INTRODUCTION

Marriage Rocks! God created marriage, and His idea was for marriages to flourish and fill the earth for generations to come. Finding the right person and being the right person will lead to a strong foundation for a marriage relationship that is based on mutual love and respect.

“Marriage is to be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, because God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.” —Hebrews 13:4

Every marriage struggles at some point. Your marriage can either be rocky, or it can be rock solid. A marriage is made up of a husband and wife with a unique blend of personalities, events, scars, circumstances, and dreams. All of these collide when a marriage takes place. Learning to work together for the glory of God is an essential part of the marriage relationship.

Memory Verse:

“Trust in the LORD forever, because in the LORD, the LORD himself, is an everlasting rock!” —Isaiah 26:4

This collection of talks will show you how to build your marriage and your other relationships on the Rock, Jesus Christ.

October 18      The Foundation for a Rockin’ Marriage
October 25      What Every Marriage Needs
November 1      Finding the Love of Your Life   
November 8      Handling Conflict Together 
November 15     How to Avoid an Affair
November 22     Building Strong Communication 

Text: 1 Peter 3:10 (CSB, New Testament)

Marriage Rocks Resource Page

Today’s Takeaway: Strong communication builds strong marriages.

“Wherever you find marital failure, you will find a breakdown in real communication.
Wherever you find marital success, you will find a good communication system.” —Dr. Wayne Mack, Christian Biblical Counselor, Nouthetic Media

MARRIAGE ROCKS WEEK 6: Building Strong Communication

I. RECOGNIZE THE

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OF COMMUNICATION

Negative consequences of poor communication:

A.

is hindered.
B.

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are unresolved.
C.

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is allowed.
D.

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is unclear.

“There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death.” —Proverbs 14:12

II. UNDERSTAND THE

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OF COMMUNICATION

A. Communicating with one another is a

process.

Specialists point out that when you talk with another person, there are actually

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messages that come through:

1. What you

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   to say.

2. What you

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   say.

3. What the other person

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   .

4. What the other person

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   they hear.

5. What the other person

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   about what you said.

6. What you

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   the other person says about what you said.
   
   

Steps to Take in Communication:

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   - the ability to express your feelings and ask for what you want in your relationship.

2. Reveal Answer
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   - the ability to let your spouse know you understand them by restating their message.

B. Good communication is a

-

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street that involves talking and careful, attentive listening.

1. Reveal Answer
   - Ask yourself these questions before you speak:

   a. Is it both

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   and
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   ?

   “But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head—Christ.” —Ephesians 4:15

   b. Is it the

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   way to say it?

   “A word spoken at the right time is like gold apples in silver settings.” —Proverbs 25:11

   c. Is it the

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   time to say it?

   “A person takes joy in giving an answer; and a timely word—how good that is!” —Proverbs 15:23

2. Reveal Answer
   - Put on these hearing aids:
   
   Good listening involves:

   a. Letting the other person speak without

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   (focus on them).

   “The one who gives an answer before he listens—this is foolishness and disgrace for him.” —Proverbs 18:13

   b. Giving the other person your undivided

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   (turn the phone off).

   “My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,” —James 1:19

   c. Making sure you understand what the other person is

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   (ask questions).

   “Counsel in a person’s heart is deep water; but a person of understanding draws it out.” —Proverbs 20:5

III. FOLLOW THE

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OF COMMUNICATION

A. Keep your

right with God.

“For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” —Matthew 12:37

B.

about your words.

“Lord, set up a guard for my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips.” —Psalm 141:3

C. Realize that God gave

and

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different conversation styles.

“So God created man in his own image; he created him in the image of God; he created them male and female.” —Genesis 1:27

D. Seek to

, not just be understood.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. 4 Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.” —Philippians 2:3-4

E. Avoid

.

“When there are many words, sin is unavoidable, but the one who controls his lips is prudent.” —Proverbs 10:19

F.

up - Don’t tear

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.

“No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear.” —Ephesians 4:29

G. Use your tongue to meet the

of your other family members.

“33 To sum up, each one of you is to love his wife as himself, and the wife is to respect her husband.… Children, obey your parents in the Lord, because this is right.” —Ephesians 5:33-6:1

CONCLUSION:

What steps do you need to take to build strong communication in your relationships and marriage?

DEEP DIVE QUESTIONS

1. Read 1 Peter 3:10. What is the promise and the warning in this verse?
   

2. Pastor Gary talked about the 6 messages that come through when we speak. Talk about an example of how you have seen misunderstandings in these areas.
   

3. There are 3 questions we should ask ourselves before we speak. Which one do you struggle with?
   

4. What do you need to work on this week to build stronger communication in your relationships and marriage?

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