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Scenarios for Singles

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Contents

Preface.........................................................................xvAcknowledgements................................................................xviiWays to Use This Book...........................................................xixSession 1 Doug and Danielle—Coming Clean.................................1Session 2 When Rebels Engage...................................................5Session 3 Terri and Kenneth—the Pursuit of Happiness.....................9Session 4 Derrick and Tiffany—Made for Each Other........................13Session 5 Marvin and Maria—the Complexion of Love........................17Session 6 Estelle and Stan—Hooking Up over Sixty.........................21Session 7 Angela's In-Crowd In-Laws............................................25Session 8 David and the Giant Irony............................................29Session 9 Evelyn Reaps a Bitter Harvest........................................33Session 10 Sam and Libby—That Was Then...................................37Session 11 Tammy Wants a Husband...............................................41Session 12 Felix—Honoring the Onerous....................................45Session 13 Jennifer—Deflecting the Darts of a Devil......................49Session 14 Connie's Money's Funny..............................................53Session 15 John—Love Me, Love My Son.....................................57Session 16 Jessica—Diffusing a Bombshell.................................61Session 17 The Preacher's Pride................................................65Session 18 Distinguishing and Extinguishing God's Gifts........................69Session 19 Joanne's Vicious Cycle..............................................73Session 20 Tony and a Taste of Vinegar.........................................77Session 21 Abortion—the Deliberate Death.................................81Session 22 Charlie, the Self-Appointed Magistrate..............................85Session 23 Paula and Great Expectations........................................89Session 24 Harold, Bianca, and the Bite of the Dragon..........................93Session 25 Rachel's Gift.......................................................97Session 26 Fred, the Carnal Christian..........................................101Bonus Case Eddie and Keisha—Promises and Pity............................107

Chapter One

Doug and Danielle—Coming Clean

Doug and Danielle were Christians who had been engaged for nearly two years. They attended the same Christian university and happened to meet during a Christmas party at a mutual friend's house. When they met, they hit it off immediately and were engaged within six months.

As a couple, their relationship had a solid foundation. They both shared similar outlooks on life and had good family backgrounds. They also had sound work ethics and strong ties to the church. Together they had worked hard to save money toward their projected wedding expenses and a good down payment on their dream house.

Initially, Doug was very sure of his feelings toward Danielle. She was smart, kindhearted, warm, and very loving. She was the woman he wanted as his wife and the mother of his children. He had never doubted his love for Danielle until he met her younger sister, Dana.

Doug and Dana met during Thanksgiving dinner at his future in-laws' house. When his eyes met hers, the force of his attraction literally took his breath away. Dana was stunningly beautiful. For nearly eight months afterward, he prayed and struggled with his feelings toward Dana, but they had not gone away. He didn't understand what was happening to him. He had only seen Dana four times in his life! He knew he genuinely loved Danielle, but he could not ignore his attraction for Dana any longer.

FACILITATOR: Role it and action!

DOUG: Danielle, there is something I've wanted to say to you for quite some time, but I haven't known where to start.

DANIELLE: Oh, Doug, I hope it's not bad news. The only thing that kept me going today was the thought of us having a nice, quiet dinner together.

DOUG: Really?

DANIELLE: Sweetheart, I love you so much! The idea of us being married and having our own place together is the light at the end of the tunnel for me. I love the fact that we're working together to build our future and that you're always there for me.

DOUG: Danielle, I wish I could always be here for you, but what I have to tell you isn't going to be good news. In fact, it's going to be painful.

DANIELLE: Painful? Doug, what's wrong? You're not sick, are you?

DOUG: Physically, I feel fine, Danielle, but I guess there's no other way to tell you this except for me to get right to the point. I'm sorry if this hurts you, but I've had feelings for your sister Dana since I met her at your parents' house last Thanksgiving. The truth is that I think I'm in love with her, and I can't marry you while I have such strong feelings for her.

What do we say? How might Danielle respond? (Allow Danielle's character to ad lib.) Was Doug right to go first to Danielle with his feelings, or should he have told Dana first? Was he right to share his feelings, or should he have kept quiet and waited for them to eventually go away? What's this couple's next step? Discuss.

What does the Word say? Read scriptures from: Deuteronomy 23:21–23; Numbers 30:2; Matthew 5:33–37; Proverbs 3:3–8, 12:22, 13:5, 20:6; Ecclesiastes 5:1–2, 4–6; Romans 12:9–10, 12:17–18; 1 Corinthians 10:12–13, 23–24; James 5:16; Colossians 4:6; Philippians 4:13; and 1 Peter 3:10–11.

Determine which scriptures apply to each person involved in this case. Can you think of any scriptures to add? In the notes section below, write down your preferred scripture regarding this situation. Memorize it.

Notes ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

Chapter Two

When Rebels Engage

Cheryl divorced her ex-husband Larry, exactly eight months, four days and thirteen hours ago. Her parents were right about him, but at the time she didn't care. She was in love. So she ignored their warnings and married him. He was not a Christian but he was a good man; so she thought. Once he put the wedding band on her finger, she was quickly introduced to the real Larry. Like the devil parading himself as an angel of light, he had concealed his true nature before they were married.

She tried to be a good wife, but he never appreciated her. He beat her, demeaned her, and scorned her belief in Christ. He taunted and humiliated her mercilessly in front of their children and his wisecracking friends. She came to the point where she hated her life. If it were not for her daughters, she couldn't have found the strength to keep going. She finally left him. She could not tolerate his cruel and oppressive behavior any longer.

Then she met Garrett, a kind, well-educated man who returned to his hometown after being away for twenty years. He was the district manager of a chain of upscale men's clothing stores and had recently joined the church where...