Principle 8: Support Each Other In Serving Others.

UNCOMMON WISDOM

Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in the ministry of Christ Jesus. In fact, they once risked their lives for me. I am thankful to them, and so are all the Gentile churches.

—Romans 16:3-4

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.

Consider what gifts, position, and influence God has given you as a platform to help other people.

We are each created by God with a unique purpose, passions, potential, and platform. This week, think about your own purpose, passion, potential, and platform. Talk about how you might use them to impact those around you for their good and His glory.

Discover joy by giving to others in a way that suits you both.

When it comes to helping others, where do you and your spouse’s passions intersect? Set aside fifteen minutes this week to talk with your spouse about the gifts and resources God has given you. Begin brainstorming a few ways you might reach out to someone in your community. If you already serve together, discuss how satisfied each of you are with that outreach.

Use your resources and gifts in a way that glorifies God.

Take time to talk about which abilities and interests spark the most passion in each one of you. How well are you supporting one another as you seek to use those gifts?

Be hospitable.

How can you and your spouse reach out and make a difference to someone this week?

Model what a healthy marital relationship looks like to other young couples.

Even though you probably don’t feel that you have marriage all figured out, try to identify an area where you and your spouse might be a role model for another couple.

Don’t spread yourself too thin; it’s hard to serve well and joyfully when you’re overcommitted.

What is an area that has been on the back burner too long and needs some attention from you? Are there steps you can take to make sure it gets the attention it deserves?

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 the Lord to enable you to serve together in ways that deepen your relationship and bring glory to Him.

Praise God for giving you individual gifts and personalities that you can use together to reach out to others.

Acknowledge your tendency—which all people share—to be so focused on your own problems, obligations, and schedule that you sometimes miss opportunities to help others.

Ask the Holy Spirit to point out the people He’s put in your life to serve—and then ask Him for the grace and strength you need to obey His direction.

Seek the Lord’s guidance in helping you see who needs hospitality—whether a simple greeting, a meal, or an act of service—this week.

Lift up the names of couples who may need to see what a healthy marital relationship looks like—perhaps because they are newly married or are struggling. Then ask God to show you how you and your spouse might be able to encourage them in their relationship in the coming days.