Laying a Foundation for an Enduring Marriage

Introduction:

The problems attacking home & family visibly escalated over last half of 20^th Century. Problems and needs confronting today’s marriages are greatly increased over years past. We can’t turn back the clock. So how must we deal with it?  We must deal with the issues that attack and destroy the relationship. That’s why this series of lessons of vital importance. Today, we want to equip believers with basic skills & understandings necessary for a successful marriage relationship. What is required? What is needed to make marriages enduring?

I.  An Accurate Definition of Marital ______________________.

A.     Success is not the mere refusal to __________________.

B.     Ideal companionship is rare in marriage.

C.     Must work toward marriages which share the highest quality of:

1.      ____________; compassion; caring; support; understanding;

2.      trust; __________________; reliability; love; appreciation

D.     How does a couple reach this point?

1.      There must be a __________ ____________ to improve the relationship. 

2.      Eph. 5:33 – applies to the hus/wife relationship

3.      Mt. 7:12 – treat hus/wife as you prefer to be treated.

4.      Phil. 4:6 - Constantly ________ for guidance; wisdom; and understanding.

E.     Do you have confidence in God’s principles?

II. Develop _________________________ Love

A.     Some have a self centered & conditional love.  Failed expectations…

B.     Eph. 5:22-25 – Christ’s love for the church was/is unconditional.

1.      did not love us because we loved Him _________ – 1 Jhn. 4:9-11

C.     Unconditional love is not a love of _________________________.

1.      It is a love of deliberate ____________________. 1 Cor. 13:4-7

III. ________________ to build a successful relationship.

A.     Husbands:  learn how to be God’s kind of husband.

1.      1 Pet 2:21-22 – lead from a standpoint of ________ ____________.

2.      Lk. 9:23 - Work to be positively _______________ with your family.

3.      Mt. 20:28 - Lead by ___________________

4.      1 Pet. 3:7 - lead by tender ________________________

B.     Wives…learn how to be God’s kind of wife:

1.      1 Pet. 3:1-6; Gen. 12:5

a)      Submission simply means to acknowledge/____________ God’s designated line of authority.

2.      Heb. 12:2 - When you respond – do it __________________.

3.      Phil. 2:9 – submission results in ___________________.

IV. Build your _________________________ skills.

A.     How strong are your communication skills?

B.     Do you listen to gain __________________________? Js. 1:19

C.     Do you watch ________________ you say things?

D.     Have you taken the _______________ to get to know your spouse?

Conclusion:

God's highest object in marriage is ____________________________.
All of this starts with a relationship with God.  Do you need to obey the gospel?