FUEL

DAY FIVE: WedLocked Pt. 3

FUEL — Fri, 18 May 2012 12:00:07 +0000

Proverbs was written from the perspective of a father giving life advice to his son. The topics cover many things, including friends, money, women, and serving God. Today’s verses advise about marriage and faithfulness by asking the son to enjoy his own wife like a family gets water from their own well, not someone else’s.

1. Read Proverbs 5:15-23. How is the man’s wife described? The other woman?

2. What is the result of the man enjoying his own wife? What are the consequences if he goes somewhere else to get his pleasure? How is the man described who goes out into the streets to look for satisfaction?

3. The things we watch, listen to, and read, as well as other people can become wrong sources of sexual enjoyment. Ask God to give you discipline and wisdom to be faithful to your spouse (even if its a future spouse). If you have an addiction, email justask@rockbridge.cc for help.

DAY FOUR: WedLocked Pt. 3

FUEL — Thu, 17 May 2012 12:00:31 +0000

The book of Ruth is the love story of Boaz, an Israelite landowner, and Ruth, a foreign widow. Ruth supported herself and her widowed and elderly mother-in-law, Naomi, by scrounging leftovers from Boaz’ grain field. It is also about Christ redeeming us with His love and making us His bride.

1. Read Ruth 3 and Ruth 4:13-17. What is Boaz’ response to Ruth’s strange proposal?

2. How is Boaz similar to Christ? How is Ruth similar to us? How did God take Naomi and Ruth from a state of helpless poverty and loss into joy? How has God brought you into joy?

3. Take some time to thank God for sending Christ as your redeemer and lover of your soul. Thank Him for the ways that He has taken you out of a life of hopelessness and given you the opportunity for joy.

DAY THREE: WedLocked Pt. 3

FUEL — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:00:36 +0000

Many of us are convinced that if we just say the right words, then we will be able to convince people to believe in what we say. Paul, however, argues that there is something much more important to consider when we explain the truth.

1. Read 1 Corinthians 13 and list the words that describe love.

2. What can love accomplish that knowledge cannot? What does love accomplish that faith and good works cannot? Why is it important that love never ends? How does this concept of love look in your life?

3. Keep the list of how love is described. When you interact with people in your life, do your words and attitude match the picture you get from that list?

DAY TWO: WedLocked Pt. 3

FUEL — Tue, 15 May 2012 12:00:29 +0000

The English language uses the word “love” to mean many things. We love family, sports, pets, and our favorite restaurant. We can show what we love by investing time and money and telling others about them. The Bible tells us that God is love, and just like we invest in things we love, God invests Himself in us.

1. Read 1 John 4:7-19. How did God demonstrate his love?

2. What motivates God to love us? How do we demonstrate that God is in us? What is not found in perfect love and why?

3. When we are truly in God’s love, we begin to love others as God does. Take some time today to get right with God and ask Him to be the center of your affections.

DAY ONE: WedLocked Pt. 3

FUEL — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:00:42 +0000

Love is God’s greatest gift to man. We are first recipients of it through God’s gift of life and through the gift of Jesus. God gave us love so that we can experience his passion for us and return that passion to Him, as well as experience it with one another.

1. Read Song of Solomon 8:4-7. How powerful is love?

2. Why would the author warn women to not stir up love until the right time? What does it mean to have love as strong as death? How did God display this concept of love? What kind of love are we to display?

3. A simple act can build up a fiery love. Try writing a note or buying a piece of candy for a loved one or friend to show your love today.

DAY FIVE: WedLocked Pt. 2

FUEL — Fri, 11 May 2012 12:00:45 +0000

We as Christians are to become more Christ-like, especially with the way we treat one another. These verses show that this change begins at the heart level, with our attitudes gradually becoming less like our old selfish ones and more like Christ’s attitudes of sacrifice and humility.

1. Read Philippians 2:1-11. What characteristic of Christ is highlighted in these verses?

2. How are we supposed to treat others? Do you put your agenda first, or someone else’s agenda? Where does your spouse’s agenda fall? Do you consider his or her needs above your own?

3. There are simple things you can do to put your spouse’s needs above your own. One example would be to take care of some household chore your spouse dislikes. Find something you can do for the other person and do it with no need for reward.

DAY FOUR: WedLocked Pt. 2

FUEL — Thu, 10 May 2012 12:00:22 +0000

Companionship and having another person to help you through life was part of the original purpose of marriage. In these verses, Solomon talks about the human need for companionship with someone close who will share life with you, be it a spouse, small group, family member, or close friend.

1. Read Ecclesiastes 4:7-12. What is the purpose of companionship?

2. Why is being a loner so hard? If a cord of three strands is not easily broken, how does that apply to how marriage is designed? If a husband and wife are two parts of the strand, then who is the third?

3. If you are married, are you working as a team toward a common goal with your spouse, or are you each pursuing your own agenda? One day this week, read and discuss a scripture from this week together and pray together.

DAY THREE: WedLocked Pt. 2

FUEL — Wed, 09 May 2012 12:00:12 +0000

One of the key principles in the Bible is forgiveness: not just the forgiveness we receive from God, but forgiveness that we then show to others. It is easy for us to forgive a complete stranger, but it’s much harder to forgive when it’s someone we see every day.

1. Read Mathew 18:19-35. How often are you supposed to forgive?

2. Why would the slave who was forgiven a large debt refuse to forgive the other slave? What are some wrongs you have done that God has forgiven? How well do you forgive others?

3. Forgiveness means not holding something a person did to you against them. Write something you need to forgive and pray for God to give you the power to let it go.

DAY TWO: WedLocked Pt. 2

FUEL — Tue, 08 May 2012 12:00:19 +0000

It is hard to find a family today that has not somehow experienced the devastating effects of divorce. The reason that divorce is so destructive is that it breaks apart the unity that God has placed between a man and his wife.

1. Read Mark 10:1-10. What does marriage represent?

2. According to what Jesus is saying, when is divorce acceptable? Why is it wrong to separate a married couple? What lengths did Christ go to in order to protect His “marriage” covenant with us? What can you do to protect the purpose of marriage in your own life?

3. Take time today to pray for God to strengthen your marriage and/or the marriages of those you know. Pray for those who need help to look for and find it.

DAY ONE: WedLocked Pt. 2

FUEL — Mon, 07 May 2012 12:00:09 +0000

Paul’s life changed drastically from the time of his salvation to the time when he wrote Timothy. Where he had once hated Christians, he was now a champion for their cause. He had killed Christians and now was experiencing pain and suffering because of his choice to follow Christ.

1. Read 1 Timothy 1:12-17. How is Paul “the worst of sinners?” What purpose did Christ have in saving Paul?

2. How does Paul view himself before his salvation? How about after? What was it that Christ wanted to demonstrate through Paul? How can you be an example of Christ’s patience in your own life?

3. Think about someone you know with whom you often have trouble being patient. Pray for the person and ask God to reveal how you need to practice patience with him or her, then act on it.