LIVING THE BIBLE LIFE

114 Pages·2012·2.4 MB·English

FOR LEADERS
LIVING THE
BIBLE
LIFE
A Supplemental Resource to Read the Bible for Life
Provided by
FOR
© 2012 • Southern Baptists of Texas Convention
Living the Bible for Life (SBTC) 1
2 Living the Bible for Life (SBTC)
A Supplemental Resource to Read the Bible for Life
This material has been designed as a supplement to the Read the Bible for Life (RTBFL) material. The
RTBFL material is a nine-week study that is an incredibly helpful tool to aid churches and individuals
who are looking to read the Scriptures in a biblical and understandable manner. We wanted to provide
this added resource so churches wanting to do the RTBFL as a 13 – week (quarterly) study would have
all the resources they need. The other aspect of this material is that it provides aids for adaptation of
the contents of RTBFL to both Children and Students. We pray this is a helpful resource to beneft you
in your study and application of God’s Word.
We would like to thank the people who contributed to the development of this resource.
AUTHORS
Children’s Ministry
Karen Kennemur | Kelly King

Student Ministry
Niki Hays | Ken Lasater

Adult Ministry
Chris Shirley | Eric Perkins | Spencer Plumlee | Michael Wright | Lance Crowell
OTHER CONTRIBUTORS
Drew Erickson | Jack Gatewood
SBTC CM Team (www.sbtexas.com/cm)
Jim Wolfe | Ken Lasater |Kenneth Priest | Lance Crowell
Judy Van Hooser | Denae Johnson | LeAnne Williams | Amanda Hayes
More Read the Bible for Life Resources - www.sbtexas.com/ReadtheBibleforLife
This resource made possible through your Cooperative Program Giving
Living the Bible for Life (SBTC) 3
Four Week Supplemental Material to the Read the Bible for Life Workbook
Living the Bible in Your Marriage Lesson (Week 10) ..................................... 5
Living the Bible in Your Marriage Devotions (Week 10) ................................ 10
Living the Bible in Your Family Lesson (Week 11) ....................................... 22
Living the Bible in Your Family Devotions (Week 11) .................................... 27
Living the Bible in the World Lesson (Week 12) ........................................... 37
Living the Bible in the World Devotions (Week 12) ....................................... 42
Living the Bible for Life Lesson (Week 13) .................................................. 53
Living the Bible for Life Devotions (Week 13) ............................................... 58
Living the Bible for Life Contents
Read the Bible for Life Marriage Activities (13 Weeks) ................................ 68
Using the Bible with Preschoolers .................................................................. 73
Using the Bible with Children .......................................................................... 76
Read the Bible for Life Supplement for Student Ministry .............................. 86
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LIVING THE
BIBLE
IN YOUR
MARRIAGE
week 10
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Living the Bible for Life: Week 10
Living the Bible in Your Marriage/Teaching Plan
Scripture Focus: 2 Timothy 3:16-17
I. Opening the Session - Introduce the lesson by relating this story or another illustration
about the impact of God’s word on the marriage relationship:
In August of 2006, Newsweek magazine profled the lives of Ruth and Billy Graham—not their
historic evangelistic crusades and international impact, but their life as an elderly couple ap-
proaching their fnal chapters on earth. One thing that shone brilliantly through the pages of the
article was the incredible quality of their marriage. “At night we have time together,” Billy says.
“We pray together and read the Bible together every night. It’s a wonderful period of life for
both of us. We’ve never had a love like we do now—we feel each other’s hearts.”
From Jon Meacham, “Pilgrim’s Progress,” Newsweek (8-14-06)
Explain that the quality of Billy and Ruth Graham’s marriage was built on the foundation of the
Lordship of Christ and the authority of the word of God. These are two essential ingredients to
a thriving marriage. If Jesus Christ is truly the Lord of our marriage, we will naturally seek His
will for our relationship. His will for all those who have united themselves “in Him” is found in
the wisdom of His word, the Bible. To Live the Bible in Your Marriage, we must be willing to ac-
cept its authority and align your marriage to the perfect truth that has been given to us through
the Word.
II. Between the Lines – Use the following scripture, questions, and activities to gain a greater
understanding of the impact of the Bible on marriage:
Point out that, while the Bible is not a marriage manual, the Word of God can be applied to
any situation in life, including the marriage relationship. In the closing section of 2 Timothy, the
apostle Paul reminds his young co-laborer about the complete applicability of God’s word.
Read 2 Timothy 3:14-15. Mention that these verses occur as Paul warns Timothy about the tri-
als he will face as he presents the truth of God’s word to a hostile world. He exhorts Timothy to
hold fast to things that are sure and certain, primarily the Scripture.
Ask: How is the infuence of the world pulling our marriages away from the anchor of God’s
word? Encourage adults to offer their perspectives on the effect of our culture on marriages;
examples might include the high divorce rate among Christian couples, a high degree of co-
habitation among young adults, approval of same-sex marriages, and the impact of internet
pornography on marriages.
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Ask: What does this passage teach us about the source of the problems with marriages within
the church? During the discussion, be sure to note that the source of our marriage problems
lies in our inattention, neglect, and rejection of the word of God. Paul declared that the Scrip-
tures came directly from God Himself (“breathed out by God”) and other New Testament writ-
ers confrmed this truth (see 2 Pt 2:21 and 1 Cor 2:13). However, the infuence of the world has
infected our churches, as well as our marriages, and diminished the authority of Scripture.
State that Paul’s message to Timothy is especially relevant to the health and well-being of
marriage. First, we should acknowledge the Bible as God’s authoritative guide in our relation-
ships. Then, looking at the further points in Paul’s statement, we should allow the Scripture
to manage our marriages and provide course corrections for the challenges that will certainly
come our way.
The Bible Teaches
Explain that, in the Bible, we fnd God’s original design for marriage. He is author of marriage,
having established it from the beginning in the Garden. Because God created marriage, He
has the right and authority to teach us the truth about this sacred institution.
Read Genesis 2:22-24.
Ask: What does God teach us about marriage through the story of the frst marriage? While
discussing this question, lead adults to recognize some of the core teachings about marriage
that are included in this passage: (1) marriage was designed by God to be between a man
and a woman; (2) marriage is to be a close, intimate, and mutual relationship; (3) marriage is a
lifelong commitment.

