Lesson Six: Press On to a Stronger Marriage
Over the past 35 years, I have had the incredible privilege to perform over 350 wedding ceremonies. They normally all start the same way, the groom is escorted in by his groomsman, standing in front, nervous, shaking, and sweating profusely. The doors open and the radiant bride with her father starts walking down the aisle, running in some cases. No matter how many times I have done this, this is usually when I start to tear up. The bride and groom walk up the steps and stand in front of me as individuals, but in a few minutes, a miracle is going to take place. God is going to take two individuals and make them one. I don’t do that, the church does not do that, but God in his sovereignty and power takes two individuals and makes them a new entity. In divine mathematics, one plus one equals ONE. With the wedding finished they walk, run, dance down the aisle, and off to the reception to celebrate what God has done. They may not want to hear it, but the work is just getting started. In this lesson, we are going to talk about how one goes about building a marriage to last.
Warm-Up Question:
If married, describe for the group the first date with your wife or how you got engaged
If not married, share with the group the best date you have ever been on.
Bible Study
If one goes to Barnes & Noble to find a book on marriage, you will probably find a couple of hundred books, most of them will have some very helpful things to say. However, I want to suggest to you the best book written on marriage is the Bible. It is absolutely packed with incredible passages that provide practical instruction in how to live out our marriages. Today, you are doing to look at one of my all-time favorite passages to speak from at a wedding ceremony, Colossians 3:12-17.
Have someone read Colossians 3:12-17
Discussion Questions
What do you learn about God from this passage?
Verse 12, speaks to having our identity in Christ, how does this affect our marriage?
Verses 12-14 are often referred to as the ‘Garments of Grace.’ Discuss how one continues to grow in these various character qualities and the relationship they have to a strong marriage.
What other practical tools to grow your marriage are found in this passage?
Men, you’ll never be a good groom to your wife unless you’re first a good bride to Jesus. —Tim Keller
Talk by Efrim Smith
Listen to the talk by Efrim Smith entitled, “Marriage: Built to Last” given at the 2022 No Regrets Men’s Conference. It can be found on the No Regrets app under Conference Media/2022 Platform talks.
Pastor Efrem Smith is an internationally recognized leader who uses motivational speaking and preaching to equip people for a life of transformation. Pastor Smith is the former president and CEO of World Impact, an urban mission, church planting, and leadership development organization. He is the current co-lead Pastor of Bayside Church, Midtown in Sacramento, California. He’s the author of several books, including his latest, “Killing Us Softly.” Pastor Smith is a graduate of Saint John’s University and Luther Theological Seminary. He received an honorary doctor of ministry degree from Ashland Theological Seminary.
Pastor Smith is married to Donecia and has two daughters. Pastor Smith is excited to be a part of all that God is doing in and through Bayside.
Notes:
Discussion Questions
Why are long lasting marriages so rare in our society today?
Have someone in the group read 1 John 3:1-10.
What does it mean to surrender to God’s love and how does that affect our marriages?
Share with the group one positive and one negative thing you learned from your father’s example in his relationship with your mother?
In what ways can you love your wife as our Heavenly Father loves us?
How can our marriages be a reflection to the world of God’s love? What must you work on as a couple to do that?
Each man share one application from the study today.
Sharing and Prayer Time
Each man share with the group what they think they can do to more fully love their wife in the coming week.
Pray over what was shared to close your time.
Assignment for Next Week
For next week you will be listening to the talk given by Steve Carter at the 2022 No Regrets Men’s conference. The talk was entitled: “Just Say Yes ‘’ and can be found on the No Regrets App under conference media, 2022 Platform speakers. There is a place for notes in Lesson Seven.
*The app will not necessarily save your fill-in notes. Please click on email and email the lesson with your notes to yourself.
Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word. —Ephesians 5:24-25
