Topic of the Week

INTRODUCTION: It is great being able to learn from other people’s successes and failures especially when it comes to the task of honoring God in your marriage.  We are going to learn from some seasoned mentors in the following weeks.  Please prayerfully consider these married couples from the Bible.  Study them, discuss them, and learn from them.

Ahasuerus and Esther

1.  Read the following passage together.

Esther 5:3-8 And the king said to her, “What do you wish, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given to you—up to half the kingdom!” ⁴ So Esther answered, “If it pleases the king, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for him.” ⁵ Then the king said, “Bring Haman quickly, that he may do as Esther has said.” So the king and Haman went to the banquet that Esther had prepared. ⁶ At the banquet of wine the king said to Esther, “What is your petition? It shall be granted you. What is your request, up to half the kingdom? It shall be done!” ⁷ Then Esther answered and said, “My petition and request is this: ⁸ If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, then let the king and Haman come to the banquet which I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king has said.”

2. This passage is obviously talking about a conversation between a king and a queen in a very different culture but I think there is something to be said about the display of respect and grace in this conversation.  How do you see respect and grace being displayed in Esther 5:3-8?

3.  Do you talk to each other with respect and grace?

4.  Plan a date night where you intentionally treat one another like a king and queen the whole evening.  Have fun with it.

Conclusion:  We will be adding Ahasuerus and Esther to our ALFC lovescape as an example of a married couple that locked in their love and were faithful to their marital commitment.  Stop by the display in front of the church and remember the lessons learned from their lives.

INTRODUCTION: It is great being able to learn from other people’s successes and failures especially when it comes to the task of honoring God in your marriage.  We are going to learn from some seasoned mentors in the following weeks.  Please prayerfully consider these married couples from the Bible.  Study them, discuss them, and learn from them.

Joseph and Mary

1.  Read the following passage together.

Matthew 1:18-25 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹ Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. ²⁰ But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. ²¹ And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” ²² So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: ²³ “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” ²⁴ Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, ²⁵ and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.

2. The word describes Joseph as a just man who was trying to do the right thing when God revealed to him what the right thing was for him to do.  How concerned are you, as a couple, about doing the right thing?  Come up with some examples?

3.  What has God been teaching you lately about some of the things that concern you?

Conclusion:  We will be adding Joseph and Mary to our ALFC lovescape as an example of a married couple that locked in their love and were faithful to their marital commitment.  Stop by the display in front of the church and remember the lessons learned from their lives.

INTRODUCTION: It is great being able to learn from other people’s successes and failures especially when it comes to the task of honoring God in your marriage.  We are going to learn from some seasoned mentors in the following weeks.  Please prayerfully consider these married couples from the Bible.  Study them, discuss them, and learn from them.

Abraham & Sarah

1.  Read the following passage together.

Hebrews 11:8-12 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. ⁹ By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; ¹⁰ for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. ¹¹ By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. ¹² Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.

2. Discuss what faith means and looks like to you as a couple.

3.  What are some of the challenges that Abraham and Sarah faced as they lived out there faith according to Hebrews 11:8-12?

4.  What are some of the challenges in your marriage that need a response of faith?

Conclusion:  We will be adding Abraham and Sarah to our ALFC lovescape as an example of a married couple that locked in their love and were faithful to their marital commitment.  Stop by the display in front of the church and remember the lessons learned from their lives.

INTRODUCTION: It is great being able to learn from other people’s successes and failures especially when it comes to the task of honoring God in your marriage. We are going to learn from some seasoned mentors in the following weeks. Please prayerfully consider these married couples from the Bible. Study them, discuss them, and learn from them.

Boaz and Ruth, Ruth 4:13-17

1. Read the following passage together.

Ruth 4:13-17 So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And he went in to her, and the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son. 14 Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! 15 He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.” 16 Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap and became his nurse. 17 And the women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi.” They named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.

2. What legacy do you want to leave through your children or through the relationships you have?

3. Boaz and Ruth’s story speaks of redemption. In what ways has God brought redemption in your lives and marriage?

4. Pray to God together and thank him for redemption.

Conclusion: We will be adding Boaz and Ruth to our ALFC lovescape as an example of a married couple that locked in their love and were faithful to their marital commitment. Stop by the display in front of the church and remember the lessons learned from their lives.

INTRODUCTION: It is great being able to learn from other people’s successes and failures especially when it comes to the task of honoring God in your marriage. We are going to learn from some seasoned mentors in the following weeks. Please prayerfully consider these married couples from the Bible. Study them, discuss them, and learn from them.

