Principle 5: Practice Committed Love.

UNCOMMON WISDOM

This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one. —Genesis 2:22-24

UNCOMMON PRACTICE

Take a few moments to select one of this week’s practices to explore further. The related Adventure Application appears just below each practice. If you’d prefer to come up with a different way of living out that practice this week, feel free to discuss what that might look like.

Commit to stay together, no matter what.

You learned about commitment and marriage from your parents. What other influences—media, your friends, or the wider culture—have shaped your views? How do those messages square with Jesus’ words in today’s Scripture?

Spend time, if possible, getting to know each other before starting a family.

Deciding when and if to have children is just one of many decisions married couples must make. If you were to recommend one choice you and your spouse made (or wish you had made) early on to establish a strong foundation for your marriage, what would it be?

Be willing to sacrifice to support your spouse’s passion.

Where can you do better at sacrificing to help support something your spouse really loves and wants to do? Find a way to do that this week.

Be sensitive and considerate to your spouse during transitions.

Are you currently going through a period of change, or are you looking ahead to a transition in the future? Talk to each other about it. Plan what each of you can do to help the other and your children with any change.

Expect that life will bring some difficult times; don’t let them pull you away from your spouse.

We hope you’re not facing anything now that is causing you sorrow or pain. The reality of life is that eventually we all will face a heartbreaking experience that brings us to a point of despair. Be ready, and cling to Him, and hold fast to each other. Stay close and remember how much He loves you and all of His children.

Affirm and express love to your spouse—especially when he or she is going through tough times.

Paul calls us to pay attention and to express our love to each other always, including those most difficult moments. How can you do that this week for your spouse? And next week?

UNCOMMON PRAYER

Take a few minutes to discuss any praises and needs you’d like to bring to God as a couple. Then, in addition to praying about those things, use one or more of the following prayer prompts to ask for God to deepen your love for and commitment to each other.

Praise God for His unconditional love for you, along with His promise never to leave or forsake you (see Deuteronomy 31:6).

Confess anything—whether resentment, mistrust, fear, disagreements, conflict—that is hampering your ability to love each other as you would like. Ask God to begin to soften both of your hearts so you can be more tender with each other.

Intercede for family members who do not yet know the Father’s love for them. Ask God to show you one way you might model His love to them in the coming week.