1. Don’t just improve… Be transformed! - Marriage January 24, 2016

2. Warning: Shocking Ideas!  Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2  God’s ways are different  God made us and knows what will work best  The Bible is the “Users Guide/Operating Manual”  Do you dare to do what it says?

3. Marriage  Created by God – Genesis 2:24  It is good! – Gen 2:18; Ecc 4:12  It is under attack on all sides  The culture  Satan / the devil  Our own sinful nature  Sometimes becomes a source of pain rather than joy  It must be defended, worked at, supported

4. Transform Your Marriage  Where is your marriage?  Struggling?  Want to just improve things?  Perhaps you’re not married yet/now  4 Steps to transform a marriage (beginning steps)

5. Step 1 – Fix Relationship with God  Get Life right with God  He will be working for you  Confess Your Sins and Ask God to forgive you  Choose to follow God’s ways – even if hard

6. Step 2 – Fix Relationship with Spouse  Recognize the things you’ve done wrong  Confess them to your spouse  Start with things that they know about  Hurtful words, actions  Not being there  Ask for forgiveness

7. Step 3 – Follow God’s Blueprint  Husbands  Love your wives – lay life down for her – Eph 5:25  Head of house – servant leadership – Eph 5:23  Do not be harsh – Col 3:19  Treat with respect – 1 Pet 3:7  Wives  Submit to husbands – Eph 5:22  Jesus is the example – Heb 5:7  Respect husband – Eph 5:33

8. Step 4 – Love Language Challenge  Show love to spouse in way they understand  Love languages 1. Gifts4. Touch 2. Time5. Service 3. Words of Affirmation  Give one Love Language gift per day for a week  Daily speak words of affirmation