John Thomas – Mariners Church Flow Questions

Art of Relationships // Wk 6 Made Beautiful

Message Recap

Sex is a gift from God! Let that sink in a minute. He gave us the gift of sex for our enjoyment and so that we could fulfill his command to “be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:28). Yet this wonderful gift has caused so much hurt and brokenness. You don’t have to look far to see the damage that a low view of sex and sexuality can cause. Theologian Christopher West said it best when he said that…”to find that which is most sacred in the world look to that which is most profaned.” Our sexuality, like all things on this earth is in the process of renewal. We have “been” made new in Christ and we are “being” made new. God, in His word, has shown us the design, meaning and purpose of sex. As we trust and surrender, He will bring healing, hope and freedom!

Guiding Verses

Genesis 1:26-28

26 Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” 27 So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

28 Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”

1 Corinthians 6:15-20

15 Don’t you realize that your bodies are actually parts of Christ? Should a man take his body, which is part of Christ, and join it to a prostitute? Never! 16 And don’t you realize that if a man joins himself to a prostitute, he becomes one body with her? For the Scriptures say, “The two are united into one.” 17 But the person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him.

18 Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. 19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

Discussion Questions

Tell the story about one of your scars.
What do you learn about God’s intent for sex from the message/guiding verses?
What does culture tell us about the purpose of sex?
What does it look like to live out those beliefs?
Where have you experienced brokenness in your sexuality, where have you experienced healing?
What would it look like to trust God to continue to bring healing?

Moving Forward

As we did in this weekend’s service you may want to spend more focused time praying with one-another for healing, hope and freedom. If it seems appropriate for your group consider breaking off male and female to facilitate greater sharing. Let 2 Corinthians 5:17 guide your prayer in the belief “that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” Part of embracing that new life may also meaning walking in that healing in community and care. Visit the care & recovery section of our website for a complete list of resources and groups design to provide next steps towards healing.

To learn more about the Art of Relationships series, including how to join or host an Art of Relationships Series Group click here.

Art of Relationships // Wk 5 Intentional Parenting

Message Recap

This week’s message takes a look at what it means to be intentional and not only as parents, but as mentors and guides to the next generation. One of the things God calls us all to is to care for, raise up and disciple the next generation. The key elements we looked at were…

1. Having A Strong Belief – Mark 9:36-37

2. Beginning With The End Mind – Psalms 90:12

3. Encouraging Words – Proverbs 12:18, 12:6

4. Genuine Affection – Romans 12:10

5. Serious Fun – Proverbs 17:22

6. Delicate Discipline – Proverbs 3:11-12, Ephesians 6:4

Guiding Verses

Ephesians 5:1-2

1 “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God“

Psalms 32:8

“I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.“

Discussion Questions

If you could join a “TV Show” family which would it be and why?
What are some things you’ve learned from your family or a mentor that you are currently, or hope to incorporate with your family?
What are some things you hope will be different?
Of the 6 elements of parenting/mentoring, which ones are you doing well and which ones do you need to grow in?

Moving Forward

Any healthy, life giving relationship requires intentionality. Health isn’t something that just happens. Rather, it’s a fruit that the Holy Spirit creates in and through us as we partner with him. Take inventory this week of the ways you see him working alongside you as well as the ways he may be prompting you turn around and change behavior that’s harmful to yourself and those around you.

To learn more about the Art of Relationships series, including how to join or host an Art of Relationships Series Group click here.

Art of Relationships Wk 4 // Believe In Love

Message Recap

We spend countless amounts of cash and invest large amounts of time to find and fall in to love. For example, this Valentines weekend we will spend $19 Billion dollars on gifts! What about the cost of staying in love? What does it take to build a long lasting and love filled relationship as the bible defines it? In word, sacrifice. Sacrifice of our pride, preference and desire to love in way that serves our needs first.

Guiding Verses

1 John 4:7-8

“Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”

Ephesians 5:21

“Submit to one another our reverence for Christ.”

Discussion Questions

Take a look at the 5 love languages. Which ones do you like to give? Which ones do you like to receive?
Where have you seen sacrificial love? What did it look like and what were the effects?
What are some things that keep you from loving sacrificially?
What would it take and how would others be impacted if you regularly loved sacrificially?

Moving Forward

“We Love because he first loved us.” John 4:19. Sacrificial love is something that is modeled to us by God through his son Jesus. Jesus is the complete and most compelling picture of love that the world has ever seen. The more we walk with him and listen for his voice the more we will be transformed by his spirit. Jesus is our model and our source which enables us to live and love as he did.

To learn more about the Art of Relationships series, including how to join or host an Art of Relationships Series Group click here.

Art of Relationships Wk 3 // Slow Burn

Message Recap

You have ever had one of those, “I wish I could take that back” moments? Chances are we’ve all said or done things in our relationships that we regret or wish we could “do-over.” So, where does that come from and what’s the way forward? How can we become people that are “quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” when it seems like everything within us is compelling us to do the exact opposite?

Guiding Verses

James 1:19-21

19 “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.”

Proverbs 16:24

24 “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”

Discussion Questions

Let’s play “telephone pictionary!” (video instructions here)
When/Where is it easy to be mis-understood?
What are things that stifle healthy communication?
When was a time someone listened well to you, and how did that make you feel?
Which of the James 1 “quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” encouragements do you struggle with?

Moving Forward

Here’s the deal… we all struggle with communication and left to our own will-power, we will fail time and time again. God’s has given us the gift of His Holy Spirit, to bring about the change in us that we could never accomplish by ourselves. As you close read Galatians 5:13-26 and pray for the Holy Spirit to work in and through your lives to empower you to be all that He as created you to be, a reflection of His love and grace.

To learn more about the Art of Relationships series, including how to join or host an Art of Relationships Series Group click here.

Art of Relationships Wk 2 // Busyness

Message Recap

One of the healthy relationship requires time. It comes to no surprise then that one of the greatest relationship killers is busyness. In our instant, get it now world, we can quickly find ourselves overcommitted and under connected. The lies and lure of success, meaning and security play on our time and pride to trap us in a perpetual state of hurry and shallowness. What if we could choose better? What if we flipped the script and invested in the things that matter the most? What if we stared with the most vital of all relationships… our relationship with our Heavenly Father. God speaks, restores and wants to teach us a better way.

Guiding Verses

Luke 10:41-42

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed-or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken from her.”

Matthew 11:28-30

28 “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Discussion Questions

What would you do with and extra 5 hours every day?
What are the lies of busyness and why do people buy into them?
What are the lies of busyness that you’ve bought into?
How are busyness and hurry damaging your relationships?
What choices can you make to combat business?

Moving Forward

Identifying the reality and impact of busyness is half the battle. Take time this week to ask God’s Spirit to illuminate the root causes, the lies even, that you’ve bought into that lead you to excuse or even defend busyness. Pray the truth of Ephesians 2:10 which reminds us that… “We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us o do.” Our worth and identity are found in the creative and saving work of our Savior. He wants to teach you a new way that leads to an abundant and full life!

To learn more about the Art of Relationships series, including how to join or host an Art of Relationships Series Group click here.