1. A Healthy Marriage How important is it? Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

2. Long-time Marriages in Trouble On September 20, 2007 the New York Times posted an article which stated, “Don’t stock up on silver anniversary cards. More than half the Americans who might have celebrated their 25 th wedding anniversary since 2000 were divorced, separated or widowed before reaching that milestone, according to the latest census survey, released yesterday.” He continues, “For the first time at least since World War II, women and men who married in the late 1970’s had less than an even chance of still being married 25 years later.” (“Why Do Long-time Married Couples Break their Vows”) 2

3. Long-time Marriages in Trouble Marriage roles bring blessings when met When responsibilities are refused it causes doubt, discouragement, disillusion and destruction Marriages fall when built on the sand of sin and selfishness, Matt 7:26-27 3

4. Long-time Marriages in Trouble A healthy marriage is…  Active, not stagnant  Caring, not calloused  Attentive, not neglectful  Respectful, not demeaning We must never let down our guard, Eph 5:33 4

5. Teach and Practice Love (Ezek 16:8) Understand and practice true love, 1 Cor 13:4-8 Do not base your marriage on emotions, economy and unrealistic expectations A HEALTHY MARRIAGE 5

6. Teaches and Practices Love (Ezek 16:8) Base marriage on respect, Eph 5:28 (Gen 2:23) Put your love into action, Prov 19:13; 21:9, 19(1 Pet 3:7; Col 3:19; Eph 4:31- 32) Practice loving respect  Look out for each other, Phil 2:3-4; Eph 5:24- 25  Attention & communication A HEALTHY MARRIAGE 6

7. Conquers Loneliness (Gen 2:18) Why do husbands and wives drift apart? Eccl 4:9-12  Relationship is taken for granted rather than nurtured, Prov 5:18  Selfishness invades hearts and rules the day  There’s a bug in the rug, Eph 4:1-3 (5:25-27) A HEALTHY MARRIAGE 7

8. Nurtures Children (Eph 6:1-4) Nurturing atmosphere, 1 Cor 7:14 (1 Pet 3:1-2)  Knowledge of God and truth, Deut 6:4-9; Psa 78:1-4  Faith, 2 Tim 1:5  Wisdom of life, Prov 6:20-24 Role model for your children, Matt 1:19; Lk 1:28; 2:51-52 A HEALTHY MARRIAGE 8

9. Builds Character Character is developed in marriage (2 Pet 1:5-7)  Sacrifice and service, Acts 20:35  Empathy, Gen 2:23 (1 Cor 12:26)  Patient forbearance, Col 3:12-14 A HEALTHY MARRIAGE 9

10. A Healthy Marriage Unhealthy marriage damages lives and souls, 1 Pet 3:7Unhealthy marriage damages lives and souls, 1 Pet 3:7 Nourish and cherish your marriage partner, Eph 5:28-29Nourish and cherish your marriage partner, Eph 5:28-29 10 Hebrews 13:4