1	THE MARRIAGE COVENANT AND ITS BLESSINGS
2	Sad News about Marriage Trivial reasons for breakups Fear of entering marriage Increasing numbers of divorces
3	Marriage Is a Covenant God hates divorce. Mal. 2: 14 – 16 God urges permanence. Matt.19: 1 – 9, Mark 10: 1 – 12; Rom.7: 1 - 3
4	God Is Particular About the Marriage Covenant. He knows the pain and suffering divorce causes people. He knows the trouble and wretchedness divorce brings to society.
5	More Reasons He knows the disgrace divorce brings to His name. He wants only the best for His children.
6	Some More Reasons He knows that Satan is the winner in a divorce case. God knows that He is able to preserve any marriage if the couple is willing to work on it. He wants the home to be a symbol of heaven.
7	Wedding Vows Are Sacred Vows and Should Be Kept Unbroken.
8	The Nature of the Marriage Covenant It is a lifelong covenant. It is a covenant of exclusiveness. It is a covenant to face trials together.
9	The Nature of the Covenant It is a covenant of unconditional love. Eph.5:25; Titus 2:4 It is not only a covenant between husband and wife, but also a covenant BEFORE God. Mal.2:14
10	Principles for Preserving the Marriage Covenant Depend on God. Jude 24; Phil.4:13 See your marriage as a post of responsibility in the kingdom of God. 1 Cor.7;12 – 16
11	More Principles Establish your marriage on a biblical foundation. Matt. 7:24 -25. Build hedges around your marriage. Prov.4:23, 25 – 27.
12	Remember this Pray regularly for your marriage. James 5: 17,18
13	Still More Principles Make a commitment to sexual faithfulness and exclusiveness. Prov. 5: 3 – 5 Maintain a sacred circle around your relationship. Gen.2:24; Prov. 12:23
14	Some More Principles Be ready and quick to forgive your spouse’s mistakes. – Col. 3:13 Let truth and honesty characterize your communication with your spouse. Prov. 8: 7- 9; 12: 19 - 22
15	One More Thing Engage in love-building activities. Plan for fun things to do together.
16	Blessings of the Marriage Covenant God as an integral party Ps. 127:1 Mutual spiritual support Eccl. 4:9 Mutual emotional and physical support Gal.6:2; Eccl.4:9 – 12.
17	Blessings,Blessings Potential for experiencing the highest form of love, Eph.5:25
18	Blessings Again Opportunity for enjoying the deepest intimacy 1 Cor.7:3 – 5; Songs of Sol. Opportunity for partnership with God in creation Gen.1:28
19	And One More Privilege of modeling the heavenly family to the world Isa.43:10,Eph.5:25 Your home can be a miniature heaven, filled with love , joy, peace and cheerfulness.
20	Conclusion
21	Discussion
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