1. A Great Marriage Calls for Commitment (Lesson 1)

2. Quotes on Marriage “My most brilliant achievement was my ability to persuade my wife to marry me.”(Winston Churchill) “Happy marriages begin when we marry the one we love, and they blossom when we love the one we marry.”(Tom Mullen)

3. Quotes A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.”(Mignon McLoughlin) Don’t marry the person you think you can live with; marry the person you know you can’t live without.” (Dr. James Dobson)

4. Quotes A happy marriage is a long conversation which always seems too short.” (Andre Maurois) There is no more lovely, friendly, and charming relationship, communion, or company than a good marriage.” (Martin Luther)

5. Quotes “What greater thing is there for two human souls than to feel that they are joined for life- to strengthen each other in all labor, to rest on each other in all sorrow, to minister to each other in all pain, to be one with each other in silent unspeakable memories at the moment of the last parting?” (George Eliot)

6. Quotes “By all means marry. If you get a good wife, you will become very happy. If you get a bad one, you’ll become a philosopher.”(Socrates) “My husband and I have never considered divorce…murder sometimes, but never divorce.” (Dr. Joyce Brothers)

7. A Great Marriage Calls for… 1.Commitment 2.Consecration 3.Character 4.Communication 5.Charity (Love) 6.Counsel (from God’s word) 7.Concentration

8. Introductory Thoughts Marriage is not man-made! Marriage is only for those who are mature. Marriage does matter. Marriage can be marvelous. Marriage does not have to be monotonous or mundane.

9. A Great Marriage Calls for Commitment The What of Commitment The Why of Commitment The How of Commitment

10. The What of Commitment Listed below are some portions of Scripture that point to what commitment is in marriage and how God feels about it: –Genesis (2:24) –Matthew (19:3-6) –I Corinthians (7:10,11) Commitment in marriage involves: –Leaving-A man shall leave his father and mother –Cleaving-And be joined (cling) to his wife –Achieving-They shall become one flesh –Believing-What God has joined together let not man separate

11. The Why of Commitment Commitment in marriage brings about the greatest help in life, including helping one another get to heaven. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12) Commitment in marriage brings about feelings of absolute acceptance and assurance (security). Commitment in marriage brings about the beauty of shared joy and blessing of shared burdens.

12. The How of Commitment Pray, pray, pray. Say it with your actions. Say it with your words. Set goals for growth. Get others involved. Go public by telling others how much you love your spouse and how good they are. Remind yourself daily of the commitment you made to God. Focus on the good in your spouse and the sin in yourself, not the other way around.