Jacob and Rachel, Genesis 29:18-20

1. Read the following passage together.

Genesis 29:18-20 Jacob loved Rachel. And he said, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.” 19 Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to any other man; stay with me.” 20 So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her.

2. Jacob waited seven years for Rachel but they only seemed like a few days to him because of his love for her. There is something romantic about delayed gratification and patient anticipation. Express to your spouse what you would like to grow in but that you need patience from him/her as you grow.

3. We live in a culture that is all about getting things quickly. Set some seven year goals with your spouse. What would you like to see in your marriage or family in seven years?

4. What steps are you going to start taking in order to pursue those goals?

Conclusion: We will be adding Jacob and Rachel to our ALFC lovescape as an example of a married couple that locked in their love and were faithful to their marital commitment. Stop by the display in front of the church and remember the lessons learned from their lives.

INTRODUCTION: It is great being able to learn from other people’s successes and failures especially when it comes to the task of honoring God in your marriage.  We are going to learn from some seasoned mentors in the following weeks.  Please prayerfully consider these married couples from the Bible.  Study them, discuss them, and learn from them.

Adam and Eve, Genesis 2:18-24  

1. Read the following passage together.

Genesis 2:18-24 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.” 19 So the Lord God formed from the ground all the wild animals and all the birds of the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would call them, and the man chose a name for each one. 20 He gave names to all the livestock, all the birds of the sky, and all the wild animals. But still there was no helper just right for him.21 So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep. While the man slept, the Lord God took out one of the man’s ribs and closed up the opening. 22 Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib, and he brought her to the man.23 “At last!” the man exclaimed. “This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh! She will be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken from ‘man.’” 24 This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.

2. God designed and a man and a woman to come together and be united in a covenant relationship called marriage.  In what ways do you feel united in your marriage?

3.  Are there some things that you can do to improve on the unity in your marriage?

4. Pray together that God would unify your marriage as He designed it to be unified.

INTRODUCTION: It is great being able to learn from other people’s successes and failures especially when it comes to the task of honoring God in your marriage. We are going to learn from some seasoned mentors in the following weeks. Please prayerfully consider these married couples from the Bible. Study them, discuss them, and learn from them.

Zechariah & Elizabeth, Luke 1:5-14
1. Read the following passage together.
Luke 1:5-14 When Herod was king of Judea, there was a Jewish priest named Zechariah. He was a member of the priestly order of Abijah, and his wife, Elizabeth, was also from the priestly line of Aaron. 6 Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations. 7 They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old.
8 One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week. 9 As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. 10 While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying.
11 While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar. 12 Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him. 13 But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John. 14 You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth

2. Zechariah and Elizabeth were faithful and prayerful. It has been said that a couple that prays together stays together. Make a list of things that you will pray about together as a couple.

3. They remained faithful to each other and to the Lord even though their circumstance were getting increasingly difficult. They longed for a child and yet they were getting older and less likely to be able to get pregnant. What have you been waiting on for a long time but are still waiting for a miracle?

Conclusion: We will be adding Zechariah and Elizabeth to our ALFC lovescape as an example of a married couple that locked in their love and were faithful to their marital commitment. Stop by the display in front of the church and remember the lessons learned from their lives.

INTRODUCTION: It is great being able to learn from other people’s successes and failures especially when it comes to the task of honoring God in your marriage. We are going to learn from some seasoned mentors in the following weeks. Please prayerfully consider these married couples from the Bible. Study them, discuss them, and learn from them.

Aquila & Priscilla, Acts 18:1-3,25-28

1. Read the following passage together.

Acts 18:1-3,25-28 Then Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 There he became acquainted with a Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently arrived from Italy with his wife, Priscilla. They had left Italy when Claudius Caesar deported all Jews from Rome. 3 Paul lived and worked with them, for they were tentmakers just as he was… Meanwhile, a Jew named Apollos, an eloquent speaker who knew the Scriptures well, had arrived in Ephesus from Alexandria in Egypt. 25 He had been taught the way of the Lord, and he taught others about Jesus with an enthusiastic spirit and with accuracy. However, he knew only about John’s baptism. 26 When Priscilla and Aquila heard him preaching boldly in the synagogue, they took him aside and explained the way of God even more accurately.27 Apollos had been thinking about going to Achaia, and the brothers and sisters in Ephesus encouraged him to go. They wrote to the believers in Achaia, asking them to welcome him. When he arrived there, he proved to be of great benefit to those who, by God’s grace, had believed. 28 He refuted the Jews with powerful arguments in public debate. Using the Scriptures, he explained to them that Jesus was the Messiah.

