Bride and Gloom Week 1

What comes to mind when you think of the word “wait”? Does this word remind you of something you are waiting on? Does hearing this word bring up automatic impatience and frustration within you? Regardless of what this word brings to mind, we all have had experience waiting. Many of us are waiting on something now. Some are waiting on a spouse, a child, a restored relationship, and much more. Although waiting can feel helpless, we are not alone as we wait. Today’s Bible study will look at practical steps of how to wait well.

BREAK THE ICE

What is something you have waited on for a long time?

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS

Bible Study Questions

 1. Why do you think waiting is difficult for so many?

WATCH SERMON RECAP

2. Read Romans 12:3-5. What does this passage of Scripture teach about taking responsibility for ourselves and our actions as we wait?

Romans 12:3-5

"Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don't think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ's body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other."

3. Read Matthew 22:34-40. Why are these two commandments the most important?

Matthew 22:34-40

"But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees with his reply, they met together to question him again. 35 One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question: 36 "Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?"

37 Jesus replied, "'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments."

4. How does following these commandments help us as we wait, especially for those waiting on a spouse?

 Application

1. When you think about the passages of Scripture we have studied today, how can we wait well, regardless of what we are waiting on?

2. What is the benefit of leaning into God and growing in our relationships with Him as we wait?

3. How does reaching out to other people and serving them bring encouragement as we wait?

MOVING FORWARD

Waiting is a good time to prepare. Most of us are waiting on something. What are you waiting for today? If you are willing, share it with your group. Then, share one step you will take to wait well, based on the Scripture you studied today, like focusing on how you need to grow, embracing your relationship with God, and loving the people around you. When you are finished, pray together. Pray that God will help you all take these important steps as you seek to wait well.  

 GOING DEEPER

We must have a solid foundation if we want to have solid relationships, whether single and waiting to be married or married for decades. This solid foundation begins individually and extends to those who are married. The strongest marriages are built and established on Christ. Those who have a marriage built on Christ and His teachings can weather the storms of life as they come. Let’s take the next few minutes to look at how Scripture teaches us to be built on and established in Christ and His teachings.

1. Read Matthew 7:24-27.

Matthew 7:24-27

"Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won't collapse because it is built on bedrock. 26 But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn't obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. 27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash."

2. To whom does Jesus compare to “a wise person who builds a house on a solid rock”?

3. What happens to the person who obeys Jesus’ teachings? How have you seen this to be true in your own life?

4. What happens to the person who disobeys Jesus' teachings? How have you seen this to be true in your own life?

5. Read Matthew 22:34-40. How is this teaching from Jesus connected with His earlier teaching listed in Matthew 7:24-27?

Matthew 22:34-40

"But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees with his reply, they met together to question him again. 35 One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question: 36 "Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?" 37 Jesus replied, " 'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments."

6. How does following and obeying Jesus’ teachings establish a firm foundation, both individually and in your marriage, for those who are married?

7. Evaluate your own life. We all have room to grow in obeying Christ’s commands. What is one area where there is room for improvement in obeying Christ?

8. Evaluate your relationships. Are you pointing those close to you, especially your spouse, to Christ’s commands and challenging each other to grow? Where is there room for improvement?

Reflect:

We create a solid foundation by building our lives and relationships on Christ's commands. We will never be perfect at this on this side of heaven. What is one step you can take to grow in this area? Share it with your group. After everyone has shared, pray together for the wisdom and courage to take these steps.

MONTHLY MEMORY VERSE (Available for download on Sagebrush App)

"Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later." Romans 8:18