1. Essential practices for a happy marriage
Happily
Ever After…
Essential practices for a happy marriage

2. Happily Ever After… 5 Essential Practices for a Happy Marriage:
Appreciation
Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib, and He brought her to the man. "At last!" the man exclaimed. "This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh! She will be called 'woman,' because she was taken from 'man.'"
(Genesis 2:22-23)

3. Happily Ever After… 5 Essential Practices for a Happy Marriage:
Appreciation- Suggestions
Notice what your partner does
Say “thank you”
Say why you appreciate it
Be creative

4. Happily Ever After… 5 Essential Practices for a Happy Marriage:
Affirmation
Her children show their appreciation, and her husband praises her… Honour her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
(Proverbs 31:28,31)

5. Happily Ever After… 5 Essential Practices for a Happy Marriage:
Affirmation- Suggestions
Well done… way to go… that was excellent…
You are beautiful… you look great…
You are a wonderful mother/father /lover/friend
I’m really proud of you…
I love you because…
You’re so smart/funny/kind/hard working /faithful/courageous/godly, etc.

6. Happily Ever After… 5 Essential Practices for a Happy Marriage:
Acceptance
Accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.
(Romans 15:7)

7. Happily Ever After… 5 Essential Practices for a Happy Marriage:
Acceptance
Marriage Vows:
“I take … for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part.”

8. Happily Ever After… 5 Essential Practices for a Happy Marriage:
Acceptance- Suggestions
Acknowledge the effects of sin
Watch your expectations
Look for the positives
Turn off your inner critic
Don’t compare spouses/marriages
Take responsibility for your vows
Pray for God’s grace

9. Happily Ever After… 5 Essential Practices for a Happy Marriage:
Apologies
I confess my sins; I am deeply sorry for what I have done.
(Psalms 38:18)

10. Happily Ever After… 5 Essential Practices for a Happy Marriage:
Apologies
“When you cease to blame your spouse and own the problem as yours, you are then empowered to make changes to solve your problem.”
~ Henry Cloud, Boundaries in Marriage

11. Happily Ever After… 5 Essential Practices for a Happy Marriage:
Apologies- Suggestions
~ Ken Sande, The Peace Maker
Avoid ‘if’, ‘but’ and ‘maybe’
Admit specifically
Acknowledge the hurt
Accept the consequences
Alter your behaviour
Ask for forgiveness

12. Happily Ever After… 5 Essential Practices for a Happy Marriage:
Affection
Love is patient, love is kind.
(1 Corinthians 13:4)

13. Happily Ever After… 5 Essential Practices for a Happy Marriage:
Affection- Suggestions
~ Gary Chapman’s 5 Love Languages
Words of affirmation
Acts of service
Gifts
Quality time
Physical touch

15. Happily Ever After… 5 Essential Practices for a Happy Marriage:
Appreciation
Affirmation
Acceptance
Apologies
Affection
- keeps it fresh
- keeps it strong
- keeps it safe
- keeps it whole
- keeps it warm

16. Essential practices for your
Happily
Ever After…