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Seasons of Marriage: Navigating the Journey Together

Marriage, like nature, unfolds in seasons. Each one brings new challenges and fresh opportunities to grow together. Learning to recognize and respond to these seasons can strengthen your marriage and help you thrive—not just survive—through every phase of life.

A Biblical Foundation for Seasonal Shifts

Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 reminds us:

“For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven… a time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance.”

These words set the tone for understanding marriage as a journey of seasons—each with its unique rhythms and spiritual insights.

Winter: The Season of Challenge

Winter is cold and harsh—and in marriage, it represents tough seasons. Illness, loss, conflict, or emotional distance can leave couples feeling isolated. The most important thing during this season is to stay connected, emotionally and spiritually. You may not have solutions, but your presence and compassion make all the difference.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 offers hope:

“Two people are better off than one… A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer.”

Spring: The Season of Busyness

Spring brings energy, growth, and… chaos. It’s a season of careers, kids, and commitments. The danger here is neglecting your connection with each other. Couples must fight for intentional moments of closeness.

Rick and Kay Warren recommend a helpful rhythm:

  • Daily “divert” moments

  • Weekly “withdraw” time

  • Annual “abandon” getaways

These simple habits help protect your relationship from being buried under the weight of busyness.

Summer: The Season of Contentment

In summer, marriage feels easy and joyful. Life is smooth, routines are working, and your relationship feels warm and relaxed. But summer can lead to complacency if you’re not careful. Use this season to keep building intimacy and gratitude.

Take time to thank God for this season. Journal blessings. Pray together. Enjoy one another. These habits store up strength for the colder seasons ahead.

Fall: The Season of Change

Fall represents transition. Maybe the kids leave home. Maybe there’s a career shift or a health challenge. Change can feel unsettling, but it also offers fresh opportunities for growth and trust.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 reminds us how to love in every season:

“Love is patient and kind… It never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”

Every marriage faces change—but enduring love can carry you through.

Link to book: 4 Seasons of Marriage

Talking Points:
  • Winter – The Season of Challenge: Winter can bring tough moments like loneliness or conflict. During this time, it’s important for couples to make an effort to stay connected, even when life feels hard.
  • Spring – The Season of Busyness: Spring can get busy, and it’s easy for couples to drift apart. Focus on spending quality time together, appreciating each other, and creating routines to recharge and rest so you can stay close.
  • Summer – The Season of Contentment: Summer is a time to relax and enjoy being together. Take advantage of this warmth and intimacy, but also stay intentional about nurturing your relationship to keep it strong for the seasons ahead.
  • Fall – The Season of Change: Fall brings transitions, both good and challenging. Couples should stay flexible, adjust expectations, and embrace the changes, letting them help your relationship grow and evolve.
Discussion Questions:
  1. Read the talking points above as a group, including scripture references. What are your initial thoughts about these points or about the podcast lesson (see audio above)?
  2. Which season best describes your marriage right now—winter, spring, summer, or fall? Why? How can you better live in this current “season?”
  3. What has been the most challenging season in your marriage so far? Explain.
  4. What does the “springtime” of marriage look like for you and your spouse? Explain the pluses and the negatives of this season.
  5. What are some ways you can invest your time in working on your marriage during the “summer” season? How can those benefit you in fall, winter, and spring?
  6. Have you experienced a “fall” season in your marriage? What happened?
  7. What are you doing now to prepare for the “winter” of marriage (or if you’re in “winter,” how have you previously prepared)? What are sources of support you can turn to?
  8. Read Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. What does this teach us about life? How do these verses apply to this topic?

 

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