The Bible Reproves
Point out that the Scripture also serves as a “prophet” to reprove God’s people when they
stray from their devotion to His commands. In the case of marriages, the Bible contains sto-
ries about those who were confronted for their sinful behavior in the marriage relationship. In
the book of Malachi, the prophet declares the word of the Lord to the men of Israel who were
disobeying the Lord’s intent for marriage.
Read Malachi 2:16.
Ask: What are some common problem areas in marriage in which the Bible reproves our sinful
behavior? What is God’s purpose for confronting us about our sinful actions? Connect these
two questions together to show the two sides of reproof. Guide adults to recognize some com-
mon problems that occur in every marriage that lead us into sin. The Bible confronts us about
such things as anger, lack of forgiveness, infdelity, greed, and dishonesty: all of which can
occur in any marriage. Yet, God uses the reproof of His word—fltered through the conviction of
the Holy Spirit—to bring us to repentance and restoration (his purpose in confronting us).
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The Bible Corrects
Explain that while God uses the Bible to reprove our sinful thoughts and actions, He also uses
His word to move us into a right relationship with Him. Scripture provides godly correction to
the believer. In our marriages, the word of God serves as a light to point us toward the straight
path that leads to harmony, intimacy, and unity with the Lord and with each other. In his frst
letter to the Corinthians, Paul corrected the married couples who were confused about their
commitment to their relationship in light of the Lord’s return.
Read 1 Corinthians 7:1-5. Note that the Corinthians believed that Jesus’ return was coming
soon and they questioned the necessity of marriage as they waited on the Lord. Paul’s mes-
sage was that they were to honor the Lord by honoring their commitment to one another.
Ask: How has God used His word to shape and refne your marriage, both individually and as
a couple? Lead couples to testify to the ways in which they have grown through the correction
of Scripture. While this is a personal response question, there are some common ways that
God works through His word in many marriages: during their devotion time and praying togeth-
er, through the preaching of God’s word in worship, at a marriage retreat or workshop, or even
during the family worship time.
The Bible Trains
Relate that the “training in righteousness” that Paul mentions in 3:17 is like the process of
discipleship. The Bible is the tool that God uses to form us into the likeness of His Son. Mar-
riage is an ideal platform for discipleship because the ideal characteristics in a thriving mar-
riage are also the keys to the growth of our relationship with Jesus Christ. In Ephesians 5, Paul
describes our relationship with Christ by using the illustration of marriage.
Read Ephesians 5:22-27, 32-33. Point out that Paul intended his training in this passage to
be a model for a Christ-centered home. Note how he keeps returning to Jesus Christ as the
foundation and pattern of the marriage relationship.
Ask: How does your marriage infuence our relationship with Christ, and your relationship with
Christ affect our marriage? There will be a variety of responses to this question; during the
discussion, mention that the quality of one relationship directly affects the other. Both relation-
ships require lifetime commitment, devotion, submission, and every characteristic identifed as
a fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23).

III. Living the Truth:
Lead adults to share their experiences from the past week as they put into practice the ideas
from the Family Takeaway section. Encourage everyone in the group to read the material pro-
vided to them and apply at least one of the suggestions at the end of the week’s lesson.
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Close the session by praying for the marriages in the group and ask God to use His word to
strengthen their relationship with Him and one another. If possible, direct couples to pray with
one another.
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