Therefore shall a man leave his father and Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. wife: and they shall be one flesh. (Genesis 2:24)(Genesis 2:24)

There is a process of marriage1. We must leave our parentsTherefore shall a man leave his father and his

mother2. We must cleave to our spouseand shall cleave unto his wife3. We must receive our spouseand they shall be4. We must believe we are oneone flesh

We must eliminate the love-busters1. Unresolved conflicts2. Lack of meaningful communication 3. Ignorance of one another's needs4. Selfishness5. Lack of time6. Dishonesty7. Annoying behavior

We must fan the flame of love1. Change the ambiance of your lifeAnd now I have everything, and more. I have all

I need, because Epaphroditus brought your gift to me. It is like a sweet-smelling sacrifice offered to God, who accepts that sacrifice and is pleased with it. (Philippians 4:18)

2. Put your spouse's needs before your ownBe devoted to one another in brotherly love.

Honor one another above yourselves. (Romans 12:10)

3) Build intimacy through communicationInstead, as we lovingly speak the truth, we will

grow up completely in our relationship to Christ, who is the head. (Ephesians 4:15)

4. Accept your spouse"At last!" Adam exclaimed. "She is part of my

own flesh and bone! (Genesis 2:23)

5. Bless your spouse unconditionallyDo not repay evil with evil or insult with insult,

but with blessing, (1 Peter 3:9)

We must see sex as a gift from God1. Sex is goodMarriage should be honored by all, and the

marriage bed kept pure, (Hebrews 13:4)

2. Sex is different for men than for womenSo God created people in his own image; God

patterned them after himself; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:27)

3. Sex is GodlyGod blessed them and told them, "Multiply and fill

the earth and subdue it. (Genesis 1:28)The husband should not deprive his wife of sexual

intimacy, which is her right as a married woman, nor should the wife deprive her husband. (1 Corinthians 7:3)

4. Sex involves the whole personDo you not know that he who unites himself with a

prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, "The two will become one flesh." But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit. (1 Cor. 6:16-17)