I DO! I DON’T! I WILL! I WON’T

“How Do We Find the One?”

Pastor Duane Cross | 04.28.2013

“Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church...” Ephesians 5:25 (Message)

“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore, what God has joined together, let man not separate.” Matthew 19:5-6

To really be fulfilled in life, you have to find the ONE.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:37-39

“Do not worship any other god, for the Lord whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” Exodus 34:14

“ You must worship no other gods but only the Lord, for he is god who is passionate.” Exodus 34:14 (NLT)

GOING DEEPER QUESTIONS

These questions are designed to help you go deeper with the sermon during your week-to take a closer look at the Scripture and find fresh ways to live out the main points of the sermon. Going Deeper questions also are used for discussion in all of our Grow Groups at Hope.

Scripture Reading

Ephesians 5:21-33; Matt. 19:5-6; Matt. 22:37-39

Getting Started

What insight or principle from this weekend’s message did you find helpful, interesting or challenging? Explain.

What is your most significant human relationship?

What makes a great relationship meaningful?

Marriage is becoming less popular by the day. Why do you think this is the case? Is there anything that can reverse the trend?

In what ways do movies and weddings overly romanticize and idealize marriage? How does this underestimate the effects of sin and our need for God?

A Closer Look

Read Ephesians 5:21-33

• What is the overarching truth in this passage?

• How does 5:21 govern everything Paul says about marriage?

• How does Paul describe marriage to the Ephesian church? Why is living this way so difficult for so many people?

• What does Ephesians 5:32 mean to you? How is marriage a picture of the relationship between Christ and his redeemed people? What are the implications?

Read Matthew 19:5-6

• What does it mean to become one flesh?

• According to Pastor Duane, who is the ONE? Who is the TWO?

Digging Deeper

In what way does the gospel and God’s love empower us to forgive our spouses? How does the gospel enable us to see our spouses like God sees them? What does this kind of transforming love do to Christ-centered marriages? (Col. 3:13)

How can Jesus be part of your marriage this week?

How do you keep Jesus “the one” in your life? What are hindrances that derail your relationship with Him?