MakingMarriag

esBetter

Making Marriages Better Takes Planning“Most spend more time planning the

wedding than the marriage.”

It takes work to live “happily ever after.”

Keys to Making Marriages Better

Commitment

Understanding

Forgiveness

Commitment is a Definite

Commitment to God“Commit your way to the LORD; trust in

him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,

and your justice as the noonday.”(Psalm 37.5,6; ESV)

Commitment is a Definite

Commitment to Each Other“Therefore a man shall leave his father

and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”

(Ephesians 5.31; ESV)

Some Interesting Marriage FactsA nineteen-year study in Wynne, Arkansas, revealed the 80% of all

Christians who married outside the church eventually left the church.

Source: Jacksonville Christian Student Center publicationJacksonville, Ala

Some Interesting Marriage FactsA twenty-year study in Miami, Oklahoma,

showed 72% of Christians marrying outside the church eventually left the

church. The same study showed 92% of those who

married Christians remained faithful to the Lord.

Source: Jacksonville Christian Student Center publicationJacksonville, Ala

Some Interesting Marriage FactsAnother study conducted in Oklahoma,

published in Truth in Love, revealed that 70% of Christians marrying

outside the church left the faith, while 94% of Christians marrying in the

church remained faithful to the Lord.

Source: Jacksonville Christian Student Center publicationJacksonville, Ala

Seek to Understand“Likewise, husbands, live with your

wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the

weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your

prayers may not be hindered.”(1 Peter 3.7, ESV)

Seek to Understand – The Differences

Differences appear in:• Communication• Affection• The Definition of Happiness

Seek to Understand – The Differences

A Differences Example:• Women – 25,000 words a day• Men – 12,500 words a day

Is there a difference?

Forgiveness is a Must

“If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold

forgiveness from any, it is withheld."

(John 20.23; ESV)

“Intense Moments of Fellowship”

Rules for Fighting Fair:• Do not bring up the past.• No silent treatment.• Settle the issue.

MakingMarriag

esBetter