God and Family Series - 1-Marriage as Covenant - Study Questions

Sep 26, 2026

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God and Family Series provides guided study questions for small groups on Christian themes of marriage, family peace, belonging and disability inclusion, and God’s design for sex and children. It anchors each series in specific Bible passages (Malachi, Genesis, John, Ephesians, Luke, Isaiah, Corinthians) and prompts reflection on covenant faithfulness, reconciliation, forgiveness, speech, reconciliation steps, and practical actions for the week. The material concludes with discussion prompts about children as God’s plan and God’s blessing.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryReligion & Spirituality

FormatPDF

Pages6

Reading Time15 min

AccessFree to download

God and Family Series #1 - Marriage as Covenant

Malachi 2:13-16 - Covenant and faithful worship

God and Family Series #2 - Changing Times, Unchanging Peace - God’s Peace within Family

John 14:27 - Peace, forgiveness, and household practices

God and Family Series #3 - Are We a Burden or a Blessing?

Luke 14:1-6 - Inclusion, belonging, and contribution

God and Family Series #4 – God’s Design for Sex

Genesis 2:18-25 - Covenant intimacy and honoring Christ

God and Family Series #5 – Children In God’s Plan

Genesis 1:28 - God’s blessing and heritage

God and Family Series \#1-Marriage as Covenant Malachi 2:13-16 1. What do you think is the “secret” to a long and happy marriage? Read Genesis 2:19-24 2. How is God the originator of the marriage covenant? Read Malachi 2:10-16 3. From Malachi 2:14 , what does it mean for a man and a woman to be united in marriage before God’s witness? Read Ephesians 5:22-33 4. What does it mean to act as Christ loves, “for a man to love his wife as himself and for a woman to respect her husband?” 5. What does remaining faithful in marriage have to do with our worship? (Mal 2:14) If it is helpful, break into smaller groups or into gender groups for this question. 6. God works to bring reconciliation and restoration in marriages, even out of separation and brokenness. Is there something that you desire for God bring into your marriage (or the marriage of someone you know who’s going through marital distress)? Share as you’re comfortable and pray for one another. God and Family Series \#2 - Changing Times, Unchanging Peace -God’s Peace within Family John 14:27 1. Why do you think family is both the place of greatest love and greatest hurt? In what ways have life’s challenges created tension or division in your family? 2. What is the difference between the peace the world gives and the peace Jesus gives? Why does Jesus command us,“Do not let your hearts be troubled”? What does this imply about our role? In what areas of your life are you relying on temporary peace instead of God’s lasting peace? How can we practically “receive”and “walk in” the peace that Jesus has already given? 3. Why is unforgiveness described as a “silent poison”? What makes forgiveness so difficult in family relationships? Is there someone in your family you need to forgive or reconcile with to restore peace? 4. How do words shape the atmosphere of a home? Have you ever experienced the impact of harsh words versus gentle words? What does the “burnt toast” illustration teach about protecting relationships? 5. What does a “peaceful dwelling place” (Isaiah 32:18) look like in practical, everyday family life? What are common behaviours or attitudes that disrupt peace at home? How can each family member take responsibility for contributing to peace? What habits (prayer, communication, forgiveness) help build a “secure home”? 6. Which of the 5 areas (presence, forgiveness, submission, love, unity) do you need to grow in? What is one step you can take this week to bring peace to your home? God and Family Series \#3-Are We a Burden or a Blessing? Luke 14:1-6 1. Our church’s vision is to "Nourished to Flourish," reaching out to every generation. The sermon challenged us that "the gospel is for all”. Who are the people in your immediate circles—family, workplace, neighbourhood—who might be the "1 in 6"living with a disability, and how connected are they to a church or a community where they can be nourished? 2. The father of the young man with autism said, "Even God doesn't want him." That conclusion came from an experience with the church. What does that challenge you to think about the way you personally represent God to those around you? 3. We see how the act of reading the Bible aloud as a group can lead to some people feeling excluded or embarrassed. Have you ever felt excluded by a practice that"works for most people"? Or have you been in a situation where you unintentionally made someone else feel that way? 4. Mitchell's story of belonging at St James' Church began with one person willing to share a meal with him. What is one small, concrete step you could take this week to extend belonging to someone who might feel unseen or left out? 5. The sermon introduced the ABCs of disability inclusion: Accessibility, Belonging, and Contribution. Reflecting on our church and your Life Group, which of these three do you think we do well, and which needs the most attention? What would growth in that area look like for us specifically? Go

FAQs

What passages guide the study on marriage as covenant in Series #1?

Series #1 centers on Malachi 2:13-16 and also points to Genesis 2:19-24, Malachi 2:10-16, and Ephesians 5:22-33 for understanding covenant unity before God.

How does Series #2 distinguish the peace Jesus gives from the peace the world gives?

Series #2 uses John 14:27 to contrast Jesus’ enduring peace with temporary peace. It asks how hearts should not be troubled and how to practically receive and walk in the peace Christ already gives.

What does Series #4 teach about sex in relation to marriage and Christ?

Series #4 draws on Genesis 2:18-25 and Ephesians 5:31-32, presenting sexual intimacy within the marriage covenant. It further connects marriage’s meaning to the relationship between Christ and the Church and calls believers to honor God with their bodies.

Sep 26, 2026

Upload by moss~