Vince & Lori Conroy [email protected]

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Vince & Lori [email protected]

Me Too!I Do!

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generous :“Liberal in giving or sharing…”

“Free from meanness or smallness of mind or character…”

“Large, abundant, ample…”

“Fertile and prolific…”

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The Answer to Selfishness in Marriage….

“The Christian principle that needs to be at work is Spirit-generated selflessness— not thinking less of yourself or more of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.”

Timothy Keller, The Meaning of Marriage

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Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

- Philippians 2.3-4

God’s Says…

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generous marriage =

Generous with your MATE

Generous with OTHERS

Generous with GOD

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1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2008 2010 20110

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14 17 20 23 2327 28 29

5 6 9 11 13 14 14 14

72 6962

58 5752 51 51

Percentage of Adults 18+

Never Married Divorced Married

Source: Pew Research, 2011

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Marriage with

Purpose &Passion

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The Emmaus Road - Luke 24.13-17

Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.

He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast.

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The Emmaus Road - Luke 24.18-24

One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

“What things?” he asked.

“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people….. (goes to explain all that happened)

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The Emmaus Road - Luke 24.25-27

He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?”

And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

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What is the Purpose of Marriage?

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Marriage Teaches Us How to Love

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor.

- Romans 12.9-10 (NRSV)

Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.

- Romans 12.9-10 (The Message)

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The Purpose of Sex ….

Dr. Les Parrott: “…. The purpose of sex goes deeper than pleasure. It holds more meaning than ‘feeling good.’ Are you ready for this? Sex is not only designed to make you happy but to make you holy… Sex is as much spiritual as it is physical. Sex can bring you closer to the one who created it.”

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Marriage Teaches Us How to Forgive

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

- Colossians 3:13 (NIV)

Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you.

- Colossians 3:13 (The Message)

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Three “Levels” for Forgiveness

Level 1:Things that you just ignore and move on.

Level 2:Deeper offenses that definitely need to be discussed and worked through.

Level 3:Serious issues which need additional or outside help.

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Nine Traits of Temperament

Activity

Regularity

Approach to new things

Adaptability

Intensity

Mood

Persistence

Distractibility

Sensitivity

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Three General Categories of Temperament

Flexible or Compliant: Positive mood, regularity in bodily functions, moderated intensity of reaction, adaptability to new situations

Determined or Active: Irregularity in bodily functions, intensity in reactions, a tendency to withdraw, difficulty adapting to changes and often in a negative mood.

Cautious or Shy: Low activity levels, tend to withdraw, slower to adapt, tend to be moody, and respond to situations with low intensity

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Marriage Teaches Us Perseverance

May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance. - 2 Thessalonians 3.5 (NIV)

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Why Do We NeedPassion in Marriage?

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The Emmaus Road - Luke 24.28-29

As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.

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The Emmaus Road - Luke 24.30-35

They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

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Closing Prayer

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Learning to Love… by Reading Together…