Today’s Lesson – May 8, 2016 Life Changes for Couples The Emotional/Spiritual Principle

Life Changes for Couples by James M. Reeves A Biblical 12-Step Journey for Marriage Enrichment

The Book Process Instruction Introspection Interaction A Texas 2-Step The Challenge Identified The Step Explained A Tool Box The means to remember A picture to support Table Talk Bringing it home Making it real

Freedom Group Guidelines  Anonymity – protect identities  Confidentiality – said at table stays at table  Self-Focus – this is self-help not fix others  Respect – we are all messes so be respectful  Letting God Work – share you do not preach at them  Limited Sharing – be aware of others’ need to share  Allowance of feelings – deal with them kindly  Regular Attendance – showing up matters  Listening – do we need a talking stick?  Staying on subject – rabbit holes are for hunting rabbits

Principle: Your spiritual maturity will never go beyond your emotional maturity.  Your spiritual growth will never go beyond your emotional growth  You can never have a more intimate relationship with God than you are capable of having with other people  Your level of emotional maturity will always create a being for your spiritual maturity  If you desire to grow deeper in an intimate relationship to the heavenly Father, you must grow in your capacity to have a deeper intimate, soul-to-soul relationship with others

Spiritual Maturity  What is Your Definition?  How does it manifest itself?

You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you: “This people honors Me with their lips but their heart is far away from Me. But in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.” Matthew 15: 7 -9

Spiritual Maturity: An increasing capacity to have an intimate relationship with the heavenly Father

Emotional Maturity  What is Your Definition?  How does it manifest itself?

Emotional Maturity: An increasing capacity to experience and maintain intimate relationships with other people.

Table Talk - Read and Discuss  I John 4:7-8, 20  Matthew 5:  Matthew 6:12  Corinthians 3: 1 - 3

Emotional Immaturity  Is rooted in wounds we suffer  Often happen early on - in childhood  Emotional healing releases these burdens  The poison is healed by the antibiotic of emotional healing as we release anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness  Healing – opens us up to new possibilities in relationships with others - and most importantly - with God

Table Talk  Share a personal story of emotional healing  Discuss a Biblical emotional healing story

GRACE FAITH PEACE LOVE FELLOWSHIP WORSHIP

Table Talk (with your spouse only)  What are some ways you have been emotionally wounded?  What have been some of the relational results you have seen in your marriage?  What is the most important thing you have learned in this chapter?

Homework What is the most important thing about you that relates to this chapter you are going to share with your spouse this week?

Prayer Time  Pray for your marriage  Pray for your spouse – no 'fix them' prayers  Pray for Team Mates – arm us for spiritual warfare  Pray for yourself – seek to realize your need for healing and seek God to be healed

May 15th Life Change for Couples Chapter 3 The Pile Principle