It's Complicated
Marriage is Complicated
People are complicated. Which is why, more often than not, our greatest stress in life comes from relationships with spouses, kids, family, and co-workers. In this series, we’ll look into God’s wisdom for how to relate with others in a way that brings peace, joy, and fulfillment.
Links
Series
Speakers
Marcus Avalos
Lead Pastor
Marriage is Complicated Falling in Love is Easy; Staying in Love is Work
JUNO MOVIE - “I guess I wonder sometimes if people ever stay together for good . . . like people in love. Dad, I just need to know that it’s possible for two people to stay happy together forever.”
PRINCIPLES TO STAY IN LOVE It takes 30 minutes to perform a wedding; It takes 30 years to make a marriage.
- You Marry a PERSON, not MARRIAGE.
- Cheat on your WORK not your FAMILY.
- Put HER before ME, especially after THREE.
Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her . . .
• You STAY IN LOVE by BEHAVING like your STILL IN LOVE
KEY TO STAYING IN LOVE: John 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
Ephesians 5:21, 25 21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. • “Submit” means to place oneself under the authority of another, to subordinate oneself. • Another way of saying, “Love unconditionally.” “Putting them FIRST”
MAKING LOVE (pause)…a VERB - It’s not finding the right person. It’s finding someone who is not afraid to put you first while you overcome your fear of putting him/her first.
APPLICATION:
- What’s UNIQUE to you than no one else can do?
- What’s the “Rock” you’re asking your family to hold on to?
- What’s ONE way I can make love a VERB this week? (towards my spouse, my kids, a friend)
- Have you ever asked a question similar to Juno? How do you answer that today?
JUNO’S QUESTION: “Is it possible for two people to stay happy together forever.?"
- We usually adopt what has been modeled growing up. Which one of these models do you identify with more?
● Do unto others as they deserve to be done unto. ● Do unto others as they do unto you. ● Do unto others as your mood would have it. ● Do unto others to get them to see things your way. ● Do unto others until you wear them down & get your way. ● Do unto others until you’re ready to leave.
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Out of the three principles Pastor Marcus and Natalie learned, what spoke to you the most?
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You Marry a PERSON, not MARRIAGE.
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Cheat on your WORK not your FAMILY.
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Put HER before ME, especially after THREE.
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Jesus gave us the key to having a Enduring Relationship in Johns gospel.
THE KEY TO STAYING IN LOVE: ● MAKING LOVE …a VERB
John 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
Ephesians 5:21, 25 21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
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Describe some ways you can make Love a Verb practically in your home? with your spouse with your children?
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Comment on the following statements:
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" It’s not finding the right person. It’s finding someone who is not afraid to put you first while you overcome your fear of putting him/her first."
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"You STAY IN LOVE by BEHAVING like your STILL IN LOVE"
Read these scriptures. Which one speaks to you the most and why?
- 1 Cor. 13:1-13
- Col. 3:1-2, 12-15
- Prov 3:3-4
- Romans 12:10
- What did you "take home" from the message?