CONVERSATION STARTERS:
Conversation Starters help us dig deeper, connecting Sunday’s sermons with our Monday lives. These prompts have been designed to help Community Groups grow in their relationship with God, with one another, and with their neighbors. Please know that these questions are meant to be a resource to you. You do not have to follow them verbatim or get through them all. We trust you to know your group and to ask the questions based on your group needs.

1. Everyone has words or phrases that drive us crazy or set our teeth on edge. What are they for you?

2. What is your knee jerk reaction when you hear the word “submit?” Why do you think this word provokes a strong response in many people?

3. Read Ephesians 5:22-23 and pause for a minute. Now read Ephesians 5:20-33. Does reading the broader context change how you view verses 22-23?

4. Have you previously encountered the concept that human marriage is a picture of the heavenly marriage between Christ and the church? How does looking at marriage merely through the lens of culture or romance fall short of what Paul is showing us is the purpose of marriage?

5. Paul tells the Ephesians in verse 5:21 to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. What role does humility and deference to others play in our lives? How can this kind of life point others to the gospel?

6. Read Philippians 2:3-11. We are to be imitators of God. In what ways does Christ’s example inspire us to elevate others above ourselves?

PRAYER PROMPT:
Praise Jesus for giving himself up for the church - for us. Pray for the humility and love to give ourselves back to Christ in joyful service.

Title: This Mystery Is Profound
Scripture: Ephesians 5:22-33
Speaker: Andrew Jones, AndrewJ@cckc.church

> Marriage is a story that’s not about you, and that is good news.

> The story of marriage is a subversive story.

"Paul’s instruction, therefore, is radically subversive. Where there are hierarchical relationships, Paul addresses the subordinate members first, giving them unprecedented dignity. They are full and equal participants in the people of God. In contemporary visions of ancient society, these members are not addressed. They appear only as objects of control by the patriarch. But among God’s new people, there is no place for control, domination, manipulation or exploitation. Rather, mutual respect and service is to be the norm." - Timothy Gombis

"The fundamental nature of the reversal is critical. It would have struck Paul’s audience not only as odd but even more so against nature. The sacrifice of the head would be suicidal for the entire body… " - Michelle Lee-Barnewall

> The story of marriage is a sacrificial story.

> The marriage story is a good news story.