Gospel Centered Marriage

What is the least obvious and most important part of a fish tank? The water. Water is essential for the life of the fish and plants. Water upholds and sways the decorations. Water is what reflects the light in “aquatic” ways and captures our attention. Yet no one ever looks at a fish tank and says, “Wow! You’ve got great water.” If the tank is algae-ridden, then people may say, “Yuck! You need to clean your water.” Water in a fish tank shares a roll similar to day-to-day communication in a marriage. It is essential for the vitality of the marriage, surrounds all the special and significant moments, and it captures all the “relational” qualities of a marriage that we were made to enjoy. But day-to-day is too often ignored or neglected unless it reaches a point that it is noticeably unhealthy.In this chapter we will talk about two aspects of cultivating healthy day-to-day communication: (1) cleaning the tank – removing the contaminants of good communication, and (2) filling the tank – providing a lifetime-supply-answer to the question, “So what are we supposed to talk about?” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We often miss the power of common things. Being at a little league game doesn’t seem like a big deal until you hear an adult lament, “My father never came to any of my games.” We often only fully appreciate the significance of small things our spouse does after they pass away and “life feels so empty now.” When we look back at the people who most shaped our lives, it usually because of their presence and care in ordinary moments rather than great actions or profound words.Listening is another common thing which often has a power that few people realize. Consider the power of listening represented in this quote by C.S. Lewis on humility.“Do not imagine that if you meet a really humble man he will be what most people call ‘humble’ nowadays: he will not be a sort of greasy, smarmy person, who is always telling you that, of course, he is nobody. Probably all you will think about him is that he seemed a cheerful, intelligent chap who took a real interest in what you said to him. If you do dislike him it will be because you feel a little envious of anyone who seems to enjoy life so easily. He will not be thinking about humility: he will not be thinking about himself at all (p. 128).” Mere Christianity by C.S. LewisBecause all we get to do as infants and children (or so it seemed at the time) is “listen to big people,” we tend to view speaking as the mature, powerful, and significant part of communication. We think listening is for the weak or immature person who lacks influence of the ability to contribute. If we applied this same logic to nutrition we would thing that eating fruits and vegetables was a sign of weakness.An overlooked implication of devaluing listening is how we think about prayer. With a low view of listening, we “grade” God based on how He responds to our request, while missing the great honor that the Creator would be omni-available to our moment-by-moment thoughts and concerns. Yes, God answers prayer, but let’s not skip over the reality that we are never alone and we are always understood. Similarly, let’s respond to what our spouse says (in word and action), but let’s never minimize the power of listening to remind our spouse we are with them “in good times and in bad” striving to understand/share their joys and sorrows.In this chapter we will seek to elevate our value of listening and increase our capacity to unleash its power to enrich our marriages. We will do this in three sections: (1) How Not to Listen, (2) Types of Listening, and (3) How to Listen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Many couples who sincerely try to improve their communication fail to get the results proportionate to their effort. The result is that they feel defeated or get angry. From this they either begin to blame “incompatibility” or their spouse. Periodically they feel convicted and commit to “try harder” at what didn’t work before.The purpose of this chapter is to help you discover common misconceptions or oversights about communication that prevent sincere effort from producing marital unity. These are diagnostic assessments meant to prevent your current efforts (evidenced by going through this seminar) from being rendered ineffective by the same false assumptions or oversights that undermined previous efforts.Each point is followed by “Couple Discussion Questions.” It is not expected that the two of you are going to have 60 conversations (20 points multiplied by 3 questions per point), but that you can have one or two conversations about each area that significantly impacts your marriage. The ability to have these conversations without defensiveness or attacking each other is a mark of the humility essential for effective implementation of anything else you’ll learn. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Discover five essential characteristics of a Christian wife, revealing how these traits enhance marital dynamics. Explore the transformative power of faith and mutual sacrifice in relationships. Delve into the significance of a wife's supportive role and the impact on the family and society. Hear a cautionary note on the pursuit of personal significance, emphasizing that true joy comes from serving others. Together, husbands and wives can cultivate a home where love and faith flourish, shaping their true selves in the process.

Exploring true masculinity, the discussion emphasizes that a real man leads and loves his family well. The podcast highlights five key traits of a Christian husband, rooted in biblical ideals. Servant leadership stands out as a vital role for husbands, ensuring emotional and spiritual support for their families. The importance of protection and encouragement is also underscored, advocating for a nurturing home environment free from negativity. Listeners gain practical insights into balancing leadership with service in their marriages.

Discover the intricate dynamics of marital gender roles and how biblical teachings offer a deeper understanding beyond cultural stereotypes. Explore mutual submission and shared responsibilities that foster a loving, gospel-centered relationship. The discussion highlights the importance of 'one another' commands, emphasizing support and open communication. Learn how effective decision-making in areas like finances can strengthen marriages through humility and faith, allowing couples to cultivate a unique partnership tailored to their individual strengths.

Marriage is often taken for granted, yet its true nature as a covenant is profound. The podcast emphasizes the importance of viewing marriage beyond the glamor of weddings, returning to its sacred roots. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their understanding of commitment, trust, and mutual responsibility within the relationship. The discussion highlights key commitments for a thriving marriage, reminding everyone that the marital bond is a reflection of a deeper relationship with God. Rediscovering this meaning can transform how we approach our unions.

What?!? What does it take to make marriage work? How does our marriage enrichment not degenerate into a series of random acts of kindness driven or distracted by the tyranny of the urgent? How do we ensure that our individual acts of marital enrichment are working together to build a momentum and gather energy from one another? These are important questions to ask, even if you are not currently discouraged or overwhelmed by the number of seemingly unrelated things that need to be done to improve your marriage. Marital enrichment that feels random is hard to maintain, easily forgotten, and tend to get bumped down the priority chain. This is why we must not allow marital enrichment to remain random.The purpose of this presentation is to provide the “big picture” that gives meaning to all the “little pieces” of marital enrichment. This chapter does not give all the “little pieces,” that is the purpose of the rest of this series. But you should get the framework to make enrichment seem purposeful. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Explore why so many marriages falter despite initial love and intentions. Discover how misconceptions about relationships may contribute to challenges. A gospel-centered approach emphasizes aligning with God's design and appreciating everyday moments. The importance of humility and reliance on divine assistance is highlighted as essential for strengthening marriages. Understanding personality differences can help, but lasting success comes from deeper spiritual connections.