2. Aquila and Pricilla received Paul and ministered to him by providing him a place to live and work. Then they shared their lives with Apollos. They functioned in ministry together and served others. How do you as a married couple function in ministry together?

3. Aquila and Priscilla learned the Word of God and then they carried out the responsibility to teach what they learned. How are you doing as a couple in learning the Word of God and sharing it with others?

Conclusion: We will be adding Aquila and Priscilla to our ALFC lovescape as an example of a married couple that locked in their love and were faithful to their marital commitment. Stop by the display in front of the church and remember the lessons learned from their lives.

INTRODUCTION: It is great being able to learn from other people’s successes and failures especially when it comes to the task of honoring God in your marriage. We are going to learn from some seasoned mentors in the following weeks. Please prayerfully consider these married couples from the Bible. Study them, discuss them, and learn from them.

Elkanah and Hannah, 1 Samuel 1:1-28

1. Read 1 Samuel 1:1-28 together.
2. What was the problem that Elkanah and Hannah were having in their marriage?
3. What did they do about that problem? What did they do right and what did they do wrong?
4. Discuss how you might change the way you handle your problems in your marriage based upon the story of Elkanah and Hannah.

Conclusion: We will be adding Elkanah and Hannah to our ALFC lovescape as an example of a married couple that locked in their love and were faithful to their marital commitment. Stop by the display in front of the church and be reminded of the lessons learned from their lives.

INTRODUCTION: In the next week you will continue to have the opportunity to invest in your marriage in a powerful and practical way that will lead to a Locking in Your Love Ceremony on May 18, 2012.

• Read and review together the final 5 statements of marital commitment below.

Statements 21-25 of Marital Commitment:

We will commit to ourselves to the following statements in our marriage. We will…

21. give our heart and trust to each other

22. take care of ourselves for each other

23. care for each other as modeled for us by the Lord

24. not use the threat of divorce against each other

25. obey the Lord individually and follow His will in our lives

• Take turns evaluating your marriage based on the marital commitment statements above by considering which statements you would identify as strengths for you as a couple and which statements are potential growth areas.
• Brainstorm creative ways to strengthen the growth areas you have identified as a couple.
• Journal your thoughts

ASSIGNMENT: Your goal this week is to get ready for Friday night. Strive to avoid marital conflict. Stay away from hot topics that push each other’s buttons. Sleep right, eat right, and take care of yourselves so that you will be 100% during this special time. Spend extra time in devotions and prayer this week and be ready for God to speak to you. God cares deeply about your marriage. Also, take a moment to review all the previous statements of marital commitment that you have already covered. Finally, plan to show up early on Friday. Start time is 5:30pm.

VISUALIZING THE CEREMONY: This Friday night will include an opportunity after the ceremony is completed to go with a large group of church family to the Rodeo Drive-in theater to celebrate. We would love for everyone to go. This will be a great night for the whole family. Pack your vehicles and get your kids ready. You will be able to change at the church before heading to the Drive-in Theater if you would like.

INTRODUCTION: In the next 2 weeks you will have the opportunity to continue to invest in your marriage in a powerful and practical way that will lead to a Locking in Your Love Ceremony on May 18, 2012.

• Read and review together the statements of marital commitment below.

Statements 15-20 of Marital Commitment:

We will commit to ourselves to the following statements in our marriage. We will…

15. work together as a team

16. maintain a weekly marriage appointment in order to communicate

17. do something fun together at least once a month

18. pray together on a regular basis

19. have devotions together at least once a week

20. protect each other

• Take turns evaluating your marriage based on the marital commitment statements above by considering which statements you would identify as strengths for you as a couple and which statements are potential growth areas.
• Brainstorm creative ways to strengthen the growth areas you have identified as a couple.
• Journal your thoughts

ASSIGNMENT: Your goal this week is to do something as a team. Cook a meal together, or put the kids to bed together, or go the gym and encourage each other as you work out together, or paint a picture together, or write a song together, or something else creative and fun.

