Making Love Last

Sermon Notes: December 11, 2016 Song of Songs 1:7-8 Briefly summarize the message. Include the following main points: a. How was this couple involved in society, in life? b. What are some of the activities that bind together all marries – believers or unbelievers? c. What is Jesus’ promise of provision for marriages? Some Questions, focus on: The distinct calling on a Christian couple, and how it refreshes and renews love. 1. What are your favorite romantic songs? When did you first hear the song(s)? [No – they don’t have to be ‘Christian’ songs. Isn’t romance common to all people?] 2. Describe the differences between “young love” and “mature love”? What do you notice, what are the clues in the behavior of the couple which are telling? 3. What are the things that keep a husband and wife busy, so busy that they may neglect each other? 4. How does love and romance fit in with work, family and the other demands of life? Can it survive? Do those things strengthen love? How? 5. Read Proverbs 31: 10-31. a. Describe the ‘vocation’ (the calling, the work God has given her to do) of this wife? b. What does her husband think of her? Does being immersed in life like this enhance or degrade their love? Why? 6. Read Matthew 6:31-32. a. What are some of the things which the “Father knows” you need? b. In trying to meet their needs, what are believers to do which is distinct from ‘gentiles’ – unbelievers? 7. The Father’s will for marriages is expressed in Ephesians 5:31, 32 and throughout Scripture: that our marriage is a picture of Christ’s love for His Church. What do our marriages need in order to accomplish this? a. Do you think marriages need love, peace, joy? Does the Father “know that we need” these things? b. What is Jesus’ prescription for meeting the needs in our marriage? 8. What are ways in which couples can seek first the kingdom of God – not just individually, but together, as those who have been made ‘one flesh’ by God? [Think of house and home, child rearing, money, time, spiritual gifts etc.] 9. How have you consciously sought the kingdom as a couple? How has seeing yourselves as part of the kingdom strengthened your marriage?