SESSION 1 Total Time: 60 minutes Video = 25 minutes Discussion = 35 minutes
1. Roots of a Good Marriage
“Romance is never the cause of a good marriage; romance is always the result of a good marriage.”
OPENING DISCUSSION: Consider and discuss the following BEFORE watching Session 1: 1. What were your expectations prior to getting married? (Engaged or Singles - what are your future expectations for marriage?) 2. What is dangerous about unrealistic expectations (in general, not just about marriage)? Luke 6:43-45 43 For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, 44 for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. 45 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. SCRIPTURE PASSAGE KEY IDEAS: 1. Your life and marriage is not made up of big moments, but of small, mundane moments. 2. A marriage of unity, understanding, and love is rooted in worship, not romance. 3. Worship is first your identity before it is ever your activity. 4. Your words and behaviors are shaped by what is inside of you more than what is outside. 5. The heart is the causal core of your personhood.
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OPENING DISCUSSION: These responses will result from personal experience, which can vary dramatically depending on the participants in the room. It’s important, especially in the first session, to set a standard for participation. You want to encourage all answers, regardless of how “right” they are. Over time, this material will reveal the “right” answers to participants, and if you, as the leader, shoot down answers (or allow other participants to shoot down answers), an environment of timidity might result. Always affirm others and encourage participation. Avoid answering questions yourself, but share from your own life experiences and foster an environment of transparency, humility, and honesty from the beginning. If you have singles, engaged, divorced, or widowed in the group, be sure to extend the questions to their specific story; everyone has something they can contribute.
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