VISUALIZING THE CEREMONY: One of the things that will happen is that you and your spouse will have the opportunity to be prayed for by a pastor and to pray together as a couple. A couple that prays together stays together. Prayer is an essential element in life. The Bible instructs us to pray without ceasing. Talk with God about your spouse and your marriage. Also, listen to Him as you read the Bible and experience His presence and hear what He has to say to you.

INTRODUCTION: In the next 3 weeks you will have the opportunity to continue to invest in your marriage in a powerful and practical way that will lead to a Locking in Your Love Ceremony on May 18, 2012.

• Read and review together the statements of marital commitment below.

Statements 8-14 of Marital Commitment:

We will commit to ourselves to the following statements in our marriage. We will…

8. maintain physical, emotional, and spiritual intimacy with each other

9. quickly forgive each other and not hold offenses against each other

10. love each other as 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 teaches us. Look up 1 Cor. 13:4-8 and read it together.

11. remain open and honest

12. create a safe marital environment

13. ask for help when we are unable to solve our marital issues

14. fight fair with each other

• Take turns evaluating your marriage based on the marital commitment statements above by considering which statements you would identify as strengths for you as a couple and which statements are potential growth areas.
• Brainstorm creative ways to strengthen the growth areas you have identified as a couple.
• Journal your thoughts

ASSIGNMENT: Your goal this week is to go and get at least one new thing for you to wear during the ceremony on May 18. Let the ceremony be the first time you wear your new item. (Examples: A dress, slacks, shoes, jewelry, socks, something).

VISUALIZING THE CEREMONY: One of the things that will happen is that you and your spouse will have the opportunity to get your picture taken on this special occasion. This picture can be a great memory for what God has done in your marriage.

INTRODUCTION: In the next 4 weeks you will have the opportunity to invest in your marriage in a powerful and practical way that will lead to a Locking in Your Love Ceremony on May 18, 2012. Each week’s Marriage Appointment topic will lead you as a couple to a moment of refreshing and recommitment as you consider the statements of marital commitment together.

• Read and review together the statements of marital commitment below.

Statements 1-7 of Marital Commitment:

We will commit to ourselves to the following statements in our marriage. We will…

1. remain faithful to our marital promises

2. love the Lord with all our heart, mind, soul and strength

3. obey and submit our lives to the Lord and His word for us

4. build our marriage based on a biblical foundation

5. commit ourselves to attending a marriage conference once a year

6. respect each other

7. be friends and work on our friendship

• Take turns evaluating your marriage based on the marital commitment statements above by considering which statements you would identify as strengths for you as a couple and which statements are potential growth areas.
• Brainstorm creative ways to strengthen the growth areas you have identified as a couple.

ASSIGNMENT: Your goal this week is to go on a date to the local hardware store or any store that sells padlocks with keys. Find one you both like that has room for engraving your names and the date. Purchase the padlock and turn it into Pastor Jason or Glory Sindall for engraving. Also notify Pastor Jason at pastorjason@alfc.us or Glory Sindall at glory@alfc.us that you would like to be a part of the ceremony on May 18.

VISUALIZING THE CEREMONY: Each week you will be given a brief explanation of a piece of the ceremony so that you can prepare yourself for this special time. One of the things that will happen is that you and your spouse will have the opportunity to lock your padlock on the ALFC lovescape found at the front of the church. Then you will throw away the key symbolizing your lifelong commitment. Each time you come to church or pass by the building you will be reminded of how God has blessed you with a marriage that is locked in.

1. Take turns evaluating your own behavioral health based on the things to consider below.

Behavioral: On a scale of 1-10 where would you rank your behavioral health and why?

1————————————————————————————————-10

Some of the things to consider:

• Are you serving others on a consistent basis?
• Is there any addictive behavior that is overshadowing the importance of God in your life?
• Are your behaviors towards others Christ-like?

2. Share with each other where you ranked yourself and why you ranked yourself at that place.

3. Do you agree with each other’s self evaluations or do you have some valuable input for your spouse?

4. Take time to pray together about your behavioral health.

1. Take turns evaluating your own physical health based on the things to consider below.

Physical:On a scale of 1-10 where would you rank your physical health and why?

1—————————————————————————————10

Some of the things to consider:

• Are you eating in a healthy way?
• Are you getting adequate exercise?
• Are you sleeping enough?

2. Share with each other where you ranked yourself and why you ranked yourself at that place.

3. Do you agree with each other’s self evaluations or do you have some valuable input for your spouse?

4. Take time to pray together about your physical health.