Oct 23 2023 From Thought to Action: Chapter 15
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Before we begin, remember…making disciples can be as easy as reading a chapter of The Four Priorities and discussing it with someone else. This blog series is designed to supplement your journey. Feel free to take what you need and leave the rest! And remember, please share this post with your disciple so they can subscribe, too!
KEY QUOTES from Chapter 15: Making Your Marriage Sizzle (Part 1)
The truth is, good marriages don’t just happen. A good marriage is built over time as husband and wife work in partnership to take what they have and then create something mutually satisfying.
Women want “details because she enjoys the process of communicating as a way to feel connection with her husband.” For men, the “content of communication is primary.”
By understanding how God created men and women to deal with emotions differently, a husband and wife can learn how to meet one another’s needs without criticism.
When a husband and wife understand their differences, they can learn how to leverage their combined strengths.
Making your marriage sizzle requires:
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- Commitment – “God views marriage as a life-long commitment”
- Communication – 6 ways words get lost in the fog
- What you mean to say
- What you actually say
- What the other person hears
- What the other person thinks he hears
- What the other person says about what you said
- What you think the other person said about what you said
REFLECT: How are you doing in your marriage? What can you do today, this week to love your spouse and improve your communication?
PRAY: We have a tendency to overcomplicate things – especially our prayers! One way to simplify your prayer life is to pick two phrases or truths from scripture and attach them to your breath pattern. As you inhale, internally say the 1st phrase. As you exhale, say the 2nd phrase. This prayer is from Psalm 141:3
INHALE: Take control of what I say
EXHALE: Guard my lips today
MEMORIZE: Take this week to memorize Genesis 2:24-25 with your household. Write it on a sticky note to place on your car dashboard, your bathroom mirror, or wherever you will view it often.
Genesis 2:24-25 “This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one. Now the man and his wife were both naked, but they felt no shame.”
WORSHIP: Listen to this song called Jesus Firm Foundation by Shane and Shane.
TABLE TALK: The more we spend time with people, the more our language and mannerisms begin to look similar. Go around the table one night during dinner and ask each person to give their best impression of the other people in the family.
TEACH/PLAY:
Ask your kids:
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- Why do you think marriage is so important?
- What good things come from marriage?
- Why do you think God made marriage to be between a man and a woman?
- How do you see Mommy and Daddy having fun?
Check out this family resource for more fun ideas! In This House, We Will Giggle: Making Virtues, Love, and Laughter a Daily Part of Your Family Life by Courtney DeFeo.
Priority 3 Introduction: Your purpose in life is to love Jesus (Matthew 22:37-39). That purpose is supposed to permeate every area of your life and should be lived out in relationships. Are you loving people? Are you caring deeply for other people?
How to Make Your Marriage Sizzle:
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- Clearly communicate your expectations/desires. Don’t expect your spouse to be a mind reader.
- Your spouse cannot meet all of your needs all of the time. Only Jesus will. Seek Him first and look to Him to meet your needs (Matthew 6:33).
- Take a moment alone with the Lord and ask Him if you are being the type of spouse He wants you to be. If you are single, ask Him if you are being the type of friend He wants you to be. Listen, repent, and restore where necessary in your relationships.
That’s it for Chapter 15!
Now…go! And make disciples!