1. Welcome to

2. Life Changes for Couples Partners or Competitors?
Today’s Lesson – May 22, 2016
Life Changes for Couples
Partners or Competitors?

3. Life Changes for Couples by James M. Reeves
A Biblical 12-Step Journey for Marriage Enrichment

4. Partner - or - Competitor
You want to dominate a competitor
You want to support a partner
You want to intimidate a competitor
You want to encourage a partner
You want to beat a competitor
Your want to build up a partner

5. Partner - or - Competitor
You line up across from a competitor and butt heads
You line up beside a partner and hold hands
You walk away from the competitor when the challenge ends
You walk with a partner to the next challenge

6. (advance slide to play video)
Can two walk together except they be agreed?
Amos 3:3
Do not become partners with those who do not believe, for what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship does light have with darkness?
II Corinthians 6:14
(advance slide to play video)

8. The Challenge of Expectations: Each of us comes to the marriage with needs and expectations. Some we may have voiced while dating and courtship. Others may not have surfaced or may only come out during times of disagreement and then be masked as other issues.
What is worse - we may expect we share the same needs.

10. Which scenario represents how you came to your marriage in the beginning?
To meet your Spouse’s needs
To have your Spouse meet your needs
How is it working for you?

11. Which Reservoir is Your Marriage?
Do you both replenish your marriage?
Is one of you taking from the marriage?
Are you both taking from the marriage?
Reservoirs need life-giving water flowing to keep them alive
Marriages that focus on giving and not getting remain healthy and vibrant

12. The husband must fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; and likewise also the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.
I Corinthians 7:3 - 4

13. My Spouse’s Top Five Needs Are:

14. "His Needs, Her Needs” Dr. Willard Harley

15. Top Five Needs of a Wife:
Affection
Honesty & Openness
Conversation
Financial Support
Family Support

16. Top Five Needs of a Husband:
Sexual Fulfillment
Recreational Companionship
Attractive Spouse
Domestic Support
Admiration

17. Prayer Time Pray for your marriage
Pray for your spouse – no fix them prayers
Pray for Team Mates – arm us for spiritual warfare
Pray for yourself – seek to realize your need to be more giving to your spouse

18. Life Change for Couples
Next Week…
May 29th
Life Change for Couples
Chapter 5
Admit Powerlessness