1. Building a better (or best!) marriage At Jesus’ Feet

2. People Who Build Great Marriages… Abide in Christ – John 15 Abide in Christ – John 15 Get past themselves – John 13 Get past themselves – John 13 Either I sacrifice myself, or I sacrifice my marriage!

3. People Who Build Great Marriages… Abide in Christ – John 15 Abide in Christ – John 15 Get past themselves – John 13 Get past themselves – John 13 Accept others like Christ – Rom 15:7 Accept others like Christ – Rom 15:7

4. Acceptance… Does not: ask “Did I marry the wrong person?” ask “Did I marry the wrong person?” rehearse a list of things you don’t like rehearse a list of things you don’t like threaten to leave threaten to leave Does: trust in the sovereignty of God trust in the sovereignty of God practice continual thankfulness practice continual thankfulness verbalize commitment verbalize commitment believe the best believe the best

5. People Who Build Great Marriages… Abide in Christ – John 15 Abide in Christ – John 15 Get past themselves – John 13 Get past themselves – John 13 Accept others like Christ – Rom 15:7 Accept others like Christ – Rom 15:7 Practice empathy – John 11 Practice empathy – John 11 —the ability to identify with and understand someone else's feelings or circumstances

6. People Who Build Great Marriages… Abide in Christ – John 15 Abide in Christ – John 15 Get past themselves – John 13 Get past themselves – John 13 Accept others like Christ – Rom 15:7 Accept others like Christ – Rom 15:7 Practice empathy – John 11 Practice empathy – John 11 – Words of affirmation – Quality time – Receiving gifts – Acts of service – Physical touch

7. People Who Build Great Marriages… Abide in Christ – John 15 Abide in Christ – John 15 Get past themselves – John 13 Get past themselves – John 13 Accept others like Christ – Rom 15:7 Accept others like Christ – Rom 15:7 Practice empathy – John 11 Practice empathy – John 11 Build with their words – John 1 Build with their words – John 1

8. People Who Build Great Marriages… Abide in Christ – John 15 Abide in Christ – John 15 Get past themselves – John 13 Get past themselves – John 13 Accept others like Christ – Rom 15:7 Accept others like Christ – Rom 15:7 Practice empathy – John 11 Practice empathy – John 11 Build with their words – John 1 Build with their words – John 1 Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue…

9. People Who Build Great Marriages… Abide in Christ – John 15 Abide in Christ – John 15 Get past themselves – John 13 Get past themselves – John 13 Accept others like Christ – Rom 15:7 Accept others like Christ – Rom 15:7 Practice empathy – John 11 Practice empathy – John 11 Build with their words – John 1 Build with their words – John 1 Proverbs 12:18 There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, But the tongue of the wise brings healing.

10. Application Choose your friends wisely Choose your friends wisely Read a book together this summer Read a book together this summer – The Five Love Languages, Gary Chapman – Building Your Mate’s Self-Esteem, Dennis and Barbara Rainey Don’t be afraid to get help Don’t be afraid to get help