Read an Excerpt
A Couple's Guide to a Growing Marriage
A Bible Study
By Gary D. Chapman Moody Publishers
Copyright © 2014 Gary D. Chapman
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-8024-1228-7
CHAPTER 1
ENHANCING MY CONVERSATION with GOD
The fundamental building block in any relationship is conversation—two-way communication. I share my ideas and you listen. You share your ideas and I listen. The results? We understand each other a little better. Continue conversation over a period of time and we get to know each other. The same is true with God. The only way we get to know God is to spend time conversing with Him.
Many Christians have viewed Bible reading and prayer as formal religious exercises. In reality, Bible reading should be equated with listening to God, and prayer is the process of talking and listening to God. Many Christians have also tended to see Bible reading and prayer as two distinct experiences. We read the Bible, close it, and then start praying about things totally unrelated to what we have read. It is as though we say to God, "What You have said is relatively unimportant. Now You listen to what I have to say." All of us have encountered people who respond to our comments in a similar manner. That is, when we finish speaking, they change the subject and begin telling us something unrelated. Most of us don't care to be around such people. The greatest insult we can give another person is not to listen when he or she speaks. It is not any different with God.
If you are going to learn effective communication with God, you must join Bible reading and prayer. One way to do that is to mark your Bible as you read and then go back and talk with God about what you marked. Begin your Bible reading with this prayer: "Lord, I will read this chapter from Your Word. I want to hear what You have to say to me. Keep my mind alert and speak to me as I read." Then, with pencil or pen in hand, read the chapter and mark anything that impresses you. Various ways to mark a passage are suggested in the box on this page.
Having read the chapter, go back to those statements you marked and respond to God.
• You may respond to God by asking God a question. "Lord, is this verse really saying what I think it is saying?" or "Lord, I don't understand. How is this verse related to the verse I read last week on this subject?"
• You may respond to God by thanking Him for some truth you have marked. "Lord, thank You that You do love me with an unending love. That really makes me feel secure. Thank you, Lord."
• You may respond to God with praise. "Father, I want to praise You that You are indeed, as this verse says, 'the creator of the ends of the earth.' I praise You as Creator and Sustainer of all life, including me."
• You may want to respond to God with a request. "Oh, Lord, I really do want to love others. Pour Your love in my heart today and show me how to express love to my spouse."
Your responses to God will be as varied as your responses to others. You should express your honest feelings, thoughts, and ideas to God. That is the purpose of communication. God shares His ideas with you and you respond to what He has said.
Having talked with God about the things He has brought to your attention, you are now free to change the subject. You may then talk with God about something unrelated to what you have read. You share with God your concerns, feelings, and desires. Pray for your family, your job, your church, and other concerns.
This two-way process of talking and listening to God should be a daily experience for the Christian. Few things are more important in developing a relationship with God than your personal time with Him each day. Thus, our goal this week is to begin establishing a brief time each day to have an open conversation with God. This will be a regular part of A Couples Guide to a Growing Marriage. Remember from the introduction that this is one aspect of your daily growth exercise. With your Bible and pen, find a quiet place and begin today. We suggest that you read through one book of the Bible before beginning another. If you have not already chosen a book, you may want to begin with Philippians. List the chapter you read each day below.
Monday ___________________________________________
Tuesday __________________________________________
Wednesday ________________________________________
Thursday _________________________________________
Friday ___________________________________________
Saturday _________________________________________
Sunday ___________________________________________
BIBLE STUDY
1. Read John 17:3: "This is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth." Write Jesus' definition of eternal life according to this passage: _____ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________
2. Briefly describe how you get to know someone. _________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________
3. All relationships have a beginning point. When did your relationship with God begin? _____________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________
4. Read Psalm 119:105: "Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. " All relationships are enhanced by communication. According to Psalm 119:105, what is God's primary means of communication? ___________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________
5. Read Psalm 119:9–11: "How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word. I have tried hard to find you—don't let me wander from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." Check some of the results of hearing and obeying God's Word.
[] Live according to God's Word
[] Seek God with all my heart
[] Never have problems
[] Not sin against God
[] Not stray from God's commands
[] Be happy
6. Read Jeremiah 15:16: "When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God of Heavens Armies." According to this passage, what effect did the Word of God have on Jeremiah? _____________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________
What does it mean to "devour" God's Word? ________________________ __________________________________________________________________
7. Read Psalm 119:12–16: "I praise you, O Lord; teach me your decrees. I have recited aloud all the regulations you have given us. I have rejoiced in your laws as much as in riches. I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways. I will delight in your decrees and not forget your word." List several ways found in these verses in which the psalmist responded to God's Word. ________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________
8. David said, "I will not forget your word" (Psalm 1x9:16). What are some of the activities that will help us remember the Word of God?
[] Writing it down
[] Meditating on it
[] Applying it
[] Memorizing it
[] Saying it aloud
[] Discussing it with others
9. Did you list memorizing as one method of remembering? In A Couple's Guide to a Growing Marriage we will memorize key verses that give us life principles, truths that will shape our relationships in marriage. One such verse is, "Be kind to each other, tenderhearted" (Ephesians 4:32).
We will concentrate on learning this portion of this verse this week. At least once a day repeat the reference, the verses, and the reference again. Repeat this sequence now.
