Joshua’s Men - Books

~Renewing the Mind~

The Complete Husband

by Lou Priolo

(Chapters 8 to the End)

Question/Application Sheet

Chapter 8 – Pleasing Possibilities

  1. How willing are you to lay aside your rights and freedoms to please your wife? Are there things you know you could do that would please your wife? Before your next Joshua’s Men meeting, do some of them. How did it feel for you? How did your wife respond?
  1. “When you don’t please your wife, it’s probably because you’re being selfish.” How do you feel about this statement? Would you say that’s a true statement in your own life?
  1. Begin to fill in the lists, “Things that are important to my wife”

…and, “Things I can do that please my wife”

Chapter 9 – “Honey, You Need a Bath”

  1. What do the following verses say about spending time in the Word?
  • Psalm 19:7 –
  • Matthew 4:4 –
  • I Peter 2:2 –
  • II Corinthians 3:18 –

Why is spending time in the Word important to our relationship with our spouses?

  1. William Gouge, in his treatise, “Of Domestical Duties” says that “[husbands] must endeavor with all the wit and wisdom they have, to make [their wives] worthy of love.” Have you ever thought of making your wife worthy of love as your responsibility? How does this relate to the Gospel?
  1. Read Lou Priolo’s challenge at the end of Chapter 9, what are some specific ways that you can start to fortify your wife and marriage? (there is a listing of some ideas on pages 162 and 163).

Chapter10–Sexual Relations in Marriage

  1. Read Proverbs 5:18-19. How does, “being exhilarated always with her love” protect your marriage? And just so we don’t forget our responsibility the author points out two ways to avoid fornication on page 172. What are those two ways?
  1. When it comes to sex, the world always seems to be screaming, “MORE”! What are some of the Biblical principles for sexual relations with your spouse?
  1. I have noticed that my sexual desire can be easily influenced by the things I see and hear. In what ways do you need to guard your heart and mind, so that you do not manufacture an even stronger desire for sex.
  1. Read Proverbs 7. What wisdom and insight do you gain from that passage?
  1. Ask your wife some of the questions on page 180, “Questions I Would Like to Ask Her”. Without sharing any specifics be prepared to share with your group how that conversation went.

Chapter 11 - Protecting Your Wife from Danger

  1. What do the following verses say about influence?
  • I Corinthians 15:33 –
  • Proverbs 13:20 –
  • Proverbs 22:24-25 –
  • I Corinthians 5:6 –

How are you surrounding your family with Godly influences? Are there any influences that you need to lessen or remove completely?

  1. Pages 196 – 200 list “Other Potential Areas of Danger”. Choose three of these areas and write down what you learn from the associated Scripture to share with your group.
  1. Spend time with your wife talking about this chapter and then go through the final exercise with her, indentifying her potential dangers and how you can protect her.

Chapter 12 - How Much is She Worth to You?

  1. How could you honor your wife more? If you need some ideas, look at the list on pages 210-211.
  1. Write out I Peter 3:7. How does this verse speak to you?

Chapter 13 - “Me, a Spiritual Leader?”

  1. Define Spiritual Leadership, specifically as it relates to being the leader of your home. What Scripture supports your definition?
  1. List at least 3 specific ways you can begin to serve your wife.

Chapter 14 - Hang in There

  1. Read I Corinthians 10:13. What are some important points that you draw out of that verse as it relates to trials and temptation in marriage?
  1. Have you ever felt like your struggle against temptation or trial made it too hard to keep fighting? What does Hebrews 12:3-4 have to say about that?

Wrap-Up

  1. I hope that this book has brought to light various passages of the Word that will encourage, strengthen, change, and grow your marriage. I also hope that you have gained some wisdom that you could share with friends or Life Group members to encourage them in their marriages. What are some key points from the book that you’ll be likely to reiterate to others?
  1. Let me challenge you to commit to re-reading this book in another 6 months to a year. Your wife will thank you. 

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