1-God's Architecture For Marriage, pt1

The late Dr. Wayne Mack introduces STRENGTHENING YOUR MARRIAGE with the following words. "One plus one equals one may not be an accurate mathematical concept, but it is an accurate description of God's intention for the marriage relationship. That this is an accurate description of God's purpose for the marriage relationship is revealed in the creation account itself. Scripture says, 'For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother and shall cleave to his wife, and they shall become one flesh' (Gen 2:24). Years of experience as a pastor and counselor have convinced me that many marriages are far below the biblical norm. Even many Christians are not experiencing the oneness in their marriages that God says they should have. Their marriages are not providing the satisfaction that God intended them to bring. Nor are they the testimony for Christ that God wants them to be (Eph 5:29-32). This particular manual has been designed as a tool for developing true unity in the marriage relationship. The material is like a ladder or stairway, each unit being based upon and related to every other unit, with the goal of all material being that of true unity or oneness in marriage.... Study questions and practical exercises also form a part of every unit, which are not simply busy work. They are designed to provide the basis for practical, specific, personalized research and direction which will result in the development of greater unity in your marriage. Scripture says 'In all labor there is profit' (Prov 14:23), and nowhere is this more true than in the marriage relationship. Good, God-honoring marriages do not just happen. They are the result of dedicated, diligent, consistent prayer and work on the part of both husband and wife. In this manual I call you to work--to work on the most important human relationship in your life. What I am going to ask you to do will not be easy. Time, effort, serious thought, painful examination, and honest evaluation will be required. But I guarantee you that your prayerful efforts will be richly rewarded!" Good marriages will be made better, sour marriages will become sweet, and God's name will be manifestly glorified! Even if you are a widow or widower, don't you think that more study in this arena would help you better disciple young couples, per Titus 2! And to those unmarried, I trust that you will add hands and feet to your prayers for a godly mate, by preparing a biblical foundation of a solid biblical theology of marriage. Grab yourself a copy of Doc Mack's "Strengthening Your Marriage" so that each week you can go further in our study, as I assign various units corresponding with the lesson. You can read the chapter, work through the discussion questions, and then fellowship with your spouse, comparing your answers during date night each week. Join us at 6:00 each Wednesday evening for GBC's live-stream Bible study. And as usual, go to www.biblicalexpositor.org under document downloads to print off your handouts for "The Blueprint of a Healthy Marriage." Handouts are typically uploaded an hour before study & sometimes earlier:)