ABIDE IN CHRIST John 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. BE SELFLESS Philippians 2:3-4 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. COMMUNICATION: REMEMBER TO LISTEN FIRST Proverbs 18:2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.
COMMUNICATION: REMEMBER TO LISTEN TO BOTH SIDES Proverbs 18:17 The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him. COMMUNICATION: SPEAK CAREFULLY Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. CONFLICT: CONFRONT GRACIOUSLY Galatians 6:1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
CONFLICT: SEEK TO UNDERSTAND James 1:19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger CONFLICT: SELFISHNESS IS THE CAUSE James 4:1 What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? CONFLICT: SPEAK GENTLY Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
CONFLICT: START WITH YOURSELF Matthew 7:3-5 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, "Let me take the speck out of your eye," when there is a log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother s eye. EXPECTATIONS Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life. GOD IS WITH US Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
HONOR YOUR SPOUSE 1 Peter 3:7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. MARRIAGE: GOD S DESIGN Ephesians 5:21-33 Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present this church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. MARRIAGE: ONENESS Matthew 19:5-6 and said, Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.
ONE ANOTHER: FORGIVE Colossians 3:13 Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other, as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. ONE ANOTHER: LOVING John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. ONE ANOTHER: SERVING Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
ONE ANOTHER: SHEPHERDING 1 Thessalonians 5:14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. SEX IS GOOD 1 Corinthians 7:5 Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.