3. Read aloud Romans 6:1-11 . By God’s grace in our conversion, we are spiritually—that is, very really —united with Christ in his death and resurrection. What does Paul say is the reason for our being crucified with Christ regarding sin’s power over us? (See vv4,6 .) And what is the result of our dying with Christ? (See v7,11 .) 4. Now read aloud the next verses in the passage, vv12-14 . If we have been freed from sin’s control, why would Paul need to exhort us as he does here? Sin no longer has power over us, but are we perfectly holy so as to be immune to its temptation ? Read aloud Romans 6:20-23 , 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 , Philippians 2:12-13 . These passages describe the Spirit’s progressive work of sanctification —to “sanctify” is to make holy. What does the fact that sanctification is not an event (as is conversion) but a process , tell us about lingering selfishness in our hearts? Will you need to deal with damaging selfishness in the future of your marriage? 5. “Sin causes us to shrink our lives down to the size of our lives.” Discuss briefly what Tripp means when he says this. Describe some specific recent instances when you have discouraged or hurt your spouse by your shrunken life. 6. “Sin will cause you to dehumanize that other person in your marriage.” Talk about specific situations in which you have, inadvertently or intentionally, looked upon and used your partner to achieve your own fulfillment. What are some specific, practical ways by which you can develop the habit of looking upon and using yourself to achieve your spouse’s success and fulfillment? 7. “Life will never be about you because you’ve been born into a world that, by its very nature, is a celebration of Another.” Ptolemy said the earth is the center of the universe ( geocentric ), and Copernicus said the sun is the center ( heliocentric ). But what—or Who —is really the center of the universe? (Hint: theocentric .) Who is the center of your universe? Who should be the center? Who should be the center of your marriage ? And who should be in the orbit closest that center—you, or your spouse? Which orbit should you occupy? How did you score on this theo-astronomy pop quiz? 8. Now compete in a brief contest: which of you has nitpicked your loved one over the pettiest matter? Feel free to enter more than one candidate. What are some specific, practical ways that you can remind yourself of the damage you do by such pettiness, toward the goal of breaking yourself of the habit?
Session 3
WHAT DID YOU EXPECT?
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