Monday Recap: Session 3

At our third small group session, we joked that we were all a hot mess because it seemed like everyone had had to climb Mount Everest just to get there, ourselves included, and we were all bouncing babies in order to get through the class. So, it seemed very fitting that part of the discussion to go along with chapters 7-9 in the book Uncommon Marriage was centered on setting priorities calendar-wise, starting to say no to more things and finding a balance for family commitments.

SESSION 3 GUIDE

TOPIC 1: SETTING PRIORITIES

Discussion Questions

• How do you feel about the balance of your family’s commitments right now? Are there some things you may need to start saying no to?
• Some priorities for Tony and Lauren during this season of their lives were setting date nights, making sure their children’s sports and other activities took precedence over outside causes, and taking time to pray together. What are some things you’d like to make more time for?

Looking At God’s Word

• The most important commandment is this: “Listen, O Israel! The LORD our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.” The second is equally important: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Mark 12:29-31
• Commentary (NIV Life Application Study Bible):
  God’s laws are not burdensome. They can be reduced to two simple principles: love God and love others. These commands are from the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:18). According to Jesus, these two commandments summarize all God’s laws. Let them rule your thoughts, decisions, and actions. When you are uncertain about what to do, ask yourself which course of action best demonstrates love for God and love for others.

• Choose today whom you will serve. … As for me and my family, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15
• Commentary (NIV Life Application Study Bible):
  In taking a definite stand for the Lord, Joshua again displayed his spiritual leadership. Regardless of what others decided, Joshua had made a commitment to God, and he was willing to set the example of living by that decision. The way we live shows others the strength of our commitment to serving God.

Monday Recap: Session 2

Our second small group session covered chapters 4-6 in the book Uncommon Marriage and led to some wonderful discussion about making more time for each other (setting boundaries), leadership and submission in marriage, seeing the good in all situations, and encouraging each other.

SESSION 2 GUIDE

TOPIC 1: MAKING TIME FOR EACH OTHER

Discussion Questions

• What are some activities you enjoy doing as a couple and/or a family?
• What distractions are most likely to keep you from spending time with your spouse and/or children?
• What boundaries could you put in place to protect time with your loved ones?

Looking at God’s Word

• Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat. Mark 6:31
• Commentary (NIV Life Application Study Bible)
  When the disciples had returned from their mission, Jesus took them away to rest. Doing God’s work is very important, but Jesus recognized that to do it effectively we need periodic rest and renewal. Jesus and his disciples, however, did not always find it easy to get the rest they needed.

• Those who won’t care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers. 1 Timothy 5:8
• Commentary (NIV Life Application Study Bible)
  Healthy homes remain the best possible training environment for children. When it comes to caring for relatives and honoring parents, children take most of their cues by watching how Mom and Dad honor the grandparents. If our children see the way we, as parents, care for our parents, they will understand the importance of such honor for us in the future.

Monday Recap: Session 1

Our first substantive small group session covering the first three chapters in Tony and Lauren Dungy’s new book, Uncommon Marriage, led to a wonderful discussion on making decisions together; dealing with change; making sacrifices – big or small – for our spouse and family; and building a spiritual foundation.

SESSION 1 GUIDE

TOPIC 1: MAKING DECISIONS TOGETHER

Discussion Questions

• How does your decision-making style differ from your spouse’s? How have you learned to work together with your different wirings?
• When Tony and Lauren were seeking God’s will about whether they should move to one of the big-city teams or to the Kansas City Chiefs, there was no “booming voice from the sky” clearly telling them which way to go. Ultimately, though, they sensed that Kansas City was the right fit for their family. Do you and your spouse seek God’s will in your decision making? If so, what does that look like? What are some ways you might be more intentional about doing that?

Looking At God’s Word

• Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3: 5-6
• Commentary (NIV Life Application Study Bible)
  Leaning has the sense of putting your whole weight on something, resting on and trusting in that person or thing. When we have an important decision to make, we sometimes feel that we can’t trust anyone-not even God. But God knows what is best for us. He is a better judge of what we want than even we are! We must trust him completely in every choice we make. We should not omit careful thinking or belittle our God-given ability to reason; but we should not trust our own ideas to the exclusion of all others. We must not be wise in our own eyes. We should always be willing to listen to and be corrected by God’s Word and wise counselors. Bring your decisions to God in prayer; use the Bible as your guide; and then follow God’s leading. He will make your paths straight by both guiding and protecting you.

• Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30: 21
• Commentary (NIV Life Application Study Bible)
  When the people of Jerusalem left God’s path, he would correct them. He will do the same for us. But when we hear his voice of correction, we must be willing to follow it!