​There is so much carnage and confusion around sex because there are so many lies that have distorted the divine vision for it. But God created sex to reveal what it means to be fully known and truly loved and as a powerful model of self-giving love. In Christ alone we find sex's true meaning and healing and wholeness out of our own sexual brokenness.

SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
If you typically meet coed, please ask your group in advance if they would prefer to meet by gender for this discussion, since many of these questions may be more deeply personal and sensitive than usual. 

1. Shame is such a big part of our culture, especially in Asian contexts. What has your experience with shame and sin been like (e.g. in yourself, or others, inside or outside of the Church)? When have you found it appropriate or helpful? When have you found it to be demeaning or destructive?
2. Read Genesis 2:24-25 and 3:6-11. How does reframing "nakedness and shame" in light of the story of the Bible impact how you view sin and shame? How do Jesus' interactions with the sexually broken (as found in the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4 or the scorned adulterer in John 8) speak to God's heart for the condemned and hope for those who need healing? 
3. How does sex being "a living picture of self-giving love through the full giving of self (mind, body, spirit) under the promise and protection of a covenant union" speak to you (good or bad)? Can you think of examples where violating God's vision for sex has brought dis-integration and destruction -- whether it be in the world, the church (through purity culture) or in our own marriages? How have you seen sexual sins (e.g. lust, infidelity, pornography, weaponizing sex, promiscuity, etc) bring brokenness into self and others? 
4. Read Hebrews 12:1-3. How does fixing my eyes on the self-giving love of Jesus - which scorned the shame of the cross - inspire you into a deeper love for God and others? What might this look like in specific ways in your own life and relationships both inside and outside of marriage? 

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FOR MARRIED COUPLES OR MARRIED GROUPS: You can find additional resources or exercises that can help build your marriage click HERE. Please use it to discuss with your spouse and/or a group with other couples.

We are both slaves to power and victims of abuse because our sinful brokenness results in a relentless desire to serve ourselves using power, manipulation and control. But Jesus shows us that when the power of his love is greater than our love of power, his kingdom is brought near and unity is fostered through the exercise of self-giving love and mutual submission.

​​SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Can you share of an example of when you've been a victim of an abuse of power in your life and/or an example when you misused your power, authority or influence for selfish gain (e.g. parent, boss, position, etc)? How did it make you feel? 
2. Read Ephesians 5:21-32. How do the biblical definitions and instructions for submission and headship (as defined in the sermon) compare to the world's definitions and practice of it? Why do you think these words are so often misapplied or misunderstood in our culture today? Where have you seen this demonstrated in a God-honoring way? Where have you not?
3. Review the diagram on "mutual submission" which captures Paul's general instructions to husbands and wives on how to go about expressing self-giving love to one another. How might this confirm or challenge your thoughts on roles in the marriage union on a practical and/or theological level? How do you see it impacting unity and oneness in marriage (or even your own - if married)?

FOR MARRIED COUPLES OR MARRIED GROUPS: You can find additional resources or exercises that can help build your marriage click HERE. Please use it to discuss with your spouse and/or a group with other couples.

​We want to set our own terms for who we love and how we love, but just as God has revealed how two become one in the mystery of the marriage union, Jesus is calling the Church (his bride) to become ONE with one another, reflecting the “oneness” we share in Christ and the perfect community of love found in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

See below for sermon slides and small group discussion questions. 

1. What do you find yourself most attracted to: beautiful sunsets/sunrises, beautiful beaches or beautiful mountains and why? Upon reading the quotes provided from Joshua Ryan Butler's book "Beautiful Union" does it change the way you see or appreciate the beauty in these things? 
2. Read Ephesians 1:9-10 & 2:12-16. In light of this idea of "two becoming one" how do you see this idea extending beyond a husband and wife and expanding to Christ and his Bride (the Church)? How do you feel we are doing at displaying this profound unity in diversity at ICC? 
3. Jesus' last words to his beloved disciples are captured in the gospel of John chapters 13-17. The sermon shows how union with Christ leads to 3 new things. Which struck you the most and why? 
   1. A new way (Jn 13:1-15)
   2. A new command (Jn 13:34, 15:12-13)
   3. A new identity (Jn 17:20-23)

​FOR MARRIED COUPLES OR MARRIED GROUPS: You can find additional resources or exercises that can help build your marriage click HERE (will add exercise #3 by end of day Thur, 9/19). Please use it to discuss with your spouse and/or a group with other couples.

​We struggle to live at peace with others because the brokenness inside us inevitably leads to brokenness around us – impacting all of our relationships (especially marriage). But the good news of the gospel is that Jesus has come to restore our broken union with God, make us new and whole again so that we can bring his shalom into this world and fulfill our created purpose as God’s image-bearers.

SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. Read Genesis 2:18-25. What was your understanding of the triune nature of God (the Trinity) and how is it impacted by this idea of "two becoming one" in the marriage union? 
2. What did you think of the examples of "unity in diversity" given as evidence of our soul's searching for goodness and beauty that was lost upon separation from God? Can you relate to any of them or think of any others in our culture or your experience? 
3. How does the marriage covenant picturing of "two becoming one" which Paul reveals as being about "Christ and the Church" impact the way you see God's heart and His desired relationship with humankind as his "image-bearers"? 
4. In what ways do you see the brokenness of relationships most prevalent around you (in marriage or other relationships)? How does the Bible's explanation of how things came to be compare with how the world tries to explain it?

FOR MARRIED COUPLES OR MARRIED GROUPS: You can find additional resources or exercises that will help build your marriage click HERE. Please use it to discuss with your spouse and/or a group with other couples. 

​We all struggle with insecurities because we are all in search of a true love that will make us feel secure, accepted and whole. Through the covenant of marriage God is expressing his unconditional love to the world and inviting us all into an inseparable union with Jesus that is secured by an unbreakable promise received by faith.

​SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Watch clip of Disney Pixar’s “Up”. What are some things we can learn about vows and promises from this clip?
2. Read Romans 8:35-39. When you think about the ways that the 'new covenant' of Jesus is greater than typical marriage vows what speaks to you from these words? 
3. Of the 3 points presented above (1. God's covenantal love shows us that his love is unconditional 2. God's covenantal love is received by faith and proven by faithfulness 3. God's covenantal love results in the formation of a spiritual union where 'two become one') which resonates with you the most? Which do you find most challenging to understand or embrace? 
4. How might remembering and reflecting upon God's covenant with us, help us to honor ours with our spouse (or the way we relate to others)?

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FOR MARRIED COUPLES OR MARRIED GROUPS: You can find additional resources or exercises that will help build your marriage click HERE (updated weekly). Feel free to use it and discuss with your spouse and/or a group with other couples.