Love for a Lifetime #1 - Face to Face
Matthew 19
Dr. Kurt Bjorklund
Part of Love for a Lifetime—March 4 - 26, 2023
March 3, 2023

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Group Study Guide

Date: March 4-5, 2023
Speaker: Dr. Kurt Bjorklund
Series: Love for a Lifetime
Message: #1 - Posture One

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Scripture

4 “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? —Matthew 19:4-5 (NIV)

11 Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near. —Luke 10:11 (NIV)

15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. —Luke 15:15 (NIV)

13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. —Acts 5:13 (NIV)

16 Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh. —1 Corinthians 6:16 (NIV)

Notes

Matthew 19 - 4 Postures

  • “Be United” - NIV
  • “Hold Fast” - ESV
  • “Joined” - CSB/NASB20
  • “Cleave” - KJV

Greek Word: Kollaó - glue, weld together, adhere, attach oneself

Posture #1 - Face to Face

  1. Attraction
  2. Pursuit
  3. Time

Study Guide

Step One: Open
Read Matthew 19:5 and pray to open your time together in God’s word.

Step Two: Icebreaker (Optional)
Which member of your family has had the longest lifespan, and what do you attribute to their longevity?

Step Three: Discuss

  1. What stood out to you the most in this weekend’s teaching? What was challenging, encouraging, or confusing to you?

  2. What does a healthy romantic attachment look like? What does unhealthy romantic attachment look like?

  3. The Greek word for “united” in Matthew 19:5 is used several other times in the New Testament. Read 1 Corinthians 6:16-17, Ephesians 5:31-32, Philippians 2:1-2 and Colossians 2:2. Discuss what is learned from how this word is used.

  4. Kurt said that the word “united” points to a posture of voluntary attachment. He used a formula of attraction + pursuit over time. Which of these three is most challenging for you?

  5. What can someone who no longer finds himself or herself attracted to their spouse do?

  6. How is the knowledge that Jesus is our ultimate spouse helpful in finding love for a lifetime?

  7. What applications do you see for single people? Married people?

Step Four: Close in Prayer