since we last met? Do you have any struggles or concerns in your life right now? How did you do with what you said you were going to change since last we met? Did you and your Spouse pray every day as you had planned last time we met?

Verse: Matthew 19:4-6 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW) 4 Jesus answered, “Haven’t you read that the Creator made them male and female in the beginning 5 and that he said, ‘That’s why a man will leave his father and mother and will remain united with his wife, and the two will be one’? 6 So they are no longer two but one. Therefore, don’t let anyone separate what God has joined together.” WHAT DO YOU LEARN ABOUT: God People Marriage Yourself

What will you do differently because of what we discussed in this study?

What will you do from now until the next time we meet because of what we discussed in this study?

What will you and your spouse pray about every day until our next meeting?



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What good things have happened in your life since we last met? Do you have any struggles or concerns in your life right now? How did you do with what you said you were going to change since last we met? Did you and your Spouse pray every day as you had planned last time we met? Verse: Hebrews 13:4 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW) 4 Marriage is honorable in every way, so husbands and wives should be faithful to each other. God will judge those who commit sexual sins, especially those who commit adultery. WHAT DO YOU LEARN ABOUT: God People Marriage Yourself






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What good things have happened in your life since we last met? Do you have any struggles or concerns in your life right now? How did you do with what you said you were going to change since last we met? Did you and your Spouse pray every day as you had planned last time we met? Verse: Ecclesiastes 4:9-11 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW) 9 Two people are better than one because together they have a good reward for their hard work. 10 If one falls, the other can help his friend get up. But how tragic it is for the one who is all alone when he falls. There is no one to help him get up. 11 Again, if two people lie down together, they can keep warm, but how can one person keep warm? WHAT DO YOU LEARN ABOUT: God People Marriage Yourself






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What good things have happened in your life since we last met? Do you have any struggles or concerns in your life right now? How did you do with what you said you were going to change since last we met? Did you and your Spouse pray every day as you had planned last time we met? Verse: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW) 4 Love is patient. Love is kind. Love isn’t jealous. It doesn’t sing its own praises. It isn’t arrogant. 5 It isn’t rude. It doesn’t think about itself. It isn’t irritable. It doesn’t keep track of wrongs. 6 It isn’t happy when injustice is done, but it is happy with the truth. 7 Love never stops being patient, never stops believing, never stops hoping, never gives up. WHAT DO YOU LEARN ABOUT: God People Marriage Yourself






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What good things have happened in your life since we last met? Do you have any struggles or concerns in your life right now? How did you do with what you said you were going to change since last we met? Did you and your Spouse pray every day as you had planned last time we met? Verse: Galatians 5:19-23 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW) 19 Now, the effects of the corrupt nature are obvious: illicit sex, perversion, promiscuity, 20 idolatry, drug use, hatred, rivalry, jealousy, angry outbursts, selfish ambition, conflict, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild partying, and things like that. I’ve told you in the past and I’m telling you again that people who do things like that will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the spiritual nature produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There are no laws against things like that. WHAT DO YOU LEARN ABOUT: God People Marriage Yourself






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What good things have happened in your life since we last met? Do you have any struggles or concerns in your life right now? How did you do with what you said you were going to change since last we met? Did you and your Spouse pray every day as you had planned last time we met? Verse: Ephesians 4:26-27 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW) 26 Be angry without sinning. Don’t go to bed angry. 27 Don’t give the devil any opportunity to work WHAT DO YOU LEARN ABOUT: God People Marriage Yourself






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What good things have happened in your life since we last met? Do you have any struggles or concerns in your life right now? How did you do with what you said you were going to change since last we met? Did you and your Spouse pray every day as you had planned last time we met? Verse: Proverbs 12:16 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW) 16 When a stubborn fool is irritated, he shows it immediately, but a sensible person hides the insult. WHAT DO YOU LEARN ABOUT: God People Marriage Yourself






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What good things have happened in your life since we last met? Do you have any struggles or concerns in your life right now? How did you do with what you said you were going to change since last we met? Did you and your Spouse pray every day as you had planned last time we met? Verse: Proverbs 12:18 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW) 18 Careless words stab like a sword, but the words of wise people bring healing. WHAT DO YOU LEARN ABOUT: God People Marriage Yourself






