The Love Dare Bible Study - Session 1, Part 1

Leading Your Heart

Ignite

1. The Fireproof movie is a major part of our time together. If a movie were to be made about your life, what genre would it be? Why?

___Thriller ___Action/Adventure ___Tragedy ___Horror        

___Drama ___Romantic Comedy ___Love Story

Who would play you? ______________________

Who would play your spouse? _______________________

(No bad casting allowed!)

Humorous episodes…dramatic scenes…thrilling mysteries still unfolding – we're all in different "acts" and "scenes" in our marriages. No matter where you are or where you think you or your spouse ought to be, you have been invited into a unique and life-changing process: a journey of exploring and demonstrating genuine love, even when your desire is dry and your motives are low.

Moment-by-moment, it seems, our culture bombards us with different messages about love.

2. In General, what do you think our society is saying to us about what love is? About following our hearts?

What phrases, titles, or situations from media (songs, movies, TV) promote the idea of following your heart?

"If love is just this overwhelming emotion that we can do absolutely nothing about, then no marriage is safe" – Voddie Baucham

When you think about the state of your own heart right now, which of these words come to mind?

___cold ___cynical ___open ___joyful ___weary ___angry ___exhilarated other:______________

According to James 3:14-15, how might an angry or bitter heart take an individual (and a marriage) in the wrong direction?

"But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic." (NKJ)

Following our hearts would be good if our hearts were always loving, in tune with God and desirous of the right thing. However, since as humans we are self-centered, prideful, and often deceived, following our hearts may not always lead us to do the right thing.

Describe a time you followed your heart and regretted it later.

Gear Up

(Movie clip 1)

3. In your opinion, what does Caleb Holt believe it means to be "in love"?

4. Why do you think Lieutenant Michael Simmons said, "When most people promise, 'for better or for worse', they really only mean, 'for the better'?"

5. Think back to your wedding day and the exchange of rings and vows. Were you committing to love your spouse unconditionally, for a lifetime? How's it going?

Following our hearts often means chasing after whatever feels right at the moment. Our emotions and feelings can be deceptive, leading us down the wrong path. Proverbs 16:25 cautions: "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." (NKJ)

Your heart follows your investments because your investments are those things in which you pour your time, money, and energy. It makes sense that they will draw your heart because your investments reflect your priorities.

6. If last week was typical for you, use it to evaluate your investments. In which of these areas did you invest significant time, energy, or money? Try to recall actual percentages of time spent and related activities.

___Job ___Hobby (specify) ___Retirement ___Spouse

___Children ___Church ___Friends ___Status/Wealth

-How does your actual use of time, energy, and money match your stated priorities?

(Movie Clip 2)

7. Based on Michael's advice to Caleb, what had Michael learned about the heart?

Leading your heart
means:

-Taking full responsibility for your heart's condition and direction.

-Realizing that you have control over where your heart is.

-Asking God for the power to guard or protect your heart by taking it off the wrong things and setting it on the right things.

If you choose to lead your heart to invest in your spouse, then your spouse is more likely to become your treasure.

8. In the above list, circle the action(s) you will try. Pray about the italicized statement.

Love is a decision and not just a feeling. It is selfless, sacrificial, and transformational. And when love is truly demonstrated as it was intended, your relationship can change for the better.

-Additional "Leading your heart" scriptures:

1 Kings 8:61        Proverbs 23:17, 19, 26    John 14:27-28        

Philippians 2:3    2 Timothy 2:22        James 4:8, 5:8