Message Notes for September 25, 2022
Series: Intimacy
Title: Spiritual Intimacy

The pathway to a beautiful intimacy with our spouse begins with an abiding intimacy with our Creator.

Spiritual intimacy is the foundation in which all other forms of intimacy find their place.

Colossians 1:15-17 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

The first step toward spiritual intimacy is a step toward Jesus!
John 15:4-5 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing
John 6:35, John 6:51, Isaiah 55:2, Psalms 34:8

Invite Jesus to be in the center of your marriage and your family.
Ephesians 5: 18b-20 …be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Make Jesus your unified mission.
Genesis 1:27-28 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Connect with Spiritual Mentors to help in your walk with Jesus and each other.
1 Corinthians 11:1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
Proverbs 15:22 Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.

Additional Notes:

Family/Group Study Notes for the week of September 25, 2022
Series: Intimacy
Title Spiritual Intimacy

Share with each other the key take-aways from the past three messages on Safe Space, Physical and Emotional Intimacy. What is the most important first step for you in these areas? What commitment do you want to make to yourself and/or your spouse as you move forward in your growth toward intimacy?
What stood out to you the most from the message on Spiritual Intimacy? Why? What first step commitment can you make to yourself and/or spouse to grow in this area? Discuss with each other how you can follow through with this commitment.
Read Ephesians 5:18-33. How does Paul describe the spiritual intimacy of marriage? How would this kind of connection to Jesus allow for the ability to love in this way? In verses 18-20, Paul describes a Christian household living out spiritual intimacy. What might this look like in your home? What steps could you take to engage with your spouse, family, friends to have this kind of daily joy with Jesus? How would this daily discipline impact your life together and experience with others through the day?
Read Genesis 1:27-28. God sent humanity on mission to serve God in every aspect of life. They were to live on the earth in step with God’s design and will. Read Matthew 6:9-15. How does this prayer Jesus teaches His followers to pray align with Genesis 1: 27-28? What would your family on mission together look like? How could you align your whole family to live this out each day? What would need to take place in the morning? What would your evening look like together? What would your children need to know and understand? How would this affect the decisions and directions of you and your spouse or you and your friends?
Pray for each other for the strength and accountability to put into practice the things you have learned in this intimacy series.