Our Life Our Future Christ Tabernacles Marriage Enrichment
Our Life: Our Future Christ Tabernacle’s Marriage Enrichment Program That’s us babe! Eric & Vonetta Williams
Marriage Counseling • Entering a relationship is like entering a maze. And you have to know the proper path that will lead to a quality marriage. • That path is friendship, courtship, commitment, marriage. • We take the couple back through the three stages to help edify their relationship. • At each junction establishing a contract that consist of guidelines, goals & responsibilities that are objectively based on an external model (Christ & Church) and that benefit both parties. Contract Eros Agape Contract Phileo Stick to the contract! ?
Or Scripture Ecclesiastics 4: 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A rope of three strands is not easily broken.
RELATIONSHIP S String, Rope, or chains. . . Ecclesiastics 4: 12
RELATIONSHIPS Our objectives: 1) What is it a relationship, 2) What are its dynamics, 3) How to assess our relationships 4) What is the standard model
Some Thebelieve real problem that the is that “issues” they may arenot the know problem what in a relationship. is. What are RELATIONSHIPS The state of being related or connected in some way to another person es ouse c an y Sp n i Pe F M Problem le op Relationship?
We have to make sure we are connected by love and not circumstances; and that this love is strong. String Why is this important? 1. When we got together it was about us. 2. But as time goes on we grow as individuals; 3. but as our relationship matures, we acquire things that depend on us staying together. RELATIONSHIPS What connects us? Rope ? 5. We need something strong enough to keep us together. How strong is your relationship? Chain 4. Trials and situations can put a strain on the relationship and threaten us and our “us” stuff.
RELATIONSHIPS What connects us? String Relationships Rules: No commitment/responsibility Built on: circumstances Symptoms: Emotional, Disappointment Out come: Separation/divorce String Rope ? What do you think a string relationship is like? Weak Won’t last Chain Ball of string represents circumstances. Explain what will happen to the relationship when it runs out.
RELATIONSHIPS What connects us? Chain Relationships Rules: Set your own Rules Based on: Fight for control, revenge. Symptoms: Argue, distrust, dishonesty, neglect, abuse, fear Outcome: violence, broken spirit, hard heartedness String Relationships Rules: No commitment/responsibility Built on: circumstances Symptoms: Emotions, Disappointment Out come: Separation/divorce Rope Describe the strength of this relationship. Chain Explain what happens to the love when situations pull on the relationship.
RELATIONSHIPS What connects us? String Relationships Rules: No commitment/responsibility Built on: circumstances Symptoms: Emotion Out come: Separation/divorce Rope Relationships Rules: Based on agreeable standard Built on: Commitment Symptoms: Tight/closeness, endurance, trust, compromise, understanding/empathy Out come: Built to last Chain Relationships Rules: Set your own Rules Based on: Fight for control, revenge. Symptoms: Argue, distrust, dishonesty, neglect, abuse, fear Outcome: violence, broken/hard heart Rope Describe the strength of this relationship. Explain what happens when situations pull on the relationship.
RELATIONSHIPS Love 1 Corinthians 11: 3 God is the head of Christ Many of us say we will leave without trying when we feel our spouse is not giving us the love we deserve. What is this relationship based on? SIN Flawed Love Struggles Desires World Love Christ the head of man Butiswhen we did not love God, that’s when He showed us how much He loved us by But Sin entered the world an man sending His son to die for our sins. And the became flawed. And love flowed only loved flowed both ways again. one way, from Christ to man. What is the true model for a is the Man relationship? head of woman And we. Consequently must put Christ ourthat flowed thein love relationship so love canbecame flow properly between us now flawed. between us. Christ acts conduit of God’s loveworld, Add as to athat the affairs of this and filters outdesires, all the unpleasant factorsof life. selfish and the struggles that can poison a relationship.
RELATIONSHIPS And is based on God’s word That reflects God’s love Please mess up! Please please mess up! You need a contract Love Human Flaws Selfish Desires Affairs of the World Struggles of Life Stick to the contract Make your “love” payments The enemy won’t repossess your relationship. Struggles of Life
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