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What good things have happened in your life since we last met? Do you have any struggles or concerns in your life right now? How did you do with what you said you were going to change since last we met? Did you and your Spouse pray every day as you had planned last time we met? Verse: James 1:19-20 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW) 19 Remember this, my dear brothers and sisters: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and should not get angry easily. 20 An angry person doesn’t do what God approves of. WHAT DO YOU LEARN ABOUT: God People Marriage Yourself






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What good things have happened in your life since we last met? Do you have any struggles or concerns in your life right now? How did you do with what you said you were going to change since last we met? Did you and your Spouse pray every day as you had planned last time we met? Verse: Matthew 12:25 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW) 25 Since Jesus knew what they were thinking, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is ruined. And every city or household divided against itself will not last. WHAT DO YOU LEARN ABOUT: God People Marriage Yourself






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What good things have happened in your life since we last met? Do you have any struggles or concerns in your life right now? How did you do with what you said you were going to change since last we met? Did you and your Spouse pray every day as you had planned last time we met? Verse: James 4:1-3 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW) 4 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Aren’t they caused by the selfish desires that fight to control you? 2 You want what you don’t have, so you commit murder. You’re determined to have things, but you can’t get what you want. You quarrel and fight. You don’t have the things you want, because you don’t pray for them. 3 When you pray for things, you don’t get them because you want them for the wrong reason—for your own pleasure. WHAT DO YOU LEARN ABOUT: God People Marriage Yourself






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What good things have happened in your life since we last met? Do you have any struggles or concerns in your life right now? How did you do with what you said you were going to change since last we met? Did you and your Spouse pray every day as you had planned last time we met? Verse: Ephesians 4:29-32 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW) 29 Don’t say anything that would hurt another person. Instead, speak only what is good so that you can give help wherever it is needed. That way, what you say will help those who hear you. 30 Don’t give God’s Holy Spirit any reason to be upset with you. He has put his seal on you for the day you will be set free from the world of sin. 31 Get rid of your bitterness, hot tempers, anger, loud quarreling, cursing, and hatred. 32 Be kind to each other, sympathetic, forgiving each other as God has forgiven you through Christ. WHAT DO YOU LEARN ABOUT: God People Marriage Yourself






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What good things have happened in your life since we last met? Do you have any struggles or concerns in your life right now? How did you do with what you said you were going to change since last we met? Did you and your Spouse pray every day as you had planned last time we met? Verse: Proverbs 21:9 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW) 9 Better to live on a corner of a roof than to share a home with a quarreling woman. WHAT DO YOU LEARN ABOUT: God People Marriage Yourself






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What good things have happened in your life since we last met? Do you have any struggles or concerns in your life right now? How did you do with what you said you were going to change since last we met? Did you and your Spouse pray every day as you had planned last time we met? Verse: Proverbs 20:6-7 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW) 6 Many people declare themselves loyal, but who can find someone who is really trustworthy? 7 A righteous person lives on the basis of his integrity. Blessed are his children after he is gone. WHAT DO YOU LEARN ABOUT: God People Marriage Yourself






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What good things have happened in your life since we last met? Do you have any struggles or concerns in your life right now? How did you do with what you said you were going to change since last we met? Did you and your Spouse pray every day as you had planned last time we met? Verse: Ephesians 5:25 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW) 25 Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave his life for it. WHAT DO YOU LEARN ABOUT: God People Marriage Yourself






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What good things have happened in your life since we last met? Do you have any struggles or concerns in your life right now? How did you do with what you said you were going to change since last we met? Did you and your Spouse pray every day as you had planned last time we met? Verse: Matthew 7:3-5 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW) 3 So why do you see the piece of sawdust in another believer’s eye and not notice the wooden beam in your own eye? 4 How can you say to another believer, ‘Let me take the piece of sawdust out of your eye,’ when you have a beam in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite! First remove the beam from your own eye. Then you will see clearly to remove the piece of sawdust from another believer’s eye. WHAT DO YOU LEARN ABOUT: God People Marriage Yourself






