How to Grow a Marriage
Malachi 2:13-16
Theme: How to Grow a Marriage
- Marriage demands constant change, and without it, marriages deteriorate
- The need for growth and development in marriage
Examination of Malachi 2:13-16
- Introduction to the prophet Malachi and the cultural context of his time
- Malachi 2:13-16
- Explanation of the key message: the need for faithfulness in marriage and the covenant with God
Five Must-Changes for a Growing Marriage
- Perspective Must Change
- Treating your partner with the same love and creativity as when you were young
- Recognizing the changes that life brings and continuing to cultivate the relationship
- Relationship Must Change
- Treating your partner as your best friend
- Characteristics of a friend: mutual acceptance and respect, taking initiative, and unconditional love
- Commitment Must Change
- Understanding marriage as a covenant relationship with your partner, society, and God
- Emphasis on the seriousness of marriage vows and the need for unwavering commitment
- Objective Must Change
- Aim to provide a godly seed (children)
- Importance of a stable, loving marriage for the security and spiritual growth of children
- Reference to the creation account in Genesis and the role of the helper
- Attitude Must Change
- Solving marriage problems in the inner man (spirit)
- Importance of faithfulness and commitment in thought life
- Role of church leaders as examples of faithfulness
Conclusion
- Prayer for the attendees to be renewed and with hope
- Encouragement to trust in God's power and faithfulness for their marriages
*The above summary is AI-generated, so discrepancies may exist. Please refer to the audio or video file to verify accuracy.
About the Contributors
Howard G. Hendricks
Dr. Howard G. Hendricks, known simply as “Prof,” directly or indirectly touched millions of lives in the evangelical community and beyond. For more than sixty years Prof served on the faculty of Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS), where he taught more than ten thousand students. He served as the chairman of the Center for Christian Leadership for over twenty years. He also ministered in person in more than eighty countries. Through speaking engagements, radio, tapes, films, the sixteen books he authored and coauthored, countless journal and popular-market articles, his service on numerous boards, and his work as a chaplain to the Dallas Cowboys (1976–1984), his reach was and is worldwide.
His legacy, in partnership with Jeanne, his wife of more than sixty-five years, includes four children and six grandchildren. Holding large audiences enthralled at venues such as Billy Graham’s conference center or Promise Keepers’ stadium rallies, Prof would confide, “It’s wonderful to be here with you, but I have a group of delicious students waiting for me back at the seminary.”
Contributors
