28% said, “Yes!”

21% said, “No!”

41% said… “It depends on what day you

ask me.”

75% said, “Yes!”

Prescription for the BEST Marriage

Prescription for the BEST Marriage

BLESSING

Blessing (Blessing (EulogiaEulogia) = two Gk words: ) = two Gk words: Eu = “Well” Eu = “Well” Logos = “Word” Logos = “Word” Speaking well about anotherSpeaking well about another

BLESSING

Paul admonishes:Paul admonishes: Rom 12:14 “Rom 12:14 “BlessBless those who persecute those who persecute

you; you; blessbless and do not curse and do not curse.”.” Rom 12:17 “Rom 12:17 “Repay no one evil Repay no one evil

for evil.”for evil.”

BLESSING

Jesus commands:Jesus commands:Luke 6:28-29 “Luke 6:28-29 “Bless those Bless those who curse youwho curse you, and pray for , and pray for those who spitefully use you.” those who spitefully use you.”

Summary: Bless your marriage

Good wordsGood wordsKind actionsKind actionsThankful appreciationThankful appreciation Intercessory prayerIntercessory prayer

Pray as a family …

Rx for the BEST marriageRx for the BEST marriage

EDIFICATION

Lit: “To build up.” Lit: “To build up.” Be his or her best cheerleader!Be his or her best cheerleader!

EDIFYING

Root: ”A hearth or Root: ”A hearth or fireplace.”fireplace.”

Three components:Personal encouragementPersonal encouragement

Inner StrengtheningInner Strengthening

Peace and Harmony I Pet Peace and Harmony I Pet 3:9ff3:9ff

Verses on Edifying

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up..” I Thess 5:11

“Love builds up.” (Edifies) I Cor 8:1

Rx for the BEST Marriage

Verses on Edifying “Eagerly pursue what

makes for harmony and for the edification of one another” (Rm 14:19).

“Make it a practice to please your neighbor for his good; to edify, strengthen and build him up spiritually” (Rm 15:2).

Rx for a Superb Marriage

Husband = Sincere specific praise.

Wife = Supportive loving response

HOW DO YOU EDIFY?

24 For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.

25 And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed. NASU

GENESIS 2:24-25

Rx. for the BEST Marriage

C. Sharing is a Growth process. 1. Not just liking the same things.

2.2. It is a It is a willingness to blend your willingness to blend your will with the willwill with the will of your mate. of your mate.

Sharing in Marriage

Look for mutual goals.

KEY: Seek to KEY: Seek to mold each mold each other’s will other’s will into the will of into the will of God…then YOU God…then YOU become closer become closer to GOD and to GOD and each other!each other!

Look for mutual goals.

KEY: Seek to KEY: Seek to mold each mold each other’s will other’s will into the will of into the will of God…then YOU God…then YOU become closer become closer to GOD and to GOD and each other!each other!

Sharing . . .

““An intimate long- An intimate long- term marriage is not term marriage is not the involuntary the involuntary result of fleeting result of fleeting emotion but the emotion but the creation of time creation of time and will.”and will.” Dr. W.H. AudenDr. W.H. Auden

Sharing . . . IntimacyIntimacy begins begins

when two people when two people deliberately deliberately share share the same worldthe same world… … time, interests, time, interests, activities, feelings, activities, feelings, thoughts, goals, thoughts, goals, ideals.ideals.

Sharing . . .

Both must Both must communicatecommunicate experiences, experiences, dreams, fears, dreams, fears, and secrets.. and secrets.. Dr. Ed Wheat Dr. Ed Wheat

Sharing . . . Last time Last time

you shared you shared a laugh?a laugh?

Had fun? Had fun? Date?Date?

Prayed Prayed together? together?

Studied Studied together? together?

Sharing . . .

Sharing . . .

Must be avoided . . .

Touching . . .

Touching . . . Jesus and the little children…Jesus and the little children…

Matt 19:13-15Matt 19:13-15 13 Then children were brought to him 13 Then children were brought to him

that he might that he might lay his hands on lay his hands on themthem and pray. The disciples rebuked and pray. The disciples rebuked the people; 15 And he the people; 15 And he began began blessing them laying his hands on blessing them laying his hands on them.”them.” RSV RSV

Touching . . . Jesus and the leper…Jesus and the leper… Matt 8:2-3 Matt 8:2-3

2 And, behold, there came a leper 2 And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. 3 And Jesus clean. 3 And Jesus put forth his put forth his hand, and hand, and touched himtouched him, saying, I , saying, I will; be thou clean. will; be thou clean.

Brethren:Brethren: “Be kindly “Be kindly affectionate..” Rm 12:10affectionate..” Rm 12:10

Benefits of Touching. Dr. Ed Wheat“Absolutely essential in

building emotional intimacy.” “Establishes a good

emotional climate of warmth, love and affection.”

Touching Tender touch=Tender touch=“I “I

care.”care.” Practice touching in all Practice touching in all

of its pleasant of its pleasant non-non-sexual forms. sexual forms. Hold hands oftenHold hands oftenSit close in church Sit close in church

and at home.and at home.Caress each otherCaress each otherCuddle/”Snuggle”Cuddle/”Snuggle”

UCLA study . Touch blesses by.. Raising the hemoglobin level in our Raising the hemoglobin level in our

blood, thus increasing the body’s ability blood, thus increasing the body’s ability to healto heal

Lowers blood pressureLowers blood pressure Increases our life spanIncreases our life span Increases our energy levelIncreases our energy level Makes people more positive about lifeMakes people more positive about life The average man or women needs 8 or The average man or women needs 8 or

10 meaningful touches a day!10 meaningful touches a day!

Touching

Three hugs a Three hugs a day keeps day keeps the marriage the marriage counselor counselor away! away!

Prescription for the BEST Marriage

Follow the B – E – S – T Rx

Believe the gospel (Mark 16:16)

Believe the gospel (Mark 16:16)

Repent of your sins (Acts 2:38; Acts 17:30)

Repent of your sins (Acts 2:38; Acts 17:30)

Confess your faith (Romans 10:9-10)

Confess your faith (Romans 10:9-10)

Be baptized (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38)Be baptized (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38)

Have YouObeyed

TheGospel?

Have YouObeyed

TheGospel?

Beginning a Relationship with God

Beginning a Relationship with God