Living It Out – Daily Bible Study 06.15.12
Click here to download a printable version of the Daily Bible Study for today.
Click here to listen to an audio version of the Daily Bible Study for today.
FRIDAY — It Begins and Ends with Love and Respect
Big Point: Though a husband may not deserve respect and a wife may not feel any love, contemptuous speech never touches the human spirit in a positive and lasting manner.
Mike and Lisa Shea were at a dark place in their marriage. Mike was even at the point of looking at apartments if they decided to go forward with their discussed separation. He was feeling that there was no one to talk to; no where to turn. Lisa felt much the same way. She was seeing a Christian counselor who advised her to throw her husband out of the house. The counselor explained that it was the only way for her to get the attention of her distant husband. Lisa was hurt and confused by this advice. If the Lord hates divorce, could this possibly be the path for her? No, this turned out to be an alarm. Lisa heard the voice of God loud and clear, “Be still. Stick with it.”
It was only a few days later that Lisa received a book in the mail from a mentor called, Motivating Your Man, God’s Way, co-written by Emerson and Sarah Eggerichs. Instead of Lisa’s throwing Mike out of the house, the book recommended a regimen of respect coming from Lisa. Instead of responding rudely to his taunts, she would only make loving replies. This got Mike’s attention right away. He thought, ‘Hey, what’s going on? Why is she being so nice?’ It was not long after this development that their marriage turned around. One day after he made a rude comment, and Lisa replied in her new way, Mike was convicted to make an apology. It was at this time that they each broke down the walls that were blocking their way to a better marriage.
So what’s so magical about the respectful response of a wife to a husband? Is a wife supposed to just sit there and take it when her husband refuses to communicate in positive ways in a marriage? According to Lisa Shea, “No, a wife does not need to be a doormat.” With a respectful response, Lisa affirms that a wife can be, “a welcome mat. You are a welcome mat to the Word of God and you’re a welcome mat to the power of God and in that truth you are set free.” The Shea’s communication and loving interaction improved through talking, questions and shared ideas. By living Ephesians 5:33 in their marriage, they saved it.
Consider reading a couples’ devotional together such as Love and Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs.
You might also consider attending the Love and Respect conference coming to Cedar Creek, October 19-20, 2012. Register at cedarcreek.tv/loveandrespect
LIVE … What will you do now?
Evaluate and describe your relationship with your spouse. Does any part of Mike and Lisa’s story sound familiar? Are you at a crossroads—ready to give up?
Are you and your spouse ready to move into a deeper, more fulfilling relationship—to fight for your marriage?
List out the couples that you know that have a loving, caring, long-lasting Christ-centered marriage that you can model your marriage after.
We’ve talked this week about being more respectful and loving toward our spouses. Take time to discuss the following questions with your spouse this week.
- What is the number one way I can show you respect?
- If you feel disrespected in our relationship at times, what behavior could I modify that would make that better?
- What is the number one thing I can do to show you love?
- If you’ve felt unloved in our relationship at times, what actions could I take to improve that aspect?
If you are not currently married, what four things will you be certain to take into consideration before getting married:
1.
2.
3.
4.
PRAY … God, what do you want me to know and do?
Spend some time evaluating your relationship. Ask God what He may be leading you towards as a next step in your relationship. What might help save your marriage? What may take your good marriage to a great marriage?
Weekend Updates!
- Looking for a fun way to get involved and give back? Sign-up to run a 5k on Saturday, June 30th at 10am. The cost is only $16.00. Contact globaldistance@cedarcreek.tv. Perhaps golfing is your thing. Get a team together and golf in the CedarCreek golf outing on July 14th. Contact johnm@cedarcreek.tv for more information.
- The Leadership Summit is coming to CedarCreek again. Willow Creek Association Leadership Summit will be held at CedarCreek Church on August 9th and 10th. The early bird special is only $75.00 and you can sign up online at cedarcreek.tv.
- Interested in getting baptized? New Community is scheduled to take place at the West Toledo Campus on Sunday June 24th at 6pm. If you are interested in getting baptized, sign-up for any of the following baptism classes on June 16th at 5pm and June 24th at 4pm at the West Toledo Campus only. Or, you can attend a baptism class at any campus on June 17th at 10:45am.
Living It Out: June 2012
“Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have confessed so well before many witnesses.”
1 Timothy 6:12 (NLT)
Living It Out
It is the dream of CedarCreek that everyone who calls this their church home will be reading and studying the same topics, both individually and in groups. Each week, join with thousands of others at CedarCreek Church in applying God’s Word, the Bible, into your daily life. Our hope is that while we learn and grow together, as individuals and as a church, we will collectively live out the weekend message.
Living It Out resources, such as the Daily Bible Study, Daily Bible Reading Plan, Discussion Questions and Scripture Memory Verses are designed to help us embrace a missional mindset…a mindset that compels us to love Jesus, serve others and tell the world about Christ.
Living It Out: Daily Bible Study…Daily Bible study activities to reflect on the weekend message
Living It Out: Daily Bible Reading Plan…Read through the Bible in 1 year—Old and New Testament will alternate month to month.
Living It Out: Discussion Questions…Weekly questions to discuss with others
Living It Out: Scripture Memory…Memorize one Bible verse per month
All of these resources are also available electronically at www.livingitout.tv, where you can subscribe to have any or all of them emailed to you as they are updated.
We Want Your Feedback!
Tell us about any questions or comments you have about this week’s Living It Out: Daily Bible Study. Forward them to DianaP@cedarcreek.tv
Living It Out: Daily Bible Reading Plan scriptures are listed for each day. By completing each of the daily readings, you will read the entire Old Testament in 1 year. These readings are separate from the Daily Bible Study.
RESOURCES:
Tim Butler, LPCC
www.tim-butler.com
Love and Respect
Dr. Emerson Eggerichs
This week’s Living It Out Daily Bible Study written by:
Alyssa Baker
Cynthia Savage
Diana Patton
JoAnna Studer
Ryan Wilson