This is the insert and Message Based Discussion Questions for the message presented on June 30, 2013. The answers are suggested for thoughtful discussion. They are not intended to be final answers, but for the purpose to stimulate deeper thinking and spiritual growth.
Perfect Patience Became Weary
Malachi 2:10-17
How do you make the Lord weary? 2:17
1) <!–[endif]–>Be indifferent toward holiness in marriage 2:10-13
Treacherously means ___________________________
Profane means _________________________
<!–[if !supportLists]–>2) <!–[endif]–> Be indifferent toward holiness in your children 2:14-16
What does God seek? _______________________
<!–[if !supportLists]–>3) <!–[endif]–>Be indifferent toward His holy purposes 2:17
God is holy and awesome; indifference makes God grow weary.
<!–[if !supportLists]–>· <!–[endif]–>God is worthy of worship.
<!–[if !supportLists]–>· <!–[endif]–>Marriage mirrors who God is.
<!–[if !supportLists]–>· <!–[endif]–>Raise godly children.
Message Based Discussion Questions
<!–[if !supportLists]–>1) <!–[endif]–>How were you taught about reverence for God? Or were you? How do, did, you learn it today?
Digging Deeper:
2) <!–[endif]–>Malachi was clear regarding marriage. What was God’s purpose of marriage (Mal. 2:14-15)? ____________ What are God’s provisions so that that divorce not happen?
3) <!–[endif]–>Did God allow divorce in the Old Testament (Deut. 24:1-4)? _______ What was God’s procedure for divorce in the OT? Why do you suppose He allowed it?
4) <!–[endif]–>In Jeremiah’s day, God had had enough (Jer. 14:19-5:3). Was God going to listen to Israel anymore? _____________ What was God’s concern for Israel?
Making application from the message to life:
5) <!–[endif]–>What did the church of Ephesus do well (Rev. 2:1-7)? __________ What did they fail to do? Can that happen with us? What did Jesus command that the church of Ephesus do?
6) <!–[endif]–>What are seven things your group can contribute that will ensure marriage will remain strong? Do marriages matter if you are single?
7) <!–[endif]–>How should the church function so that marriages that are struggling will become restored and strong again?
Message Based Discussion Questions
<!–[if !supportLists]–>1) <!–[endif]–>How were you taught about reverence for God? Or were you? How do, did, you learn it today?
<!–[if !supportLists]–>a) <!–[endif]–>I watched my parents treat worship reverently and something different than normal life.
<!–[if !supportLists]–>b) <!–[endif]–>The church I grew up in had a large sanctuary that was treated with respect.
<!–[if !supportLists]–>c) <!–[endif]–>I was taught to dress, speak and act differently when going to church.
<!–[if !supportLists]–>d) <!–[endif]–>Those who served in church were to be treated with respect.
<!–[if !supportLists]–>e) <!–[endif]–>Church was not the same thing as a social club or business.
<!–[if !supportLists]–>f) <!–[endif]–>We are becoming more casual today.
<!–[if !supportLists]–>g) <!–[endif]–>Bible teachers continue to teach about the holiness of God.
Digging Deeper:
<!–[if !supportLists]–>2) <!–[endif]–>Malachi was clear regarding marriage. What was God’s purpose of marriage (Mal. 2:14-15)? _holy offspring_ What are God’s provisions so that that divorce not happen?
<!–[if !supportLists]–>a) <!–[endif]–>God provided the Word of God to learn the standards of God and pleasures of God.
<!–[if !supportLists]–>b) <!–[endif]–>The Church as God’s institution to communicate truth and assemble like-minded people to communicate truth and worship Him.
<!–[if !supportLists]–>c) <!–[endif]–>The institution of marriage that creates stability for society.
<!–[if !supportLists]–>d) <!–[endif]–>The covenant of marriage that reminds us marriage is about God, not us.
<!–[if !supportLists]–>e) <!–[endif]–>The mandate to disciple others – either children or disciples to become disciplers of others.
<!–[if !supportLists]–>f) <!–[endif]–>God’s Spirit to empower, strengthen and convict us to walk in holiness and truth for the sake of the kingdom and not ourselves.
<!–[if !supportLists]–>g) <!–[endif]–>Friends who will love us enough to come alongside and love us back to the Father’s love and kingdom.
<!–[if !supportLists]–>3) <!–[endif]–>Did God allow divorce in the Old Testament (Deut. 24:1-4)? _yes_ What was God’s procedure for divorce in the OT? Why do you suppose He allowed it?
