Message—the secrets of a lasting love
Week of February 15, 2009

Thematic Focus
A lasting love is not always easy. It requires work! Learn the characteristics of a relationship where love endures.

Main Points
The characteristics of a love that endures:
·  Lasting love always protects (roof).
·  Lasting love always trusts (foundation).
·  Lasting love always hopes (windows).
·  Lasting love always perseveres (walls).

Summary Points
· The single greatest threat to a relationship is neglect.
· Trusting in God is the starting point for change and Jesus is the (door). Lasting love in a relationship builds this kind of a house, locks the door, and throws away the key, purposing never to leave.

Scriptural Lenses:
· 1 Corinthians 13
· John 15:1-17
· Ephesians 4:2
· Galatians 5:6b
· Isaiah 54:4-8

Pursuing clarity
Use the following structure to guide your discussion:

Opening Prayer
Take a moment to recognize Christ’s presence among you.

Opening Question
Discuss how disagreements, doubt, defeat, disappointments, delays, depression, death, discord, dead-ends, and demands challenge a relationship.

Scriptural Focus
Select a scripture you would like to focus on.

Group Discussion
Use these questions to begin your discussion:

1. The single greatest threat to a relationship is neglect. Do you agree or disagree? Explain.
2. What are some things a relationship needs protection from? What practical steps can be taken to build such a "roof"?
3. How is trust the "foundation" of a relationship?
4. Identify a time when someone believed in you when you didn't believe in yourself. Share your story.
5. How can hope and optimism redeem a difficult situation? How is this like a "window" to a relationship?
6. What are the false promises of giving up, rather than persevering? Why is quitting so tempting?
7. How is Jesus the "door" to lasting love?

Adjusting Focus
Take time to assess how you are doing with your love:

What characteristic of lasting love do you need to focus more on demonstrating in your significant relationship(s)?

(circle one) Protecting Trusting
Hoping Persevering

Who do you need to ensure protection for in your life?

Name(s) _________________

_________________

Who do you need to show trust to in your life?

Name(s) _________________

_________________

Who do you need to give hope to in your life?

Name(s) _________________

_________________

Who do you need to persevere with in your life?

Name(s) _________________

_________________

Maintaining Focus
How is God's Spirit prompting you to understand and view love differently? A step I will take this week toward building a lasting love:

____________________________________________

Closing Prayer
Take time at the close of your time together to pray for God’s assistance in the journey. Depending on how comfortable group members feel, here are some ways you could pray:

· Write out a personal prayer.
· Have the group facilitator or a designated member of the group pray.
· Have members of the group get into a smaller group to pray for one another.
· Have several members of the group pray aloud and then conclude.

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