Premarital Education Archives | Page 17 of 23

May 23, 2016April 2, 2017

A Man’s Passion for Life

Without a doubt, a wife’s decision to submit to her husband doesn’t get the best press in today’s culture. Such a woman is thought to be a bit on the crazy side … or not too bright. But nothing could be further from the Truth!

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved
the church and gave himself up for her ….

~ Ephesians 5:25

Yes, Scripture instructs a woman to live for her husband.

But when you read the entirety of Ephesians 5, you realize she doesn’t have the more difficult role. Her husband does … because he must be willing to die for her!

The simple fact of the matter is that nothing inspires a godly man more than experiencing the Beauty of his wife.

He’s naturally drawn to her strength as she basks in the Joy of the Lord.
His heart and soul are softened by the Fruit of the Spirit flowing from her.

And as she chooses to honor him as her leader – to submit to him out of trust and respect for who he is and for who he is becoming – the fullness of his Passion for life automatically propels him forward toward his destiny!

To fulfill his God-Given Purpose in life,
a man must access his Male Passion.

And a wise woman knows how to build up her husband and thereby increase his Masculine Passion to fuel the Power he needs to Produce results.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

Have you observed any couples who live this way today?
How do they do it?
Have you asked?

May 16, 2016April 2, 2017

God is First. Always.

Every Good Thing Begins With God. God is calling us to Love. Yet His Love is so hard to grasp. Therefore, His Love must grasp US first. For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. (Romans 11:36)

There is no fear in love.
But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.
The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (1 John 4:18)

There is no fear in love.
We need to know that kind of love.
So that we can love with that kind of love.

God must be First. Always. In all things.

The words of the song “Lead Me” by Sanctus Real provide a clear description of the pressure a man feels as a leader … and emphasize his desperate need for God’s help to be the leader He wants him to become. If you haven’t heard it, check it out on YouTube.

Therefore, the First Thing every Man needs to become the Leader he wants to be is … Jesus!

He is absolutely The Essential One, not only for a man’s well-being, but also for his family’s well-being. If a man is a Christian, he must reconnected with Him daily … if not moment-by-moment (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

[callout]If you’ve not yet invited Jesus into your life, you can do so now.
He’s with you – wherever you are in the process of life
– and eagerly waiting to hear from you!
It’s simple. Just talk to Him.[/callout]

An Unstoppable Team: Man, Woman, and The Lord

When a Godly Woman is the willing recipient of the fullness of God’s Love, she is free to love her Man in ways she could not have loved him if she were merely on her own.

Her Man benefits from being loved by her. He receives the love and moral support he needs to be able to lead well as he …

Listens to her.
Is her hero (i.e., treats her like a lady).
Pays attention to her response to his leadership.
Asks for what he needs from her (in addition to a great sex life in marriage).
And most of all, is courageous enough to allow himself to be vulnerable with her.

The Bottom Line: God is First. Always. In all things.

A Godly Woman receives love from God, loves God in return, then loves her Man out of her own fullness. And as her Man receives love from God, she gets to delight in following a Godly Man who knows how to lead gently and confidently. It’s irresistible joy!

We love because He first loved us.
(1 John 4:19)

May 9, 2016August 20, 2022

Dancing Together

Our culture – with the well-intentioned assistance of more than a few overly zealous feminists – has all but obliterated God’s plan for a man and a woman. Some Christians totally ignore the concept of submission, whereas others read Paul’s words as permission for husbands to dominate and/or abuse their wives. Neither option, of course, is acceptable. And neither will create the loving and romantic relationship you desire.

My approach to healthy relationships is often labeled as an old-fashioned, out-dated notion about Love and Marriage.

Some have suggested it’s rooted in the 1950s.
Or in the Victorian Era.

But it’s much, much older.
In fact, it’s as Ancient as Adam and Eve.

Yes, it’s Submission in Marriage

One Sunday evening, I was dancing with some friends in a beautiful gazebo at one of my favorite outdoor venues, when a park ranger appeared.

Although the ranger’s intent was to inform us that the park had closed 37 minutes earlier, he was simply standing there watching us in awe. A dozen couples ranging in age from 30-something to 60-something, enjoying a pleasant summer evening, engaged in an activity straight out of the 19th Century.

Perhaps it was just our Victorian costumes that fascinated him.
But I believe it was so much more.

As my friends loaded their cars to leave,
I chatted with the park ranger.

“My dance partner and I have offered workshops for couples. We want men to know how it feels to have a woman follow them and make them feel good about their ability to lead. And we want women to know how wonderful it feels to be treated like a lady.”

The ranger turned his head and looked at me in shock.
“There are still women who want to follow a man?”

“Yes! At least Christian women do.
In fact, they love it.
And even long for it!”

Still in apparent disbelief, the ranger reported,
“I read something the other day about most women
making more money than men … and that most women
believe they don’t even need men around anymore.”

“That’s not true for all women. Not the good ones anyway.”
I replied confidently. Because I know it’s True.

Our conversation ended there, but knowing a little about how a man’s mind works,
I’m pretty sure he continued to process the whole thing.

Fascinated by our dance.

Wondering what it would be like
if he himself could find a woman
who would trust and respect him.

And if that’s even a remote possibility …

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

What are your beliefs about submission?
How have your beliefs affected your relationship?

Click here for Fast-Forward Learning
about Submission in Marriage

Yes, Scripture instructs a woman to live for her husband.

To fulfill his God-Given Purpose in life, a man must access his Male Passion.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

God must be First. Always. In all things.

Therefore, the First Thing every Man needs to become the Leader he wants to be is … Jesus!

[callout]If you’ve not yet invited Jesus into your life, you can do so now. He’s with you – wherever you are in the process of life – and eagerly waiting to hear from you! It’s simple. Just talk to Him.[/callout]

An Unstoppable Team: Man, Woman, and The Lord

The Bottom Line: God is First. Always. In all things.

My approach to healthy relationships is often labeled as an old-fashioned, out-dated notion about Love and Marriage.

Yes, it’s Submission in Marriage

Perhaps it was just our Victorian costumes that fascinated him.But I believe it was so much more.

As my friends loaded their cars to leave,I chatted with the park ranger.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

To fulfill his God-Given Purpose in life,
a man must access his Male Passion.

[callout]If you’ve not yet invited Jesus into your life, you can do so now.
He’s with you – wherever you are in the process of life
– and eagerly waiting to hear from you!
It’s simple. Just talk to Him.[/callout]

Perhaps it was just our Victorian costumes that fascinated him.
But I believe it was so much more.

As my friends loaded their cars to leave,
I chatted with the park ranger.