- The Suffocation Model: “Culturally we are asking much of our marriages, but doing little to make it happen.” — Eli J Finkel, The All-or-Nothing Marriage
- Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
- Physiological
- Safety
- Belonging
- Esteem
- Self-Actualization
- “In marriage, we want it all—but we want it on the cheap.” — Eli J Finkel, The All-or-Nothing Marriage
- What do we do as the local church?
- Myth: Worship services and small groups are enough.
- Myth: Couples will call us if they need us.
- Myth: It’s never too late.
- Myth: We will alienate people if we focus on marriage.
- Bottom line: Marriage is important to everyone.
- Why is marriage the church’s business?
- Marriage is an illustration of Christ and the Church.
- Kids need great models of marriage.
- We are raising future husbands and wives.
- Marriage is a spiritual issue.
- But how? Teach a new, old view.
- “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Ephesians 5:21
- Race to the back of the line!
- Core 4 Habits
- Have Serious Fun
- Love God First
- Respect and Love
- Practice Your Promise
- Less content, more often
- Larger Group Experiences
- Worship Services
- Retreats
- One-Night Events
- Larger Group Statistics
- Special events have significant appeal to those ages 18-45 years old.
- 49% agree special events make evangelizing easier.
- 57% of churchless Americans would prefer a different introduction to church vs. Sunday Services.
- 74% of those who participate in special events feel more connected with their faith community.
- 70% believe special events allow them to meet others of their faith.
- 69% agree special event attendance strengthens their faith.
- 56% affirm these events help them overcome life’s difficulties.
- 49% agree special events make evangelizing easier.
- Small Group Experiences
- “Community isn’t community any more, it is just a collection of homes.” — Sebastian Junger, The Quest for Tribe
- “The biggest issue in U.S. is that we no longer need each other.”
- “We now ask our lovers for the emotional connection and sense of belonging that my grandmother could get from a whole village.” — Dr. Sue Johnson
- “I mean that I want us to help each other with the faith we have. Your faith will help me, and my faith will help you.” — Romans 1:12 NCV
- Small Group Options
- Start One
- Change One
- Individual Couples
- Cities with major league baseball teams have a 28% lower divorce rate.
- Date Nights
- MarriedPeople Monthly
- MarriedPeople Podcast
- MarriedPeople Blog
- Healthy couples have a “love map,” they place in the brain where they store all important information about their spouse’s life. — Dr. John Gottman
- What if we do marriage ministry right?
- Marriage makes Christ and the Church look really good.
- Kids have marriage models that make marriage look really good.
- There is, perhaps, no greater relationship that God uses to make us more like him than marriage.
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Married People exists to help your church help marriages. We provide resources, training, and community to church leaders who work with marriages and families.