This week, we are concluding our series Take a Vow, where we are talking about how to honor God in our marriages. For some, change, restoration, or growth in their marriage or another relationship that has been broken seems impossible. There is hope for restoration in even the most broken relationships because, as we were reminded during the weekend message, nothing is impossible with God.
How have you seen God bring healing in a previously broken relationship?
1. Read Revelation 2:2-5. What did Christ have against the church in Ephesus?
Revelation 2:2-5
2“I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. 3 You have patiently suffered for me without quitting. 4 “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! 5 Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches.
2. What did Christ call the church to do in light of “forsaking their first love?” (Pay attention here; there are multiple answers to this question!)
3. Read Luke 15:11-24, which records a parable told by Jesus in order to teach us something about God. How had the younger son in this story broken his relationship with his father?
Luke 15:11-24
11 To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons. 12 The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons. 13 “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. 14 About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. 15 He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. 16 The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything. 17 “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, 19 and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.” ’ 20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. 21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’ 22 “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 23 And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, 24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.
4. What do we learn about when we return to God based on this passage of Scripture?
1. How would turning back to Christ, our first love, and “doing the works you did at first” impact your relationships, especially your marriage?
2. After turning back to Christ, what would it look like to apply the instructions in Revelation 2:1-5 to our broken relationships, especially our marriages?
3. What does Luke 15:11-24 teach about potential for restoration, both in our relationships with God and others?
When we follow Christ’s call in Revelation 2:1-5 to return back to Him, our first love, all of our relationships, including our marriages, are impacted for the better. What is one step you can take to return to Christ this week? Maybe you can commit to daily Scripture reading by following one of our Bible reading plans on the Sagebrush app. Maybe you can commit to prayer, daily talking to God. Maybe you can take a step and serve during one of the weekend services. Whatever that looks like for you, commit to taking that step this week in order to return to God. As you return to Him, you will see growth in your relationships, too.
Restoration in our relationships begins with us. We cannot change other people, but we can take responsibility for ourselves and our own actions. If we want restoration in our relationships, we must take responsibility for our mistakes and recognize areas where we need to grow, confess our sins, and seek to, with God’s help, live differently. Let’s take a look at what Scripture teaches about taking these steps to grow in our relationships.
If we want to see restoration in relationships, we have to focus on ourselves and how we can grow rather than the mistakes of others. We have to recognize the roles we have played in those broken relationships. When we recognize our own mistakes and our own sins, we can start to make changes.
1. Read Psalm 139:23-24.
Psalm 139:23-24
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
2. In your own words, summarize David’s request in this Psalm.
3. What happens when we allow God to know and search our hearts and point out any sin, based on this passage of Scripture?
4. How would taking time to examine your own heart impact your relationships for the better?
After we examine our own hearts, it is important for us to confess our sin, both to God and to those whom we have hurt. We have to admit our sins and mistakes and say, “I am sorry.” Confession is essential if we want restoration and healing in our relationships.
1. Read James 5:16.
James 5:16
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
2. Why is confessing our sin essential in our relationships?
3. What happens when we confess our sin, according to this passage of Scripture?
4. How have you experienced the benefits of confessing sin and wrongdoings in your own life?
After acknowledging our sin and then confessing our wrongdoings, the next step is repentance. We have to literally change our direction and live differently. We have to turn away from our sin and back toward God. As we do, we will find restoration in our relationships.
1. Read Proverbs 28:13.
Proverbs 28:13
People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.
2. Along with confessing our sins, what does this passage of Scripture call us to do?
3. What does it look like in our world today to turn from our sins and wrongdoings?
4. Why is repentance key in restoring relationships?
Take a few moments to reflect on the Scripture you read today.
1. When it comes to your relationships right now, what step do you need to take: Search your heart and recognize your sins, confess your sins, or repent of your sins? Why?
2. How might taking that step impact your relationships?
After everyone has shared, pray together. Ask God to give you all the courage to take these steps toward restoration in your relationships today.
©2025 Sagebrush Church
