A good marriage is like a piece of art. It takes time and creativity to make it something beautiful.
Talking Points:
- A great marriage is not accidental, but intentional. The issue really isn’t if you’re compatible with your spouse but rather if you’re ready to look beyond yourself to meet the needs of your spouse. Ephesians 5:21-26
- Pay attention to the “big five” areas of conflict: money, sex, in-laws, communication, children. These can cause a lot of problems if they aren’t treated with care.
- Being different from your spouse is a good thing. Instead of fighting to make your spouse more like you, embrace the fact that those differences are a good thing.
Discussion:
- Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- In your own words, why is it significant to realize that a good marriage isn’t by accident?
- Read Ephesians 5:21-26. Would you say your marriage is more influenced by selfishness or selflessness? Explain. What does it look like to love your spouse sacrificially?
- Which of the “big five” are the toughest for you and why? What can you start doing to work through those issues in a more productive way?
- Identify some strengths in your spouse. How can those strengths help your weaknesses?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
This topic is adapted from the Big Think YouTube channel.