Ephesians 4:32 Be kind to each other, tenderhearted. Ephesians 4:32
10. Write one way you could express kindness to your spouse this week. __________________________________________________________________
(If you cannot think of one, ask your spouse and write the answer above.)
[] Check here when you have expressed the kindness you noted above.
Note one way you were not kind to your spouse during the past few days. __________________________________________________________________
(If you cannot think of one, ask your spouse and write the answer above.)
11. Not only does God talk to us through Scripture, but God wants us to talk to Him about His Word. Read Psalm 119:33–40. Match the Scripture passage with the requests David made of God. Write the letter on the line beside the reference.
__ v. 33 a. Turn my eyes from worthless things.
__ v. 34 b. Make me walk along the path of your commands.
__ v. 35 c. Renew my life with your goodness.
__ v. 36 d. Reassure me of your promise.
__ v. 37 e. Give me understanding.
__ v. 38 f. Give me an eagerness for your laws.
__ v. 39 g. Teach me your decrees.
__ v. 40 h. Help me abandon my shameful ways.
Check your answers below.
12. Read this passage again as a prayer to God emphasizing the words me, my, and mine. Make it a personal prayer.
(answers to Bible study item 11: g, e, b, f, a, d, h, c)
LEARNING EXERCISE
As you begin this study, list three things you would like to see happen in your relationship with God and with your spouse in the next few weeks.
My Relationship 'with God
Three things I would like to see happen in my relationship with God:
1. __________________________________________________
2. __________________________________________________
3. __________________________________________________
My Relationship with My Spouse
Three things I would like to see happen in my relationship with my spouse:
1. __________________________________________________
2. __________________________________________________
3. __________________________________________________
Include these desires in your personal prayers this week, as you have your daily time of listening to and talking with God.
CHAPTER 2
ENHANCING MY CONVERSATION with MY SPOUSE
Last week we talked about getting to know God by means of personal conversation with Him. This week we will discuss getting to know each other as husband and wife by the same process. The Scriptures indicate that husbands and wives are to become "one" (Genesis 2:24). They are to share life to such a degree that they have a sense of unity, or togetherness.
• "We are a team."
• "We know each other."
• "We understand each other."
• "We choose to walk in step with each other."
• "Our lives are inseparably bound together."
• "We are one."
These are the statements of happily married couples.
Becoming "one" does not mean that we have lost our personal identities. We retain our personalities. We have personal goals and ambitions. The typical husband and wife spend many hours each day geographically separated from each other, each pursuing different activities. Marital "oneness" is not sameness, it is rather that inner feeling that assures us we are "together" even when we are apart. For this to happen, each partner makes the commitment to help the other develop as a person and to reach our potential as individuals and as a couple.
Such "oneness" is not automatic. Becoming "one" is the result of many shared thoughts, feelings, activities, dreams, frustrations, joys, and sorrows. In short, it is the result of sharing life.
Verbal conversation is the primary process by which we share life. All of us know couples who seem to have a genuine sense of "oneness." Unfortunately, most of us know more couples who seem unable to "get it together." The major difference between these two types of couples is that the former has developed consistent communication patterns while the latter has not. One makes time for conversation, while the other simply lets things ride.
Last week we discussed the necessity of establishing a brief time each day for conversation with God. This week we will begin to establish a daily communication time with our spouses. Knowing God is a process that requires two-way communication. Knowing and becoming one with your spouse will require the same.
After completing your Bible study, you will find a learning exercise that will help you begin to establish regular communication with your spouse.
BIBLE STUDY
1. Read 1 Corinthians 2:11: "No one can know a persons thoughts except that persons own spirit." What fact stated in this passage makes communication a necessity in a good marriage? _________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________
2. If you are the only one who knows your thoughts, why is communication so important in your marriage? ________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________
3. Read 2 Corinthians 6:11–13: "We have spoken honestly with you, and our hearts are open to you. There is no lack of love on our part, but you have withheld your love from us. I am asking you to respond as if you were my own children. Open your hearts to us!" What is Paul's request of the Corinthians? _________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________
In what way had Paul set the example for the Corinthians, according to these verses? ____________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________
What may have hindered the Corinthians from opening their hearts and communicating freely with Paul? (This is a thought question, with the answer not found in the text.) ___________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________
What might keep you from opening your heart and sharing freely with your spouse? ___________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________
4. Read 1 Corinthians 14:8–9: "If the bugler doesn't sound a clear call, how will the soldiers know they are being called to battle? It's the same for you. If you speak to people in words they don't understand, how will they know what you are saying? You might as well be talking into empty space." The context of 1 Corinthians 14:8–9 is guidance for speaking in the church. What principle or guideline might we learn from this passage for communication in marriage? ______ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________
5. Can you think of a recent example in your marriage when you did not speak very clearly and thus your spouse misunderstood? What problems did that cause in your communication? Briefly describe them here. __________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________
6. Read James 5:12: "Just say a simple yes or no, so that you will not sin and be condemned." What communication principle is found in this verse? _________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________
Can you give an illustration in your own communication when you said yes but meant no? Briefly describe your illustration. _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________
7. Read James 1:19: "Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry." What three implications for communication are found in this verse?
a) quick to _________________________________________________
b) slow to __________________________________________________
c) slow to get ______________________________________________
(Continues...)
Excerpted from A Couple's Guide to a Growing Marriage by Gary D. Chapman. Copyright © 2014 Gary D. Chapman. Excerpted by permission of Moody Publishers.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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