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What good things have happened in your life since we last met? Do you have any struggles or concerns in your life right now? How did you do with what you said you were going to change since last we met? Did you and your Spouse pray every day as you had planned last time we met? Verse: Proverbs 25:19 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW) 19 Like a broken tooth and a lame foot, so is confidence in an unfaithful person in a time of crisis. WHAT DO YOU LEARN ABOUT: God People Marriage Yourself






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What good things have happened in your life since we last met? Do you have any struggles or concerns in your life right now? How did you do with what you said you were going to change since last we met? Did you and your Spouse pray every day as you had planned last time we met? Verse: Proverbs 27:6 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW) 6 Wounds made by a friend are intended to help, but an enemy’s kisses are too much to bear. WHAT DO YOU LEARN ABOUT: God People Marriage Yourself






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What good things have happened in your life since we last met? Do you have any struggles or concerns in your life right now? How did you do with what you said you were going to change since last we met? Did you and your Spouse pray every day as you had planned last time we met? Verse: Ecclesiastes 5:10 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW) 10 Whoever loves money will never be satisfied with money. Whoever loves wealth will never be satisfied with more income. Even this is pointless. WHAT DO YOU LEARN ABOUT: God People Marriage Yourself






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What good things have happened in your life since we last met? Do you have any struggles or concerns in your life right now? How did you do with what you said you were going to change since last we met? Did you and your Spouse pray every day as you had planned last time we met? Verse: Ephesians 4:24-25 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW) 24 You were also taught to become a new person created to be like God, truly righteous and holy. 25 So then, get rid of lies. Speak the truth to each other, because we are all members of the same body. WHAT DO YOU LEARN ABOUT: God People Marriage Yourself






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What good things have happened in your life since we last met? Do you have any struggles or concerns in your life right now? How did you do with what you said you were going to change since last we met? Did you and your Spouse pray every day as you had planned last time we met? Verse: 1 Corinthians 7:4-5 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW) 4 A wife doesn’t have authority over her own body, but her husband does. In the same way, a husband doesn’t have authority over his own body, but his wife does. 5 Don’t withhold yourselves from each other unless you agree to do so for a set time to devote yourselves to prayer. Then you should get back together so that Satan doesn’t use your lack of self-control to tempt you. WHAT DO YOU LEARN ABOUT: God People Marriage Yourself






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What good things have happened in your life since we last met? Do you have any struggles or concerns in your life right now? How did you do with what you said you were going to change since last we met? Did you and your Spouse pray every day as you had planned last time we met? Verse: Proverbs 5:18-19 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW) 18 Let your own fountain be blessed, and enjoy the girl you married when you were young, 19 a loving doe and a graceful deer. Always let her breasts satisfy you. Always be intoxicated with her love. WHAT DO YOU LEARN ABOUT: God People Marriage Yourself






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What good things have happened in your life since we last met? Do you have any struggles or concerns in your life right now? How did you do with what you said you were going to change since last we met? Did you and your Spouse pray every day as you had planned last time we met? Verse: Malachi 2:13-16 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW) 13 Here is another thing you do: You cover the LORD’s altar with tears. You moan and groan because he no longer pays attention to your offerings or accepts them from you. 14

But you ask, “Why aren’t our offerings accepted?” It is because the LORD is a witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been unfaithful. Yet, she is your companion, the wife of your marriage vows. 15 Didn’t God make you one? Your flesh and spirit belong to him. And what does the same God look for but godly descendants? So be careful not to be unfaithful to the wife of your youth. 16 “I hate divorce,” says the LORD God of Israel. “I hate the person who covers himself with violence,” says the LORD of Armies. “Be careful not to be unfaithful.” WHAT DO YOU LEARN ABOUT: God People Marriage Yourself






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What good things have happened in your life since we last met? Do you have any struggles or concerns in your life right now? How did you do with what you said you were going to change since last we met? Did you and your Spouse pray every day as you had planned last time we met? Verse: James 3:9-11 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW) 9 With our tongues we praise our Lord and Father. Yet, with the same tongues we curse people, who were created in God’s likeness. 10 Praise and curses come from the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, this should not happen! 11 Do clean and polluted water flow out of the same spring? WHAT DO YOU LEARN ABOUT: God People Marriage Yourself






