MARRIAGE – BRIAN & JANINE WEAVER
Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness…
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them, male and female he created them.
Genesis 1:26a, 27
The Firm Foundation
Mysterious Marriage Math
Not so Secret Cycle
The Firm Foundation: A Jesus-centered Marriage
A Jesus-centered Marriage
To build a strong marriage, we need to place Jesus at the very center of how we live and related to each other.
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
Matthew 7:24-27
Praying for our spouse and marriage transforms us, centers us, softens us, and refocuses us.
Mysterious Marriage Math: 1 + 1 = 1.
1 + 1 = 1
That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh”
Genesis 2:24
1 + 1 = 1
“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” 32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.
Ephesians 5:31-32
1 + 1 = 1
The Identity Question
1 + 1 = 1
Teamwork
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another…”
Proverbs 27:17
1+1=1
Intimacy
We can build stronger marriages by investing in three areas:
1. Relationship to our spouses
2. Our relationship together in Christ
3. Our own personal development
The not-so-Secret Cycle: Love and Respect
However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
Ephesians 5:33
We can ask ourselves: How can I show more love and be more loving?
Will what I am about to say or do feel disrespectful?
Ask your spouse these questions:
"When I talk to you, how can I communicate with more respect and love?"
"How can I come across as more loving and respectful?"
Foundation and Focus: Christ-centered marriages
Mysterious Marriage Math: 1 + 1 = 1
Not so secret cycle: The Love and Respect Principle