Slides: Essential Pre-Marriage Ministry Session(s)

Essential Pre-Marriage Ministry Session(s)

Henry Reyenga

The Spiritual Connection

Questions to discuss:

Do you have a spiritual dream for your marriage? 

Do you both consider yourselves Christians?  What does that mean to each of you? 

2 Corinthians 6:14   Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?

Benefits of the Christian Worldview

Print out the PDF from Dr. Feddes and give that to the couple:

Covenant and accountability 

Life long relationship of love and fidelity 

Personal growth

A place for romantic and sexual intimacy, vulnerability, and protection

A safe and productive place for children

Plan

Kingdom partnership

Financial security

Sharing complimentary gifts

Spiritual and Worldview Skills

Do you know how to pray with each other and read the Bible together?

Will the Biblical view guide your marriage?   

Ephesians 5:32-33   This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Communication Skills

How well do you communicate each of your feelings on things? 

Are you both listeners to each others’ wants and needs? 

Are you sensitive to male and female differences? 

Where are areas of communication lacks for growth potential? 

James 1:19   My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,

Emotional Skills

Are you transparent about yourself? 

Are you comfortable that you are heard? 

Is each of you happy and content with who you are as individual? 

Do you appreciate the way your spouse is different than you?

Philippians 4:4-5  Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

Grace Skills

Aside from Covenant Breakers… Affairs, Abuse, and Atrophy

Will you have a forgiving heart toward your spouse? 

Do you have a forgiving heart toward yourself? 

Galatians 6:1-2    Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Practical Skills

Do you feel between the two of you that you have the skill necessary to do well as a new couple and family? 

Cooking?

Cleaning? 

Neatness? 

Laundry?

De-cluttering?

Employment?

Intimacy Skills

Are you committed to growing in romance and sexual intimacy skills throughout your life? 

Where can you grow in romance skills and confidence?

Where can you grow in learning about sexual skills and confidence? 

Books

Websites - Not Porn

Sexual intimacy mini-course at CLI

Parenting Skills

How will you reach an agreed-upon approach to child nurturing?

Ephesians 6:1-4   Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ² “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise—  “that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”   Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Impact Building Skills

Is your marriage called to impact the world for Christ? 

Acts 18:18-19    Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila…They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews.

Acts 18:26 Apollos began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.

Romans 16:3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus.

1 Corinthians 16:19     The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house.