Love Your Kids | Ephesians 6:1-4

The month of February is a time when love is in the air! "I love you" might be the most sentence in the English language... in any language. For the month of February we're focusing in on love. We're doing a sermon series titled: "I love you". In this series we'll look at four unique relationships: Loving God, loving others, loving our spouse, and loving our kids. It seemed like a great idea to share the small group questions here incase you'd like to study one of these topics more. 

Small Group Questions | Love Your Kids | Ephesians 6:1-4

This month, we’re dedicating our time to exploring Biblical love. On Sunday, we talked  about the role of love in parenting: a calling that requires patience, guidance, and grace. In Ephesians 6:1-4, Paul teaches that parenting is about both instruction and nurture, balancing discipline with encouragement. Just as God lovingly leads us, parents are called to lead their children with wisdom, consistency, and a heart that reflects Christ’s love. Parenting can look different for everyone. Our church includes people in various stages of life: parents, grandparents, future parents, and those who support families. As you discuss, please be mindful and sensitive to each person’s experiences.

1) What is one moment from your childhood when you felt deeply loved by a parent or guardian? What specifically made you feel loved? How can we apply those principles in our own parenting or relationships? 

2) Read Ephesians 6:1-3. Paul connects obedience to parents with enjoying long life.  Thinking about your relationship with your parents, how have you seen obedience their instruction in your life lead to blessings in your life?

3) The New Testament offers us a variety of examples of parenting. Read Matthew 3:16-17. At the baptism of Jesus we read about an affirming time for Jesus. Talk about the power of encouraging our children. 

4) Read Ephesians 6:4 and Colossians 3:21. Paul warns fathers not to exasperate their children. What are some ways that parents (or authority figures) can unintentionally discourage or embitter children?

5) In the sermon we learned about three ways to ruin a child: Being Overbearing, Being Permissive, or Being Inconsistent. How does your parenting impact your children? Have you modeled a consistent parenting style?

6) Read Deut 6:4-9. Moses instructed God’s people to impress these commandments on their children. What are ways we can enter into spiritual conversations this week? What one thing do you want to focus on this week? 

7) In Matthew 17:14-20 we learned about a father who was willing to do anything for his son and desperate for life change. What is one way you can bring your children to the feet of Jesus this week to be in His presence? 

Close your time in prayer. Pray for strength to invite a friend to meet Jesus. 

Love Your Spouse | Ephesians 5:21-33

The month of February is a time when love is in the air! "I love you" might be the most sentence in the English language... in any language. For the month of February we're focusing in on love. We're doing a sermon series titled: "I love you". In this series we'll look at four unique relationships: Loving God, loving others, loving our spouse, and loving our kids. It seemed like a great idea to share the small group questions here incase you'd like to study one of these topics more. 

Small Group Questions | Love Your Spouse | Ephesians 5:21-33

This month, we’re dedicating our time to exploring Biblical love. On Sunday, we focused on the marriage relationship, which requires submission, sacrifice, and communication—exactly what Paul teaches in Ephesians 5:21-33. This passage can sometimes make people uncomfortable because of its discussion on submission, but when we view it through the lens of Christ’s love, we see that submission isn’t about power, it’s about serving one another with humility and love. Since our church is comprised of people in various stages of life and relationships, some questions may resonate more than others. As you discuss, please be mindful and sensitive to each person’s experiences.

1) The sermon started with a viral story about Otou Katayama who acted extremely childish in his marriage. What are some childish things you’ve seen couples do in their relationship that leaves you shaking your head?  

2) Read Ephesians 5:21. Paul commands married couples to submit to each other out of reverence for Christ. The word submit can get a bad reputation in marriage. How can married couples show a profound respect for each other? 

3) To fully understand the marriage relationship we need to look back to creation. Read Genesis 1:26-27 and 2:20-25. Focusing on these two verses, what do we learn about the way God created mankind in His imagine and the role of marriage?  

4) In Acts we learned about the couple Priscilla and Aquila. Read Acts 18:1-3 and 18-19. What lessons can we draw from this married couple about supporting each other in the gifting God has given to husbands and wives? 

5) Scripture provides us some cautionary tales of marriage. David and Michal’s marriage is one that lacked spiritual unity. Read 1 Samuel 19:10-17 and 2 Samuel 6:16-23. What can we learn from this couple about having a healthy marriage? 

6) Read Ephesians 5:22-33. Paul teaches married couples how to interact with each other in a Godly way. As a group, pull out several examples of what a healthy marriage looks like and discuss how you could move in that relational direction. 

7) For those who are married, come up with a list of several ways you can love and respect your spouse this week. Examples can range from praying for each other, reading Scripture together, or planning a date. 

Close your time in prayer. Pray for strength to invite a friend to meet Jesus.