- Why do you think money is mentioned so many times (more than 800!) in the Bible?
- Saver vs. spender, which one are you and which one is your spouse?
- What is keeping you from saving or what motivates you to save?
- What are your thoughts concerning a budget? What stops you from making/sticking to a budget, or what motivates you to keep a budget?
- What are some goals with money that you have for your family?
Going Through Hard Times As A Family
Jeremiah 17:7-8
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in him.
8 They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.”
“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
“My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” (Mark 14:34, NIV) Jesus experienced sorrow “to the point of death.”
Hard times can either distance us or bring us closer
We need both the winds of hardship and winds of relief to sweep across our lives if we are to be truly fruitful.
Unity and supporting each other, lean on each other, one team
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Importance of Having a Strong Support System and Being a support system
Growing Stronger as an individual and as a family
understanding God’s will
Romans 8:28 Consequences of our actions vs. something that happened through no fault of our own
When it’s a consequence of our own actions, we blame ourselves or others, when it’s something that happened by nature, we tend to blame God
Fallen world – Job (sin and nature)
“In this world you will have trouble, but have heart for I have overcome the world.”
Being a believer in God does not insure us from hard times
Hard times can either distance us or bring us closer
Unity and supporting each other, lean on each other, one team
When you’re going through hard times in life, what questions do you tend to have towards God?
What are some difficult things that you’ve had to experience in life?
What are some things that you learned while going through hard times?
Who/what was most helpful during hard times?
https://acoupleonpurpose.wordpress.com/2012/10/23/what-not-to-say/
Going Through Hard Times As A Family – Couple Connection
1. Read Romans 8:37-39
What comfort can you find in knowing that God will protect and guide you during difficult times and that nothing can separate us from his love?
2. Read 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
What assurance can you find in these verses of Scripture when you are feeling as discouraged?
3. What are some difficult things that you’ve had to experience in life?
4. What are some things that you learned while going through hard times?
5. Who/what was most helpful during hard times?
6. When you’re going through hard times in life, what questions do you tend to have towards God?
One Marriage, Two Personalities – Group Discussion
“When we’re willing to put forth effort to understand our mates and help our mates understand us, this softens our hearts and opens the door to intimacy.” Rick Johnson, Becoming Your Spouse’s Better Half
Which personality types are you?
Primary vs. Secondary
Briefly go over each personality, possibly show a quick video clip.
Strengths and weaknesses.
Personalities in the Bible. Talk about spirituality for each personality.
Emotional needs of each personality.
As we learn to appreciate each other’s strengths, we can complement each other beautifully and become a dynamic team.
One Marriage, Two Personalities – Couple Connection
- Complete the personality profile test that we included as a file in the email. You will each complete one for each other.
- Which personality type are each of you? What is your primary personality and which is your secondary personality?
- What types of personality traits does your spouse have that benefits your marriage and family?
- What are some conflicts that you have had because of your personality differences or similarities?
- What are some weaknesses that you each have to be aware of?
- List 5 things that you admire about your spouse’s personality.
