Topic: Relationship

1. If an electronic device is broken, do you prefer to repair or buy a new one? In an affluent society, we are used to discarding rather than fixing stuff. How does this mindset influence our view of relationships and marriages?
2. In today’s society, people do not like the idea of commitment. What do you think are the reasons why people may shy away from commitment in marriage? What does it reflect about what these people value?

1. Why do you think God values marital faithfulness so much? What does it reflect about Him and His desires for us?
2. Why is accountability in our marriage important? Are there specific boundaries we may need to set to safeguard our marriage? Are there pastoral leaders whom we can choose to be accountable to?

1. For married couples, it is difficult for us to die to self and love our spouse sacrificially without God’s empowerment. What is one challenge in your marriage that you need to ask the Holy Spirit to empower you in? Think of a specific example and commit to allowing God to change you.
2. For couples, what is one practical step you need to take together to strengthen your marriage? Some possible ideas include:
   – Taking up a love challenge (e.g. 40 Day Fire Proof Love Challenge)
   – Setting aside a “date night” weekly
   – Praying for one another regularly
3. For courting couples and singles, drawing close to God before marriage will prepare us to weather storms in our future marriages. What are some practical action steps we can take to draw close to God?

Series: Truly, Madly, Deeply
Title: Mad but Staying
Text: Song 5:2-6:3

It is normal for a relationship to experience conflicts and difficulties. How then can we navigate through these conflicts and stay in the relationship biblically despite conflicts and difficulties?

General Questions:

1. Conflicts are bound to arise in any relationship, and especially so in a marriage, where two people come together and share their lives closely and intimately with one another. For married and courting couples, what are some things or issues that trigger conflict in your relationship? How do you usually deal with these conflicts? What can you learn from the practical ways to handle conflict from the sermon?
2. For singles, we will encounter conflict in other relationships with our family and friends. How do you usually respond when you encounter conflict in these relationships? What can you learn from the practical ways to handle conflict from the sermon?

Perspective Questions:

1. Do you agree that community is important to support us in our relationship? Do you have such a support system? If not, what are ways that you can build the support system? Conversely, how do you think you can be open and guided by the Holy Spirit to speak into the lives of others, as part of God’s community?
2. Divorce rates are on the rise, and irreconcilable differences arising from inability to resolve conflicts and differences are often cited as reasons for divorce. What do you think are some reasons that couples find it hard to stay in a marriage? How do you think we can practically apply biblical values such as love, forgiveness, and thankfulness and in our relationship? What are the values that you hold on to that help you tide through challenging times in your marriage?

Application Questions:

1. For married couples, how is the level of intimacy (physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual) in your relationship? Have past unresolved conflicts driven a wedge in your marriage? From this teaching, what do you think you can do to restore the intimacy in your marriage?
2. For courting couples and singles, what are the practical tips and values from this teaching that you can apply in your relationships and consider if you are ready for the commitment of marriage?

In our pursuit of a romantic partner or career advancement, friendships could take a back seat. Hear our panel share their personal journey on friendships and how authentic friendships can be the missing ingredient we need to live a fulfilling life as young adults.

In our pursuit of a romantic partner or career advancement, friendships could take a back seat. Hear our panel share their personal journey on friendships and how authentic friendships can be the missing ingredient we need to live a fulfilling life as young adults.