100% Week 2 Study

BIG IDEA

Giving God 100% has to include our relationships. Scripture makes it clear that God calls us to excellence in each one of our relationships, especially our relationships with our spouses. When we pursue excellence in our relationships, our marriages will be stronger, we will have deeper friendships, and our relationships will point people to Christ. God wants us to make and keep vows that last. So today, we are leaning into having solid relationships.

BREAK THE ICE

Who do you know who gives 100% in their marriage? How do they do this?

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS

Bible Study Questions

1. What do you think an excellent marriage looks like?

WATCH SERMON RECAP

2. Read Malachi 2:13-16. What did God have against the Israelites in these verses?

Malachi 2:13-16

¹³ Here is another thing you do. You cover the Lord’s altar with tears, weeping and groaning because he pays no attention to your offerings and doesn’t accept them with pleasure. ¹⁴ You cry out, “Why doesn’t the Lord accept my worship?” I’ll tell you why! Because the Lord witnessed the vows you and your wife made when you were young. But you have been unfaithful to her, though she remained your faithful partner, the wife of your marriage vows.

¹⁵ Didn’t the Lord make you one with your wife? In body and spirit you are his. And what does he want? Godly children from your union. So guard your heart; remain loyal to the wife of your youth. ¹⁶ “For I hate divorce!” says the Lord, the God of Israel. “To divorce your wife is to overwhelm her with cruelty,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “So guard your heart; do not be unfaithful to your wife.”

 3. What command did God give the people of Israel through the prophet Malachi?

4. Read Proverbs 31:29-30. Why is being a person who fears the Lord more important than outward beauty?

Proverbs 31:29-30

²⁹ “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!” ³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last;

but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.

Application

1. What do you think faithfulness looks like in our relationships today?

2. Why is a strong relationship with Christ foundational for strong relationships?

3. How are you currently pursuing your relationship with Christ?

MOVING FORWARD

Proverbs 31 is a great guide for us of what kind of people God calls us to be in our relationships. Have each group member individually look through proverbs 31:10-31. Pick one of the attributes listed in these verses that you would like to grow in and share it with your group. Then, commit as a group to ask each other how you are growing in that area throughout the next few weeks.

Going Deeper

Scripture makes it clear that marriage is a covenant, and it is something to be taken seriously. We do not use the word covenant often, so it will be helpful to take a deeper look into what a covenant is and why it should be taken seriously.

Covenant Definitions:

Let’s start by looking up the definition for the word covenant. Read the Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary definition of this word provided below, and when you are finished, explain in your own words how you would explain a covenant to a friend.

· Covenant:

1. Formal : a formal and serious agreement or promise

2. Law : a formal written agreement between two or more people, businesses, countries, etc.

· In your own words, how would you explain what a covenant is to a friend?

Covenants in Scripture:

· Genesis 9:13-17.

o Read these verses. This is one of the first instances of a covenant found in Scripture.

o What covenant does God make in these verses?

o What do these verses teach us about the covenants that God makes with His people?

· Malachi 2:14

o You have read this verse earlier, but look back at Malachi 2:14.

The New Living Translation ends this verse by saying, “the wife of your marriage vows.” The English Standard Version ends the verse saying, “your wife by covenant.”

o What do we learn about marriage based on this verse?

o How does what we have learned in our study of covenants today affect your view of marriage?

· Read Mark 10:6-9.

o What is unique about the covenant of marriage?

o How does unity impact how you think about the covenant of marriage?

Compare and Contrast the World’s View of Marriage that we get from tv, movies, and pop culture today versus God’s view of marriage. Then, based on what you have learned from what Scripture teaches about marriage, take a few minutes with your group to compare and contrast God’s view of marriage versus the world’s view of marriage. What similarities do you see? What differences do you see? Finally, how is God’s view of marriage found in Scripture better?

According to Genesis 9, the rainbow is a reminder to us that God is a covenant-keeping God. As His people, we are to take the covenants we make very seriously. Maybe today, you need a reminder that God keeps His promises with us. Maybe you need a reminder to take your marriage seriously. Perhaps you need to hear the truth that just like God is faithful to you, you are called to live faithful in response. Maybe your Bible study today reminded you that love is not conditional. Share with your group one takeaway you gained from your study today and one way you want to walk forward this week based on what you learned.

MONTHLY MEMORY VERSE (Available for download on Sagebrush App)

So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31