February 14, 2010
3 Keys for a Thriving Relationship!
Scott Hooper

Col 3:17-19

17 And whatever you do in word or deed, {do} all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

18 Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be embittered against them.

• WE ARE MARRIED FOR HIS NAME'S SAKE!!
• OUR MARRIAGE RELATIONSHIP EXISTS TO BRING HIM GLORY AND ATTENTION; IT IS DESIGNED TO MAKE HIM HAPPY; IT IS DESIGNED TO MAKE OTHERS AWARE OF THE VALUE AND WORTH OF GOD

Marriage and Divorce Statistics (2002)

59% Percent of population is married:
(down from 62% in 1990, 72% in 1970)

10%Percent of population is divorced:
(up from 8% in 1990, 6% in 1980) 2% per decade

5.5 million unmarried couples living together:

89% Percent of the 5.5 mil unmarried couples living together are male-female unions:

9.2% Percent of all households run by single moms

1.9% Percent of all households run by single dads

Number of single parents: Males: 2.04 million
Females: 9.68 million

Total single mothers who are divorced:
3.392 million

Total single mothers never married:
4.181 million

Fatherless homes account for:
63% of youth suicides
90% of homeless/runaway children
85% of children with behavior problems
71% of high school dropouts
85% of youths in prison
well over 50% of teen mothers

(Sources: U.S. Census Bureau , National Center for Health Statistics , Americans for Divorce Reform , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Institute for Equality in Marriage, American Association for Single People, Ameristat, Public Agenda)

3 keys for a thriving marriage:

1. Covenant - You initiate a covenant because of your love for someone, you keep it because of your faithfulness.
•  Isaiah 54:10

2. Accountability/ Godly Counsel
•  Gal. 2:11-15-



3. Love that is developing and getting stronger .
•  Loving One another shows who you belong to– 1 John 4:7-8
•  Treat the other as MORE important – Phillippians 2:1-4
•  Lay down your life for the other – 1 John 3:16-17