The family is foundational and vital — and it has taken a hit in 2020. In this sermon series, Pastor Brian takes us back to the basics with what the Bible says about family. We pray this will be an encouragement to you as you seek to honor God in your own home and impact the families around you with Jesus' love.
2.14.2021
"Who Are You Working For?"
Who Are You Working For?
Sunday Discussion Series – “Family First”
Colossians 3:18-25 - 2.14.2021 - East Bay Calvary
Review:
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Wives, yield to (respect) your husbands. (v. 18)
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Husbands, love your wives and don’t be harsh. (v. 19) (Be considerate and honoring)
Working for God turns the menial into meaningful. (v. 23-24)
Two statements that reveal we are working for God:
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All of my life has divine purpose.
2. My ethic and attitude reveal the reality of my heart.
Question #1 - What does it look like to do things for God?
Question #2 - How do I position my life to work for God?
S M A L L G R O U P D I S C U S S I O N
Question #1 – Read verses 23-24. What does it look like to do things for God and not for man? How does “heartily” or “with all your heart” come into play?
Question #2 – Why do we often do things for man instead of God? How will you know you are doing things for man and not for God? Can you think of any specific examples when this was true of you in any of your relationships?
Question #3 – Discuss the reward and the punishment revealed in verses 24-25. How do they affect our lives, our attitudes and our decisions?
Question #4 – How do I position my life to work unconditionally for God and not work conditionally for man? What must I practically do to stay on track?
2.7.2021
"My Wife Is So..."
My Wife is So…
Sunday Discussion Series – “Family First”
1 Peter 3:1-6 - 2.7.2021 - East Bay Calvary
Two phrases God wants husbands to be able to say about their wives…
1. My wife is so respectful. (v. 1-2) (submissive, supportive, esteeming)
2. My wife is so tender. (v. 4) (kind, soft, beautiful, balanced, trusting, gracious - humble)
“gentle” – This means meek – mild – humble. A tender dealing with matters.
“quiet” – This word carries the idea of exhibiting self-control when you feel like losing it. Being peaceable.
Proverbs 21:9 “Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.”
Two keys to respect and tenderness…
a) Hope in God (v. 5)
b) Don’t give way to fear (v. 6)
Why communicate respect and tenderness?
1 Peter 2:21-24 “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.”
Wives, be Jesus to your husbands!
S M A L L G R O U P D I S C U S S I O N
Question #1 – Read 1 Peter 3:1-6. What sticks out to you? Are there questions you have about anything in the verses? What words or concepts may be tougher to understand?
Question #2 – Let’s get very practical … how can a wife show respect for her husband? How can a wife show tenderness toward her husband? Discuss the influence of this has on the husband … both positive or negative.
Question #3 – Two keys for the wife to respect and be tender is to 1. Hope in God (v. 5) and 2. Don’t give way to fear (v. 6). Who else could wives hope in? How can they practically hope in God?
Question #4 – Read 1 Peter 2:21-24. This is the passage referenced in 3:1 when the text says “likewise” or “in the same way.” How should the life of Jesus and the values of the Gospel impact a wife’s attitudes and behavior to her husband? Finish with prayer for the marriages and families in your group.
1.31.2021
"My Husband Is So..."
My Husband Is So…
Sunday Discussion Series – “Family First”
1 Peter 3:7 - 1.31.2021 - East Bay Calvary
Love is a personal commitment to better another.
Two statements God wants wives to be able to say …
1. "My husband is so considerate” (v. 7a)
2. “My husband is so honoring” (v. 7b)
Three reasons why the husband should give understanding and honor:
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She is the weaker vessel.
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She is a “joint heir."
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Your relationship with God and your wife are intertwined.
What does consideration and honor look like?
1 Peter 2:21-24: “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.”
Husband, be Jesus to your wife!
S M A L L G R O U P D I S C U S S I O N
Question #1 – Read 1 Peter 3:7. What sticks out to you? Are there questions you have about anything in the verse? What words or concepts may be tougher to understand?
Question #2 – Let’s get very practical … how can a husband be considerate with his wife? How can a husband show honor (value) to his wife? What does the wife feel when the husband isn’t considerate or doesn’t show honor?
Question #3 – A husband’s relationship with his wife impacts his relationship with God. What comes to your mind when you read that? How should this affect our actions and priorities?
Question #4 – Read 1 Peter 2:21-24. This is the passage referenced in 1 Peter 3:7 and 3:1 when the text says “likewise” or “in the same way.” Take the time to rehearse how Jesus showed consideration and honor (value) to us through the gospel. How should His life and the values of the Gospel impact a husband’s attitudes and behavior to his wife? Finish with prayer for the marriages and families in your group.
1.24.2021
"Your Marriage
is Cursed"
Your Marriage is Cursed!
Sunday Discussion Series – “Family First”
Genesis 3 - 1.24.2021 - East Bay Calvary
Why is marriage so difficult at times? Your marriage is cursed!
Here’s how the narrative flows…
Decency and Deception (Gen. 2:25-3:7)
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They were “naked” – v. 25 (arummim) – speaks of innocence, naivete.
