Staying in Love | Week 4
Staying in Love #4: Multiple Choice Marriage
INTRODUCTION
1 Corinthians 13 is a popular passage from the Bible that many couples include in their wedding ceremonies. Its description of love is inspiring. Yet, upon further examination, you’ll also find specific instructions that, when applied, will result in long-lasting, love-filled relationships.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What is the best piece of advice you’ve heard about making a relationship last?
2. What has been the most impactful piece of advice from “Staying in Love” that you can apply to a current relationship (or a future relationship)?
3. Do you have high expectations in your relationships, or do you expect very little from those around you? Explain.
4. When there is a gap between what you expect from people and what they actually do, do you fill that gap by “believing the best” or “assuming the worst”? Give an example.
Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
In 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, the apostle Paul defines love with multiple descriptors.
5. Which descriptors of loving come easy to you? Which aspects of loving do you find difficult?
6. What specific steps can you take this week to fill the gaps in your relationships by choosing to trust and believing the best?
MOVING FORWARD
Gaps occur all the time in relationships. There are gaps between what we expect from others and what they actually do. And in response, we can choose to trust and believe the best, or we can choose the opposite and fill those gaps with negative assumptions. Or, as it says in 1 Corinthians 13, we can choose to protect, trust, hope, and persevere. Relationships will grow or fade depending on what you choose to place in those gaps.
CHANGING YOUR MIND
It (love) always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:7