• make your husband or wife feel like the most important person in the world to you
• focus on what you like and admire about your partner
• express gratitude for what your partner does
• show appreciation for who your partner is
• make it a daily discipline
Question:Write down six things you appreciate about your husband or wife. (Be specific: it may be thanking them for what they do, or it may be expressing your appreciation for who they are-try to make it a mixture looking particularly for things you may have come to take for granted)
When you have both finished, show each other what you have put.
You may wish to complete this on the worksheet under "Study Guide"
The four seasons of marriage (not every marriage will go through each stage, but the principles apply to all marriages)
Spring
early years of marriage
season of discovery and excitement
initial infatuation will wear off at some stage
the greatest need is to accept each other
Summer
season of increased activity and demands
may become parents during this season
may face pressures of infertility
careers can be more demanding
the greatest need is to give time to the marriage relationship
Reflect on what you’ve heard so far. Talk together about the pressures you’ve worked through until now in your relationship, and the pressures you’re currently facing.