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Satan was “crafty” 3:1 (arum) – carries the idea of shrewdness, subtleness, deception.
The Fatal Decision (Gen. 3:6-13)
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Issue of rule … (1:27-28) “have dominion over …” They listened to what they were to rule over.
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Issue of relationship … (2:24; I Tim. 2:13-14) “her husband, who was with her …” Although with her, Adam did nothing to help his wife or lead the situation.
The Blessing turned to a Curse (Gen. 3:14)
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Their blessing by God (Gen. 1:28) turned into a curse by God!
The Cure for the Curse (v. 14-15)
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The cure is Jesus!
How does Jesus cure us from the curse?
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He gives us forgiveness. Forgiven people forgive.
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He makes us new. He didn’t die to keep us the same!
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He brings us to the door of humility. Humility is healing salve on your marriage and relationships.
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He gives us community. Your degree of openness is your degree of healing and growth.
S M A L L G R O U P D I S C U S S I O N
Question #1 – Read Genesis 3:1-7 and rehearse the scene of the temptation and discuss what went wrong… the lies of Satan, the independent actions of Eve, the lack of leadership and intervention of Adam.
Question #2 – Consider this phrase: “They were together but not one.” What are signs in Genesis 3:1-13 that Adam and Eve were together but not one? What are signs when couples today are together but not one?
Question #3 – Discuss the curse from God in Genesis 3:16. What are the components of the curse in their relationship. How do we see that curse in our relationships today?
Question #4 – Gen. 3:15 shows that Jesus is the ultimate cure for our curse of sin. Look at the above 4 ways that Jesus cures us from the curse and discuss how they can help us. Which ones of these stick out to you the most? How can the group encourage you or pray for you in your marriage today?
1.17.2021
"How to Experience Oneness"
How To Experience Oneness
Sunday Discussion Series – “Family First”
Genesis 2:24 - 1.17.2021 - East Bay Calvary
Genesis 2:24 “That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.”
1. Leave (Genesis 2:24)
Leaving is in used in Scripture to mean “loosen, depart, abandon” and it involves authority, locality and loyalty.
Lessons on Leaving:
Keep everything in its place (job, hobbies, friends, parents, media, church…). Everything has a place but they are not to take the place of your spouse.
Don’t let an outer circle replace an inner circle. Imagine a bullseye with the inner circles being of greater importance.
Remember, there’s only one person in the world you are one flesh with!
2. Cleave (Genesis 2:24)
Cleaving in the Bible means to Pursue, to be joined together and to keep fast and involves emotions, relationship and commitment.
To those desperately hurting … start at commitment, develop the relationship and the feelings will come.
To everyone … God has called us to a life of sacrifice. That’s the life of Jesus!
Perfect Practice makes Perfect! Practice leaving and cleaving. Ask your spouse if there is anything they feel you have loyalties to above them. Date, be affectionate, praise each other. Team up with others who will ask the hard questions.
S M A L L G R O U P D I S C U S S I O N
Question #1 – Read Genesis 2:24 and interact with these phrases … “The biggest hindrance to cleaving is never leaving.” “It’s possible to leave others but never cleave to your spouse.” “Who gives this woman away?” “Forsaking all others, I give myself only to you.”
Question #2 – What makes leaving (shifting loyalty) hard? What do you find it hardest to leave from (parents, hobbies, social media, friends, work, church, etc.? Why is it hard to leave?
Question #3 – Cleaving (uniting) is an action packed word. What practical actions help you experience cleaving in marriage?
Question #4 – This discussion isn’t for intellectual growth but personal and marital growth. What steps will you take to help grow your marriage this week? If you aren’t married, what can you do to help others grow and be encouraged in their marriage? Pray together and set up times to reconnect this week.
1.10.2021
"How God Intended It"
How God Intended It
Sunday Discussion Series – “Family First”
Genesis 1-2 - 1.10.2021 - East Bay Calvary
The Big Idea of Creation: is that God didn’t create all things equal. Mankind was created in His image.
“Image” – means “shadow or phantom”
Man is not God yet we resemble, reflect, look like, carry the qualities and characteristics.
1. God made mankind to resemble Him. (Genesis 1:26)
2. God made marriage to resemble Him. (Genesis 1:27)
Application Thoughts:
1. You billboard God’s image with a good marriage!
2. Your relationship with your spouse is linked to your relationship with God.
3. The best gift you can give your kids is a good marriage.
4. Don’t follow society’s picture of marriage.
5. Thank God for grace!
S M A L L G R O U P D I S C U S S I O N
Question #1 – Take a few moments to rehash the theology of the image of God. What is it? How are mankind and marriage made in God’s image. How do we see that in the text? (Gen. 1:26-27)
Question #2 – In what specific ways do mankind and marriage bear God’s image? Get specific and practical – especially with the marriage.
Question #3 – In the five application thoughts above, which ones impact you the most and why?
Question #4 – How is your marriage? What are some growth areas for your marriage? Is there someone God is leading you to help encourage or coach in their marriage? Take the time to pray for each other.