Message Notes for January 16, 2022
Series: Restoring Joy!
Title: Restoring the Joy of My Marriage

Why is marriage so hard?
Romans 7:15
Romans 7:20

God promises victory!
1 John 3:8
1 Corinthians 15:57

Joy comes FROM the Holy Spirit.
1 Peter 1:8
John 16:24

Recognize the real enemy.
Ephesians 6:12

Ephesians 5:22-33
“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church… let the wife see that she respects her husband.”

Personal Notes:

Family/Group Study Notes for the Week of January 16, 2022
Series: Restoring Joy!
Title: Restoring the Joy of My Marriage

How have you experienced a loss of joy in your marriage over the last few years? What affected your level of joy?
How is your relationship with Jesus? How much time do you spend daily/weekly with God in prayer, in the Word, or in worship? If our relationship with Jesus isn’t thriving, our relationship with our spouse definitely won’t be either. Take time to pray and talk to God. Ask forgiveness for times you’ve distanced yourself from Him or not put Him first in your life.
Read Genesis 3. How did Satan harm the relationship between Adam and Eve? How did Satan affect the relationship between Adam and Eve with God? How do you see Satan creeping in and affecting your relationship with God and with your spouse today? What are examples of Satan tainting the joy of your marriage?
What are the obstacles in your marriage that you need to restore in order to find complete joy again? Look internally, what parts of your own sinful nature are standing in the way of you being able to have joy in your marriage? Are there things that you have been avoiding talking about with your spouse that need to be brought to the surface in order to restore joy in your relationship?
Read Ephesians 5:22-33. This passage says that husbands should love their wives and wives should respect their husbands. Discuss within your group, what do you see the difference is between love and respect? For women, it is naturally easier to love. For men, it is naturally easier to respect. How must we shift our mindset in order to love/respect our spouse in the way he/she needs?
Gather in small groups and pray for each other.