1. Five Ways To Improve Your Marriage Song of Solomon 1:14-16; 4:1-4, 9-11

2. Express Affection 1. Express Affection They frequently say, “I love you.” They frequently say, “I love you.” They are physically affectionate. They are physically affectionate. They verbalize appreciation & admiration. They verbalize appreciation & admiration. They share thoughts; confide in each other. They share thoughts; confide in each other. They convey their love in material ways. They convey their love in material ways. They create & desire time alone together. They create & desire time alone together. They frequently say, “I love you.” They frequently say, “I love you.” They are physically affectionate. They are physically affectionate. They verbalize appreciation & admiration. They verbalize appreciation & admiration. They share thoughts; confide in each other. They share thoughts; confide in each other. They convey their love in material ways. They convey their love in material ways. They create & desire time alone together. They create & desire time alone together.

3. Act Like You Love Each Other 2. Act Like You Love Each Other “By regulating the action... we can indirectly regulate the feeling.” “By regulating the action... we can indirectly regulate the feeling.” “Do ten things each day that you would do if you really were in love. I know that if people do loving things, it will not be long before they experience the feelings that are often identified as being in love.” “Do ten things each day that you would do if you really were in love. I know that if people do loving things, it will not be long before they experience the feelings that are often identified as being in love.” “By regulating the action... we can indirectly regulate the feeling.” “By regulating the action... we can indirectly regulate the feeling.” “Do ten things each day that you would do if you really were in love. I know that if people do loving things, it will not be long before they experience the feelings that are often identified as being in love.” “Do ten things each day that you would do if you really were in love. I know that if people do loving things, it will not be long before they experience the feelings that are often identified as being in love.”

4. Avoid “Platonic” Friendships w/ Opposite Gender 3. Avoid “Platonic” Friendships w/ Opposite Gender Don’t tell someone - something that you wouldn’t want your spouse to know. Don’t tell someone - something that you wouldn’t want your spouse to know. Don’t spend time alone with that person. Don’t spend time alone with that person. Avoid relationships that may divert your emotional energy from your marriage. Avoid relationships that may divert your emotional energy from your marriage. Beware of “social networks”. Beware of “social networks”. Don’t tell someone - something that you wouldn’t want your spouse to know. Don’t tell someone - something that you wouldn’t want your spouse to know. Don’t spend time alone with that person. Don’t spend time alone with that person. Avoid relationships that may divert your emotional energy from your marriage. Avoid relationships that may divert your emotional energy from your marriage. Beware of “social networks”. Beware of “social networks”.

5. Have Spiritual Devotions 4. Have Spiritual Devotions “The ever-living Christ is here to bless you. The nearer you keep him, the nearer you will be to one another.” Invite the Lord to share the evening with you before you retire for a night’s rest (cf. Psalm 16:7-8). “The ever-living Christ is here to bless you. The nearer you keep him, the nearer you will be to one another.” Invite the Lord to share the evening with you before you retire for a night’s rest (cf. Psalm 16:7-8).

6. Draw Strength From Each Other 5. Draw Strength From Each Other Healthy couples learn to cling to each other in times of stress, holding each other up, & allowing problems to draw them together rather than pull them apart. Healthy couples learn to cling to each other in times of stress, holding each other up, & allowing problems to draw them together rather than pull them apart.

7. Ephesians 5:28-29 Ephesians 5:28-29 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. Ephesians 5:28-29 Ephesians 5:28-29 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.

8. 5 ways to improve your marriage Express Affection Express Affection Act Like You Love Each Other Act Like You Love Each Other Avoid “Platonic” Friendships w/ Opposite Gender Avoid “Platonic” Friendships w/ Opposite Gender Have Spiritual Devotion Have Spiritual Devotion Draw Strength From Each Other Draw Strength From Each Other Express Affection Express Affection Act Like You Love Each Other Act Like You Love Each Other Avoid “Platonic” Friendships w/ Opposite Gender Avoid “Platonic” Friendships w/ Opposite Gender Have Spiritual Devotion Have Spiritual Devotion Draw Strength From Each Other Draw Strength From Each Other