This Momentary Marriage by John Piper
Week 5: Chapter 4 — Pursuing Conformity to Christ in the Covenant
Read Chapter 4 of This Momentary Marriage. Key Scripture: Romans 8:28–29; Ephesians 5:25–27.
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Piper makes a provocative claim in this chapter: God's ultimate goal for your marriage is not your happiness but your holiness — and surprisingly, that is the better news.
Discussion Questions
8 questions1.Piper argues that marriage is one of God's primary tools for conforming us to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). What does this suggest about why marriage is hard? Does difficulty in marriage automatically mean something has gone wrong?
2.The popular view of marriage holds that a good marriage is one in which both partners are happy and fulfilled. Piper's view holds that a good marriage is one in which both partners are becoming more like Christ. Are these in tension, or can they be reconciled? How?
3.Piper uses Ephesians 5:25–27 to show that Christ's goal for his bride is not her comfort but her holiness — he gave himself for her 'that he might sanctify her.' How does a husband imitating this kind of sacrificial, sanctifying love look practically? What does it require that is costly or counter-cultural?
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