Handle with Care

Sermon Notes November 19, 2017 I Kings 11:1-8 Short Review Review the main points of the message. Some Questions for Discussion: Focus on: How does God’s Word guide us to loving relationships which bless us now and for a lifetime? 1. Think about movies you’ve seen, novels you’ve read: Give examples of how the course of a main character’s life is effected by friends and loved ones? 2. Why do relationships have such a powerful effect on our lives? 3. Tell us about friends you’ve had – as children, youth, adulthood – and how they influenced you (both for good or bad). 4. Why did Solomon have so many wives? [Sign of wealth and power for ancient pagan kings; way to make alliances (I Kings 3:1) – and other reasons as well?] a. What did God’s Word say about this? b. How did it affect him spiritually? c. How do intimate relationships with people who worship other gods (or no gods) raise questions about: whether the Bible is true, whether Christ is the One God revealed, whether there is any moral authority since ‘right and wrong’ varies from culture to culture? 5. How do emotions govern/rule us when we are forming a romantic relationship? Are we much better at it when we get older? 6. What commands does God’s word give about romantic relationships? a. [Leader: see if people know commands, and can find them in the Bible. Examples: I Kings 11:2; I Corinthians 7:39 – “only in the Lord”; II Cor. 6:14-18.] b. What practical advice would you give to single men and women who want to honor Christ in these relationships? 7. Does this mean we can’t be friends with unbelievers? Is there a difference between someone whose most intimate friends are believers, and one whose most intimate friends are unbelievers? 8. Summarize your understanding: a. How did the wisest man fall as a result of romantic love? b. What hope do have of doing better than him?