What’s Your Secret?
Part 4: Parenting I
Dave Crispin, Lead Pastor
February 25/26, 2012
1. Share with the group how your child/children would describe you as a parent. Share with the group what you would want them to say.
2. Share with the group about your own parents and how they raised you. How does this affect the kind of parent you want or try to be?
3. Read Ephesians 6:1-4, Psalm 127:3, and Proverbs 22:6.
4. What are some ways that we provoke or exasperate our children? Why do you think Paul was concerned about this?
5. Name some Biblical keys to raising children up in the way they should go.
6. Significance is achieved by hard work, security by obedience, and suitable relationships by wise choices. How is this message being lost in todays culture?
7. Which of the 8 Keys to Relational Bonding do you need to work on the most? (Unconditional love, Focused attention, Ongoing communication, Scheduled times, Eye contact, Meaningful touch, Fun together, Pray together)
8. Pray one for another.
Part 3: Marriage II
Dave Crispin, Lead Pastor
February 18/19, 2012
1. Share with the group someone you’ve known who has had a great marriage. Share what stuck out to you about the way that they interacted with each other.
2. Last week we learned about the Crazy Cycle – that without love, she reacts and that without respect, he reacts. Did anyone have success interrupting the Crazy Cycle this past week before it got out of control?
3. Read Ephesians 5:21-31. Do you think that Paul is saying that wives must think that their husbands are respectable before acting respectfully? Do you think that Paul is saying that wives must be loveable before he tells husbands to love them?
4. Read 1 Peter 3:1-7. Do you think that Peter is saying that wives must think that their husbands are worthy of submission before they submit? Do you think that Peter is saying that husbands must think that their wives are worthy of respect before they treat them with respect as the weaker partner and heirs with them?
5. What do you think it means to have unconditional love or respect for your spouse?
6. Wives, tell the group something that you respect about your husband.
7. Husbands, tell the group something that you love about your wife.
8. How does it honor God when we honor our spouse by being loving or respectful?
9. Pray one for another.
Part 2: Marriage I
Justin Crispin, Associate Pastor
February 11/12, 2012
1. Share with the group an argument that you've had with someone that began over something silly. Share with the group an argument that you've had that you can't remember what started it.
2. Read Ephesians 5:22-33.
3. In this passage Paul states that husbands are to "what" their wives as "who" loved the church. How can husbands apply this?
4. Paul goes on to say that wives should "what" their husbands. What does this mean?
5. In his sermon this weekend Pastor Justin told us that the most critical element in the life of a man is respect and that the most critical element in the life of a woman is love. Looking back on past arguments, can you see that you desired love or respect but did not know how to articulate that need?
6. The Big Idea is that each person's response is his/her own responsibility. How should this change how we handle disagreements with our spouse?
7. How can this group hold you accountable?
8. What is one thing that you can do this week to interrupt the Crazy Cycle before it gets out of control?
9. Pray for each other.
Part 1: Dating
Dave Crispin, Lead Pastor
February 4/5 2012
1. Re-read Ephesians 5:31 from this weekend’s message.
2. In your opinion, how has dating changed from five years ago? What about 10 or 15 years ago?
3. Think about some popular movies, TV shows, songs and websites. Based on what we are seeing and reading, what are some current rules in our culture regarding love, sex and dating? Which of them do you agree with? Which of them do you disagree with?
4. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: “There are no marriage problems…only single problems that got married”?
5. What is the “Right Person Myth”? Do you agree or disagree that it is a myth? How have you seen this way of thinking impact your relationships or the relationships of your friends?
6. Read 1 Corinthians 13:1-8. List each of the character qualities in this passage. Which of these qualities is the most difficult for you to exhibit?
7. Which of the qualities found in 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 do you value the most in someone you want to date or in your spouse?
8. Pray one for another.
