Lesson 9: Relationship

Dear Ladies,

I'm sorry I'm not there with you in person to make these notes a little more reflective of our class discussion, but here are Kim's notes. As you prepare for the upcoming Christmas holiday, I pray that God will prepare your heart to receive His words for you today.

 Blessings!

·      Read through Eph 5:15-6:9 aloud.

·      Pray

·      Key Verse: v. 18 (Have it written on wipe board)          

o   We can’t do any of the following commands in our relationships if we are not “filled with the Spirit” because our sin nature will win out

o   Look at Word studies for “dissipation” and “filled” , write on board

o   What contrast is mentioned in this verse?

§  Being drunk vs. being filled with Spirit

o   Why are these two things being contrasted?

§  Write table on the board…

§     Drunkenness	§     Spirit Filled
§     Lack of concern for consequences §     Senseless, reckless deeds §     Wastefulness §     Exhaustion §     Prodigality §     *definition of drunkenness from Greek dictionary	§     Self-controlled Life §     Balanced Life
§     Gives meaning, courage, vulnerability BY: §     Depressing awareness of reality §     Narrowing your vision of the big picture	§     Life of Tremendous Stimulation §     Spirit gives meaning and courage BY: §     Simulating awareness, §     Expanding vision to a bigger reality that there is a sovereign Lord of history §     The Word of truth
§     Effect wears off	§     Life of Steady Joy §     Filling of Holy Spirit can be ongoing §     Singing, making music in your heart §     Giving thanks in everything

o   It doesn’t have to be drunkenness we are using to “get away” from the unpleasantness of life…What could be some other things we turn to instead of the Spirit? could be food, books, shopping, etc..

o   Emphasize passive nature, we need to let God fill us.

o   Share thoughts on verses about Spirit on p.103-104

·      Make list of relationships mentioned in the passage

o   Christ/Church

o   Members of the body with each other

o   Wives/Husbands

o   Parents/Children

o   Slaves/Masters

·      What are the verbs (action words) that we see in the passage for godly relationships? Get in groups. Give out sticky notes…write one verb on each sticky note. Assign verses to each group.   Then post sticky notes when done.

o   Be subject, love, sanctify, cleansed, wash, present, nourish, cherish, respect, obey, honor, do not provoke, render service, give up threatening, doing will of God

o   Discuss overall theme of these verbs.  Basically “being subject”

§  Discuss word study for “be subject” p.102

·      Relationship 1: Wives and Husbands

o   Get in two groups…one group look at how the wife should act and her motivation…one group look at how the husband should act and his motivation (Make lists, use p.116 to help). Share together.

o   Share any thoughts from word studies, questions from 106-109.

§  Ultimately marriage is a covenant that God uses to make both men and women more like Christ.

§  More unity theme!! With each individual doing his part (5:33 and 4:16)

o   Application:  How is this going to change how we act within our marriages?  This is so hard!

o   Pray!!!

·      Relationship 2: Parents and Children

o   Look at word studies of “obey”, instruction, and discipline. p. 111 What do we learn?

o   Any insights from the Proverbs verses? P.112

·      Relationship 3: Slaves and Masters

o   How can this possibly apply to us today?

o   Make list on board of Points and Motives # 5a p.112

o   Look at word study for “eye service” and “men-pleasers”

§  What impacted you about studying this, where in your life do you need to make adjustments to your serving attitude?

o   How is a master (Leader) also responsible based on what you studied on p.114-115?

§  Do you need to make any changes in areas where you lead?

·      Share prayer requests and pray in small groups.