1. Healthy Relationships

2. Characteristics of Healthy Relationships: Healthy Unhealthy

3. What is healthy relationship like? Partners in a relationship: O treat each other with respect at all times O like each other and are friends O are honest, understanding and caring O show loyalty and commitment in tough times O talk together and share feelings, fears, plans O have fun together O are not afraid to have separate interests and friends; not afraid to let partner grow and change O Are willing to sacrifice their own needs; want the best for the other partner

4. What are the characteristics of unhealthy relationships? O Often in unhealthy relationships, partners try to control each other. They may: O Be possessive and jealous O Not accept breaking up O Make all decisions (other partner may be uncomfortable) O Be scary or threatening O Pressure about limits O Be critical of partner’s ideas, clothes, actions.. O Put down their partner O Lose their temper easily O Physically harm their partner

5. What is a poor relationship like? This type of relationship exists when partner(s) feel:  bored, have little in common  conversation is limited  they need more space, or a reason to break up  tied down, too serious  pressured about limits (sexually or with commitment)  like they fight too much  feel stress, unhappiness  IN MARRIAGE, THIS TYPE OF RELATIONSHIP CHALLENGES PARTNERS TO WORK AT THEIR RELATIONSHIP  What about dating relationships?

6. This type of relationship is… O ABUSE O People involved in these types of relationships should get help and get out O They should not blame themselves – they are worth more than this O What help exists in our community for people in abusive relationships?

7. O Since God is our Creator it only makes sense that to live happy, fulfilling, and contented lives we must follow His instruction. One of the most obvious problems in the lives of many is broken marriages. Those who enter into marriage with little respect for God and His word can not expect anything but problems. Marriage, to the majority of people, is something simply done out of convenience without a sense of obligation and responsibility before God. O For those same people divorce is a convenience. Many get married with the selfish attitude that says, "I'll get married, try it for a while and if it doesn't work, if I don't like it, I'll get a divorce." Yet, God views marriage to be a covenant relationship.

8. A covenant is an agreement that involves promises and commitments. The Bible describes the marriage as a spiritual covenant that is just as binding, and just as sacred, as the covenant that God has made with His people. In fact, we find that when God describes the relationship between Himself and His people He speaks of the husband wife relationship (cf. Jer. 31:31-32). In the New Testament the blessed relationship between Christ and the church is described by the covenant relationship of the husband and the wife (Eph. 5:22-ff). Marriage is a holy union before God.

9. A fact that many fail to realize is though it is a man and a woman that make the commitment to be married, they are joined in that commitment, bound in that covenant relationship, by God. Our Creator instituted marriage from the beginning and only He has the authority to bind, or say what does and does not break that covenant. Jesus declared, "..What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate" (Matt. 19:6). A marriage covenant involves more than an individual, their spouse, and the law of the land; it involves God and the covenant that He has bound when a man and woman vow their commitment before Him. The only One who has the authority to declare what is a legitimate reason to break that covenant is the one who bound it, and that is God.

10. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4OK 9DmLpCY&feature=relmfu What is your opinion of Marriage based on your own experiences and observations?

11. Journal #13 Write a poem about the covenant of marriage. Include characteristics that you feel make a strong, everlasting bond between 2 people. Decorate it with symbols. OR Choose 2 examples of the covenant of marriage in your life. (ie. grandparents, parents, family or other) Describe how you witness the characteristics of the covenant of marriage and describe how your view of marriage is shaped by these examples. (2 paragraphs)