BUILDING A GOD-HONORING MARRIAGE
How can believers become intentional about building a God-honoring marriage?
PRIORITY ONE
Discover God’s Design for Marriage
We must understand that every marriage is intended to be a masterpiece reflecting THE marriage between God and His people. Marriage is the most frequent metaphor used in the Bible to describe God’s relationship with His people. In fact, writing to the Ephesians, Paul called marriage a “profound mystery” because the man represents Christ, the groom, while the woman represents His bride, the church. The marital union of husband and wife is a sacred reflection of the gospel itself.
PRIORITY TWO
Commit to a Covenant Marriage
Today’s civil marriages are much like business contracts—easy to get into and easy to get out of. God’s covenant with His people was a promise to remain eternally faithful even if His people were not faithful in return. In covenant marriage, both spouses are committed for a lifetime—in sickness and health, for better or worse. They do not threaten divorce.
PRIORITY THREE
Pursue a Passionate Marriage
God calls us to pursue a passionate, thriving marriage. The Song of Solomon expresses the kind of love, joy and celebration God designed for marriage. That passion is built on much more than infatuation and sexual desire. It is rooted in the physical, emotional, and spiritual intimacy God created couples to experience as a foretaste of the eternal unity, communion and intimacy we can have with God. Prioritize a routine like date nights to fan the flame of intimacy in your marriage.
PRIORITY FOUR
Become Heroic in Marriage
Christ made the ultimate sacrifice to rescue humanity. Writing to the Ephesians, Paul connected Christ’s sacrifice directly to marriage: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25) and “Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands” (Ephesians 5:24). In other words, mutual submission to one another requires giving up our own interests to heroically serve the other person.
PRIORITY FIVE
Fight for Your Marriage
Every couple will mess up. Too often, however, they also choose to give up. Throughout scripture, God fights for His relationship with His people, remaining faithful in the face of unfaithfulness. He forgives again and again. No couple can avoid strife and arguments, but we can avoid giving the enemy victory in our marriages by keeping short accounts and quickly restoring the relationship regardless of what happens. Prayer is a key part of fighting for your marriage. Statistics from Gallop and the National Association of Marriage Enhancement reveal that when couples pray together on a daily basis, less than one percent would end up getting a divorce.
GOING FURTHER
RESOURCES
Love and Respect
by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs
Helps couples escape the “crazy cycle” of marital conflict by understanding one another’s greatest need.
Cherish
by Gary Thomas
Learn to honor your vows in a way that enhances your marriage.
The Five Love Languages
by Gary Chapman
Helps couples understanding and speak their mate’s “love language.”
The Seven Principles to Making Marriage Work
by John Gottman and Nan Silver
Encourages married couples to pursue the joys and pleasures of sexual intimacy.
GOING FURTHER
CROSSPOINT SUPPORT
Wednesday Night Classes
CrossPoint classes are available on Wednesday nights. Classes change each semester, with marriage classes being available periodically.
Staff Support
Our church staff is here to support you along the way. If you need support, CrossPoint staff is here to help. We have counselor recommendations we can share with you. We also are here to support you through prayer and guidance.
