Group Discussion Guide
Family by Design, Part 2
This guide is designed to help your group create a space for genuine connection and conversation within your discussion time. Don't feel pressured to address every question each week. Instead, allow the Holy Spirit to guide you as you lead your group in uncovering what God intends to communicate during your time together.
This guide comprises three sections: Loving, Learning, and Living. Each section aims to steer your conversation towards meaningful discussions about spiritual growth as individuals and as members of the body of Christ.
This guide comprises three sections: Loving, Learning, and Living. Each section aims to steer your conversation towards meaningful discussions about spiritual growth as individuals and as members of the body of Christ.
LOVING
First moments together as a group to connect and pray (approx. 10-15 min).
Open with prayer and invite God to be part of your conversation and relationship.
- How have you seen God at work in your life since the last time we met?
- What has been one high and one low since the last time we met?
- How did you do with living out what we talked about last time we met?
Open with prayer and invite God to be part of your conversation and relationship.
LEARNING
The majority of the group discussion is devoted to open dialogue, reflecting on God’s Word and its personal application to each of our lives (approx. 60-75 min).
Scripture References from Message: Genesis 2:15-25, Matthew 19:1-10
Big Idea from Message: God’s design of marriage paints a picture of His sacrificial love.
What does God’s design of men and women to live together in marriage say about God’s plan for caring for the rest of his good creation?
How does God’s design for marriage reflect God’s love for and good desires for humanity?
In Matthew 19, Jesus says that Moses, not God, made an allowance for divorce because of the “hardness” of the hearts of God’s people. Why do you think it is important that Jesus noted that it was Moses and not God that deviated from God’s initial design?
Read Ephesians 5:21-33. Notice that this section, called a Household Code (common in the Greco/Roman world) begins with calling both men and women to “submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Why is it important that Paul begins this new section of the letter in this way?
The inner life of the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) is classically characterized by the term “mutual glad submission.” Each person of the Trinity gladly and willingly working in, with, and for the good and loving desires of the other(s). Because humanity is made in the image of God, we are designed to share in this way of being. With this in mind, what kind of marriage relationship do you think Paul has in mind in this text, especially when he uses words like submission, sacrifice, love, and respect?
Scripture References from Message: Genesis 2:15-25, Matthew 19:1-10
Big Idea from Message: God’s design of marriage paints a picture of His sacrificial love.
What does God’s design of men and women to live together in marriage say about God’s plan for caring for the rest of his good creation?
How does God’s design for marriage reflect God’s love for and good desires for humanity?
In Matthew 19, Jesus says that Moses, not God, made an allowance for divorce because of the “hardness” of the hearts of God’s people. Why do you think it is important that Jesus noted that it was Moses and not God that deviated from God’s initial design?
Read Ephesians 5:21-33. Notice that this section, called a Household Code (common in the Greco/Roman world) begins with calling both men and women to “submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Why is it important that Paul begins this new section of the letter in this way?
The inner life of the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) is classically characterized by the term “mutual glad submission.” Each person of the Trinity gladly and willingly working in, with, and for the good and loving desires of the other(s). Because humanity is made in the image of God, we are designed to share in this way of being. With this in mind, what kind of marriage relationship do you think Paul has in mind in this text, especially when he uses words like submission, sacrifice, love, and respect?
LIVING
The challenge for the week ahead is to grow in our faith and lovingly hold each other accountable through the community.
This week, look back at Tyler’s “firsts” from the end of his message: First to Serve, First to Apologize, First to Forgive, and First to Try Again. Which one do you have the hardest time with? Which one are you the most likely to do naturally? Whatever your relationship status, find ways to practice these firsts in the relationships that matter most in your life (friends, family, kids, spouse, colleagues, etc). And remember, we can’t do these things because we try harder of just figure it out, but because the new life we have in Jesus gives us the ability to live differently in a world that encourage people to always put themselves first in every relationship.
This week, look back at Tyler’s “firsts” from the end of his message: First to Serve, First to Apologize, First to Forgive, and First to Try Again. Which one do you have the hardest time with? Which one are you the most likely to do naturally? Whatever your relationship status, find ways to practice these firsts in the relationships that matter most in your life (friends, family, kids, spouse, colleagues, etc). And remember, we can’t do these things because we try harder of just figure it out, but because the new life we have in Jesus gives us the ability to live differently in a world that encourage people to always put themselves first in every relationship.