Eric & Vonetta Williams

Christ Tabernacle’s Marriage Enrichment Program

That’s us babe!

Our Life: Our Future

Agape

Phileo

Eros

Marriage Counseling

Marriage ?

•Entering a relationship is like entering a maze. And you have to know the proper path that will lead to a quality marriage.

•That path is friendship, courtship, commitment, marriage.

•We take the couple back through the three stages to help edify their relationship. •At each junction establishing a contract that consist of guidelines, goals & responsibilities that are objectively based on an external model (Christ & Church) and that benefit both parties.

Contract

ContractContract

Stick to the contract!

Or ScriptureEcclesiastics 4:12

Though one may be overpowered,

two can defend themselves.

A rope of three strands is not easily

broken.

RELATIONSHIPS

String, Rope, or chains...

Ecclesiastics 4:12

RELATIONSHIPS

1)What is it a relationship,

2)What are its dynamics,

3)How to assess our relationships

4)What is the standard model

Our objectives:

RELATIONSHIPS

PeopleFinances

My Spouse

Relationship?

Problem

The state of being related or connected in some way to another person

What areSome believe that the

“issues” are the problem in a relationship.

The real problem is that they may not know what a

relationship is.

RELATIONSHIPSWhat connects us?

String Rope Chain

?Why is this important?1. When we got together

it was about us. 2. But as time goes on we

grow as individuals; 3. but as our relationship

matures, we acquire things that depend on us staying together.

4. Trials and situations can put a strain on the relationship and threaten us and our “us” stuff.5. We need something

strong enough to keep us together.

How strong is your relationship?

We have to make sure we are connected by

love and not circumstances; and

that this love is strong.

RELATIONSHIPS

What connects us?

String Rope Chain

?

What do you think a string relationship is like?

WeakWon’t last

Ball of string represents circumstances. Explain what will

happen to the relationship when it runs out.

String RelationshipsRules: No commitment/responsibilityBuilt on: circumstances Symptoms: Emotional, DisappointmentOut come: Separation/divorce

RELATIONSHIPS What connects us?

Rope Chain

Chain RelationshipsRules: Set your own RulesBased on: Fight for control, revenge.Symptoms: Argue, distrust, dishonesty, neglect, abuse, fearOutcome: violence, broken spirit, hard heartedness

String RelationshipsRules: No commitment/responsibilityBuilt on: circumstances Symptoms: Emotions, DisappointmentOut come: Separation/divorce

Explain what happens to the love when situations pull on the relationship.

Describe the strength of this relationship.

RELATIONSHIPS What connects us?

Rope

Chain RelationshipsRules: Set your own RulesBased on: Fight for control, revenge.Symptoms: Argue, distrust, dishonesty, neglect, abuse, fearOutcome: violence, broken/hard heart

String RelationshipsRules: No commitment/responsibilityBuilt on: circumstances Symptoms: EmotionOut come: Separation/divorce

Describe the strength of this relationship.

Explain what happens when situations pull on the relationship.

Rope RelationshipsRules: Based on agreeable standardBuilt on: CommitmentSymptoms: Tight/closeness, endurance, trust, compromise, understanding/empathyOut come: Built to last

GOD

RELATIONSHIPS

Love

Love

Love

Love

LoveFlawed

Flawed

Struggles

Desires

World

Love

SINFlawed

1Corinthians 11:3God is the head of Christ

What is the true model

for a relationship?

Christ is the head of man

Man is the head of woman

What is this relationship based on?

LoveBut Sin entered the world an man became flawed. And love flowed only one way, from Christ to man.

Consequently the love that flowed between us now became flawed.

Add to that the affairs of this world, selfish desires, and the struggles of life.

Many of us say we will leave without trying when we feel our spouse is not giving us the love we deserve.

But when we did not love God, that’s when He showed us how much He loved us by sending His son to die for our sins. And the loved flowed both ways again.

And we must put Christ in our relationship so love can flow properly between us.Christ acts as a conduit of God’s love

and filters out all the unpleasant factors that can poison a relationship.

RELATIONSHIPS

Love

Human Flaws

Selfish Desires

Affairs of the World

Human Flaws

Struggles of Life

Selfish Desires

Affairs of the World

Struggles of Life Stick to the contract

Make your “love” paymentsThe enemy won’t repossess your relationship.

Love

Love

Please mess up! Please

please mess up!

You need a contract

That reflects God’s love

And is based on God’s word