Marriage Course - August 19, 2012

Day 3 - The First and Second Seasons of Marriage - Spring and Summer

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

Question: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.

From Series: "Marriage"

Study Guide

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  • Forgiveness IS essential and one of the greatest forces for healing In a marriage
  • Degrees of difficulty in forgiving
    • Jesus on the cross of those who crucified him
    • Small Issues, e.g. husband or wife forqeting to do something or making you late
    • Big issues, e.g. unfaithfulness
  • Forgiveness, is first and foremost, a choice, not a feeling
  • Question is not, “Do we feel like forgiving?

Question IS, “Will we forgive? Will we let go of our self-pity / demand for justice / desire to retaliate?”

What does forgiveness mean to you?  Have you been forgiven, or had to forgive someone recently?  Do you find it easy, or hard to forgive?