Bible Principles Which Help Marital Communication Communication is critical to maintaining any relationship. Genesis 11

Bible Principles Which Help Marital Communication We must learn how to LISTEN! Source: Beebe, Beebe, & Redmond, Interpersonal Communication

Bible Principles Which Help Marital Communication We must learn how to LISTEN! Source: Beebe, Beebe, & Redmond, Interpersonal Communication

Bible Principles Which Help Marital Communication We must learn how to LISTEN! Good listening takes effort, so develop a receptive heart. Proverbs 2:1-2 John 10:20

Bible Principles Which Help Marital Communication We must learn how to LISTEN! Focus on listening before figuring out your response. Proverbs 18:13 James 1:19 Luke 2:46-47

Bible Principles Which Help Marital Communication We must learn how to LISTEN! Don’t assume or assign motives. II Samuel 10:1-4 I Corinthians 13:7 Job 19:1-3

Bible Principles Which Help Marital Communication We must learn how to LISTEN! Don’t turn around & blab (use discretion). Proverbs 11:13, 25:9-10 I Timothy 5:13

Bible Principles Which Help Marital Communication We must learn how to SPEAK! Speak with sincere love. Ephesians 4:15, 29 Proverbs 12:18, 15:1-2 Philippians 2:3-5 Matthew 7:1-5

Bible Principles Which Help Marital Communication We must learn how to SPEAK! Speak with clarity. I Corinthians 9:20-22 I Corinthians 14:19

Bible Principles Which Help Marital Communication We must learn how to SPEAK! Slow down. John 13:8-10 Proverbs 15:28, 17:27 James 1:19

Bible Principles Which Help Marital Communication We must learn how to SPEAK! Use those little words that mean so much. “I’m sorry!” Luke 15:21 “I forgive you!” Matthew 6:14-15 “Please!” Acts 26:3, Neh. 5:10-11 “Thank you!” Luke 17:16 “Good job!” Proverbs 31:28-29 “I love you!” Song of Solomon 1:7

John Gottman “As part of our research we carefully charted the amount of time couples spent fighting versus interacting positively—touching, smiling, paying compliments, laughing, etc. Across the board we found there was a very specific ratio that exists between the amount of positivity and negativity in a stable marriage, whether it is marked by validation, volatility, or conflict avoidance. That magic ration is 5 to 1. In other words, as long as there is five times as much positive feeling and interaction between husband and wife as there is negative, we found the marriage was likely to be stable” (Why Marriages Succeed or Fail, p. 57).