Some of the questions open for discussion and debate include:

• Attraction: how important is it?
• When does chemistry become lust?
• How important is it that you and your mate are both striving towards the same things?
• Is there love after infidelity?
• And more!  

Wednesday evening Bible teaching

Our midweek interactive Bible teaching sessions during the month will explore biblical relationships, how they're played out and what we can learn for our relationships today.

Last week we took a look at the first romance story in the Bible between Jacob and Rachel in Genesis 29. We explored how their relationship was conducted, some of the highs and lows and some of the challenges they had to overcome to make their life together.

If you missed last Wednesday you definitely won't want to miss out next Wednesday! We start with a meal at 7.15pm.

Click here to link to the Summit on Facebook.

Join the conversation on Twitter @micahchurch #MicahLOVE.

Love & Relationships Summit  2012 Programme:

 

Sunday Service:  11.30am

 

Lunch:  1.30 - 2.30pm

 

Relationship Forum:  2.30 - 4pm 

 

Networking:  4 - 5pm

 

Wednesday evening interactive

Bible teaching: 7.15 - 9.15pm

Made for each other?

"Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers [do not make mis-mated alliances with them or come under a different yoke with them, inconsistent with your faith]. For what partnership have right living and right standing with God with iniquity and lawlessness? Or how can light have fellowship with darkness?"

- 2 Corinthians 6:14

This verse is often applied to marriage between believers and unblievers. But you can actually both be Christian - even baptised - and be unequally yoked. The results can be devastating.

The image is of two incompatible oxen sharing the same yoke. Instead of working together to pull the load, they work against each other. While this passage doesn't specifically mention marriage, it definitely has implications for marriage.

When someone says, 'I believe in Jesus', what do they really mean? Do they believe in, trust in, cling to, rely on Him (John 3:16 AMP)? What is their motivation for going to church? How does this influence their life - or not? What's important to you? How would marrying this person influence your approach to problem solving and conflict,  relationships with friends and families, raising your children, money, spiritual growth and views on physical intimacy, for starters!

Genuine love for Jesus is the best motivation for obeying His commandments. If your 'beloved' is motivated purely by a desire for you, or to win your approval, it can be very flattering. It is also idolatry, as they're seeking to please you first rather than Christ. 

Please investigate what they truly believe about relationship with God and the LORDSHIP of Jesus before you invest too much into the relationship.

How do you test this? By spending quality time with them and listening well. Ask a friend of the same sex to suss them out for you. Remain accountable and guard your heart. Set your boundaries. A person who doesn't genuinely respect your boundaries and standards doesn't respect you. They are not compatible with you and are not worthy of you - even if they've been a Christian as long as you have. By their fruit you will know them.

Janet McNish PGDip (MBACP) is a qualified counsellor and supervisor, and is a London Area Co-ordinator for the Association of Christian Counsellors.