Marriage | Let’s Talk About It | Pastor Rodney and Renee Thrift
Let’s Talk About It
Marriage…
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (NIV) 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, u but do not have love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails.
Soul Tattoo: With God at the center, marriage flourishes, but it takes our hard work and commitment to keep it strong.
1.) Let the love of Christ be both the foundation and at the center of our marriage.
Ephesians 5:25 (NIV) “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”
Distractions:
- Lack of Spiritual Discipline
- Busyness and Work Stress
- Technology and Social Media
- Selfishness and Personal Agendas
- Unresolved Conflicts
- Worldly Influences
Question: How are we ensuring that Christ remains the center of our marriage in both good and challenging times?
2.) Open and honest communication is crucial to building a strong marriage.
Ephesians 4:15 (NIV) “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.”
Speaking the truth with love fosters trust and intimacy.
3 ways that we are not open and honest in communication:
- Withholding Information
- Passive-Aggressive Behavior
- Deception or Lying
Question: Are we communicating openly and lovingly with each other, even when it’s difficult?
Soul Tattoo: With God at the center, marriage flourishes, but it takes our hard work and commitment to keep it strong.
3.) Forgiveness is essential in marriage because it heals past hurts and fosters unity.
Colossians 3:13 (NIV) “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Unforgiveness:
- Biblical forgiveness frees us from the weight of bitterness, allowing God’s grace to restore and renew our hearts.
- When we forgive as Christ forgave us, we break the chains of the past and step into the fullness of His peace and healing.
Question: Are there any unresolved hurts or offenses between us that need forgiveness?
4.) Teamwork is important in marriage and helps us bond together in unity.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NIV) “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”
What does teamwork look like?
- Teamwork promotes trust.
- Teamwork helps us trust each other’s decision making.
- Teamwork reduces conflict and stress.
- Teamwork creates safety and enables healthy communication.
Question: How are we working together as a team, and how can we better support each other in our roles?
5.) Keeping my covenant commitment in my marriage honors God and builds trust for a solid marriage.
Proverbs 3:3-4 (NIV) 3Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. 4Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.
Three thoughts on keeping covenant commitment:
- Consistency in honoring your vows shows your spouse they can rely on you, building a foundation of trust over time.
- Choosing faithfulness daily fosters a sense of security, as trust is built through actions that reflect love and loyalty.
- Standing by your spouse in both good and hard times proves your unwavering commitment, deepening trust and strengthening your bond.
Question: Are we consistently honoring our marriage vows in all aspects of our relationship?
Soul Tattoo: With God at the center, marriage flourishes, but it takes our hard work and commitment to keep it strong.