<!–[if !supportLists]–>a) <!–[endif]–>The procedure for divorce in the OT was:
<!–[if !supportLists]–>i) <!–[endif]–>He finds something that is unclean (although that has not been established as clear as it should be).
<!–[if !supportLists]–>ii) <!–[endif]–>He must give her a certificate of divorce.
<!–[if !supportLists]–>iii) <!–[endif]–>Send her away from his house, so she can be free to remarry. He must provide for her, because she is similar to a widow now.
<!–[if !supportLists]–>iv) <!–[endif]–>She must not go back to the former husband if a second husband dies or divorces her.
<!–[if !supportLists]–>b) <!–[endif]–>He allowed divorce, because of the hardness of heart from sin in our lives. He also did not want harm to come to the woman because of a frustrated husband. He wanted orderliness in the chaos of frustration and problems in marriage. The woman was more important than unity if it meant the marriage was going to mirror something ugly that God was not.
<!–[if !supportLists]–>4) <!–[endif]–>In Jeremiah’s day, God had had enough (Jer. 14:19-5:3). Was God going to listen to Israel anymore? _No_ What was God’s concern for Israel?
<!–[if !supportLists]–>a) <!–[endif]–>Israel would not listen when He spoke, so divine discipline was coming.
<!–[if !supportLists]–>b) <!–[endif]–>God was concerned about the covenant He made with Israel.
<!–[if !supportLists]–>c) <!–[endif]–>He was concerned about His holiness.
Making application from the message to life:
<!–[if !supportLists]–>5) <!–[endif]–>What did the church of Ephesus do well (Rev. 2:1-7)? _labor in the Word and test those who led in church__ What did they fail to do? Can that happen with us? What did Jesus command that the church of Ephesus do?
<!–[if !supportLists]–>a) <!–[endif]–>Ephesus left their first love of Jesus Christ.
<!–[if !supportLists]–>b) <!–[endif]–>Yes, it can happen to any Christian (Eph. 4:17-24)
<!–[if !supportLists]–>c) <!–[endif]–>Remember from where they had fallen, repent and do the things they did at first.
<!–[if !supportLists]–>6) <!–[endif]–>What are seven things your group can contribute that will ensure marriage will remain strong? Do marriages matter if you are single?
<!–[if !supportLists]–>a) <!–[endif]–>Seven things our group can do for strong marriages.
<!–[if !supportLists]–>i) <!–[endif]–>Take an interest in those who are married.
<!–[if !supportLists]–>ii) <!–[endif]–>Encourage what is going well in marriages.
<!–[if !supportLists]–>iii) <!–[endif]–>Take care of their children, so the couple can have a break for themselves.
<!–[if !supportLists]–>iv) <!–[endif]–>Do things together with the couple at home or in social activities.
<!–[if !supportLists]–>v) <!–[endif]–>Offer to disciple the couple.
<!–[if !supportLists]–>vi) <!–[endif]–>Invite the couple to participate in discipleship activities.
<!–[if !supportLists]–>vii) <!–[endif]–>Invite the couple to get involved in discipling others and show them how.
<!–[if !supportLists]–>viii) <!–[endif]–>Share with them what God is doing in your devotional life.
<!–[if !supportLists]–>b) <!–[endif]–>Marriages matter for those who are single. Only the self-centered single does not care about marriages. Singles should pray and support marriages for the sake of society, the church and the children. Singles have more time to serve those who are married. Singles can get involved so they can learn strengths and weaknesses of married people, so they will have a better filter when considering a potential mate. Married people should include singles so they sense they are part of the family. There should be no difference whether someone is single or married. There should be no cliques or separateness. We are all one in Christ.
<!–[if !supportLists]–>7) <!–[endif]–>How should the church function so that marriages that are struggling will become restored and strong again?
<!–[if !supportLists]–>a) <!–[endif]–>God’s Word should be taught so people can respond to it.
<!–[if !supportLists]–>b) <!–[endif]–>There should be counseling available for those who might need it.
<!–[if !supportLists]–>c) <!–[endif]–>There should be home groups where people can join and be transparent.
<!–[if !supportLists]–>d) <!–[endif]–>The church should let people be people and encouragement to trust the goodness of God.
<!–[if !supportLists]–>e) <!–[endif]–>The church should be aware of marriage life in the culture and how fractured many marriages are and create connecting events and equipping training, so that marriages can multiply for the sake of the kingdom.
Shepherding Truth 