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What good things have happened in your life since we last met? Do you have any struggles or concerns in your life right now? How did you do with what you said you were going to change since last we met? Did you and your Spouse pray every day as you had planned last time we met? Verse: Proverbs 18:21 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW) 21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love to talk will have to eat their own words. WHAT DO YOU LEARN ABOUT: God People Marriage Yourself






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What good things have happened in your life since we last met? Do you have any struggles or concerns in your life right now? How did you do with what you said you were going to change since last we met? Did you and your Spouse pray every day as you had planned last time we met? Verse: Proverbs 16:24 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW) 24 Pleasant words are like honey from a honeycomb—sweet to the spirit and healthy for the body. WHAT DO YOU LEARN ABOUT: God People Marriage Yourself






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What good things have happened in your life since we last met? Do you have any struggles or concerns in your life right now? How did you do with what you said you were going to change since last we met? Did you and your Spouse pray every day as you had planned last time we met? Verse: Proverbs 31:28-31 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW) 28 Her children and her husband stand up and bless her. In addition, he sings her praises, by saying, 29 ‘Many women have done noble work, but you have surpassed them all!’ 30

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty evaporates, but a woman who has the fear of the LORD should be praised. 31 Reward her for what she has done, and let her achievements praise her at the city gates.” WHAT DO YOU LEARN ABOUT: God People Marriage Yourself






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What good things have happened in your life since we last met? Do you have any struggles or concerns in your life right now? How did you do with what you said you were going to change since last we met? Did you and your Spouse pray every day as you had planned last time we met? Verse: Deuteronomy 24:5 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW) 5 A man who has recently been married will be free from military duty or any other public service. For one year he is free to stay at home and make his new wife happy. WHAT DO YOU LEARN ABOUT: God People Marriage Yourself






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What good things have happened in your life since we last met? Do you have any struggles or concerns in your life right now? How did you do with what you said you were going to change since last we met? Did you and your Spouse pray every day as you had planned last time we met? Verse: Proverbs 11:25 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW) 25 A generous person will be made rich, and whoever satisfies others will himself be satisfied. WHAT DO YOU LEARN ABOUT: God People Marriage Yourself






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What good things have happened in your life since we last met? Do you have any struggles or concerns in your life right now? How did you do with what you said you were going to change since last we met? Did you and your Spouse pray every day as you had planned last time we met? Verse: Galatians 5:13 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW) 13 You were indeed called to be free, brothers and sisters. Don’t turn this freedom into an excuse for your corrupt nature to express itself. Rather, serve each other through love. WHAT DO YOU LEARN ABOUT: God People Marriage Yourself






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What good things have happened in your life since we last met? Do you have any struggles or concerns in your life right now? How did you do with what you said you were going to change since last we met? Did you and your Spouse pray every day as you had planned last time we met? Verse: 1 Corinthians 7:3-4 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW) 3 Husbands and wives should satisfy each other’s sexual needs. 4 A wife doesn’t have authority over her own body, but her husband does. In the same way, a husband doesn’t have authority over his own body, but his wife does. WHAT DO YOU LEARN ABOUT: God People Marriage Yourself






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What good things have happened in your life since we last met? Do you have any struggles or concerns in your life right now? How did you do with what you said you were going to change since last we met? Did you and your Spouse pray every day as you had planned last time we met? Verse: Song of Solomon 1:2 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW) 2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth. Your expressions of love are better than wine, WHAT DO YOU LEARN ABOUT: God People Marriage Yourself






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What good things have happened in your life since we last met? Do you have any struggles or concerns in your life right now? How did you do with what you said you were going to change since last we met? Did you and your Spouse pray every day as you had planned last time we met? Verse: 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW) 13 I may speak in the languages of humans and of angels. But if I don’t have love, I am a loud gong or a clashing cymbal. 2 I may have the gift to speak what God has revealed, and I may understand all mysteries and have all knowledge. I may even have enough faith to move mountains. But if I don’t have love, I am nothing. 3 I may even give away all that I have and give up my body to be burned. But if I don’t have love, none of these things will help me. WHAT DO YOU LEARN ABOUT: God People Marriage Yourself






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