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This week we are talking about marriage. Stormie starts the chapter off by telling a story about her husband. She talks about a problem that was not there before they got married, but became a problem after they got married, and how they resolved it by compromise and prayer. The point of the story was  to show that even small things can add up and “become pivotal in determining whether a marriage stays together or falls apart.”

Stormie continues on about applying prayer to marriage. She says, “Praying about all aspects of a marriage keeps the concept of divorce from gaining any hold. So we mustn’t neglect the major issues, even if we think they don’t apply to us. From the day we were married, I prayed that there would be no divorce or adultery in our future. Although there was no history of either of those in our backgrounds, divorce and adultery had so saturated our culture and the business we were in that they were almost expected in some circles. I prayed that God would preserve our marriage from any such destruction. He has been faithful to answer those prayers.”

When I was fifteen, my parents divorced. Because of that when I got married, I made sure that we both knew that divorce was a bad word in our house, and that it was never to be used, even in anger. I believe prayer holds a big part in that. Because if we do not pray or put God first in our marriage, our marriage and everything else is going to fall apart. Prayer is a must, if you want your marriage to last in this day and age, where divorce is the norm.

“Marriage is great when two people into it with a mutual commitment to keep it strong no matter what. But often a couple will have preconceived ideas about who the other is and how married life is supposed to be, and then reality hits. You have to continually pray  that any unreal expectations be exposed and all incompatibilities be smoothed out so that you grow together in a spirit of unity, commitment, and a bond of intimacy. Pray that your marriage is a place where two agree so God will be in the midst of it (Matthew 18:19,20). If either of you has been married before, pray that you do not bring any residue from that into your marriage now. Break any ties-good or bad, emotional or spiritual-with any former relationships. You can’t move forward into the future if you have a foot stuck in the past.”

I think everyone has an idea of what they think their marriage will be like and is disappointed at some point. No marriage is perfect, but through a lot of work and prayer you and your spouse can still have the marriage you want.

“Don’t take your marriage for granted, no matter how great it is. Pray for your marriage to be protected from any person or situation that could destroy it. Ask the Lord to do whatever it takes to keep the marriage intact, even if it means striking one of you with lightening when you think about giving it all up! Pray that God will make your marriage a source of joy and life to both of you, and not a drudgery, a thorn, a dread, an irritation, or a temporary condition.”

With all the pressures of military life, marriage can be even harder. Determine today to keep your marriage in prayer every day. You will be glad you did!

Prayer:
Lord, I pray You would protect our marriage from anything that would harm or destroy it. Shield it from our own plans and desires of others, and from unhealthy or dangerous situations. May there be no thoughts of divorce or infidelity in our hearts, and none in our future. Set us free from past hurts, memories, and ties from previous relationships, and unrealistic expectations of one another. I pray ther there be no jealousy in either of us, or the low self-esteem that presedes that. Let nothing come into our hears and habits that would threaten the marriage in any way, especially influences like alcohol, drugs, gambling, pornograhy, lust, or obsessions.

“Unite us in a bond of friendship, commitment, generosity, and understanding. Eliminate our immaturity, hostilty, or feelings of inadequacy. Help us to make time for one another alone, to nurture and renew the marriage and remind ourselves of the reasons we were married in the first place. I pray that (husband’s name) will be so committed to You, Lord, that his commitment to me will not waiver, no matter what storms come. I pray that our love for each other will grow stronger every day, so that we will never leave a legacy of divorce to our children.”

Power Tools:
-Ecclesiates 4:9,10
-Malachi 2:15,16
-Hebrews 13:4
-Ecclesiastes 4:11
-I Corinthians 7:10,11

If you would like to discuss the Bible Study with others, please join the message boards here:

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I grew up going to little independent Bible churches. They were great at teaching me the importance of scripture memorization and they had a great reverence for the Bible. But as a child I associated the concept of catechism with stiff, formal, empty Christianity – just religion without faith or a relationship with Christ. I even remember being told that catechism was foolish because it valued man’s works over scripture.

In adulthood, my husband and I found a great church. But I was surprised at how they valued catechism. I couldn’t understand why this truly Christ-centered, gospel-centered church valued “man’s works” so highly. They used catechism in children’s church. They had a catechism class for adults. Some people even taught catechism to their children at home. Through their influence, I slowly gained a better view of the concept of catechism. Catechism is simply an organized education in the foundations and concepts of Christianity. Few people would deny the value of an organized system of education in subjects such as science or mathematics. However some of us cringe at creating a formal method of study when it comes to our faith. As if it lessens the emotional or spiritual aspects of our faith. In my experience, catechism has done the opposite. It has deepened and strengthened my walk with God. It has led me to think about concepts and issues that I had never considered before.

A good catechism will give you a framework from which to understand scripture as a whole. For example, the Westminster Shorter Catechism has scripture references to support each answer. Catechism is not meant to replace scripture but to organize the concepts into units. It is subject to scripture. It is not greater than or even equal to scripture but it is a valuable tool for studying the word of God.

When my children were born, a wonderful mentor encouraged me to educate my children through catechism as well as scripture memorization. It has been a wonderful experience! At our house we are in the preschool stage. We use a children’s catechism that is simple and just right for little attention spans. It is a series of questions and answers, each one logically flowing into the next. I have included the link below. We are slowly memorizing each pair of questions and answers. The conversations that we have had are amazing! Sometimes as we memorize one question, they will ask the next question before I even get to it.

Here are a few tips to help you begin Catechism with your children.

1. Keep the catechism in a place that you and your kids frequently spend time together. For us that’s the dinner table but maybe for you it would be the car, their bedside table, your homeschool table, or the coffee table.
2. Keep them neat and organized with notecards, or a binder. You can also order a booklet from Amazon, Christian Book Distributors or a denominational publisher.
3. If the wording or vocabulary is awkward for you, then feel free to change it slightly. It’s not the word of God!
4. As you add a new question and answer pair, repeat them several times throughout the day. Preschoolers are like sponges and often they can memorize a new question and answer each day.
5. Pair the catechism with supporting Bible verses. It reinforces the concepts and keeps them (and you!) memorizing God’s word.
6. Make it a game. Throw a ball back and forth as you ask questions and they answer. Or for older children, make a matching game with the questions on one card and the answers on another.

There are catechisms for all age groups and most denominations. Ask your church leader if they have any recommendations or consider these popular catechisms listed here.

Children’s Catechism

Westminster Shorter Catechism

Heidelberg Catechism

Belgic Confession

Other Catechism Resources

Fathers, Instruct Your Children: Recovering the Practice of Catechism in the Home

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Kristi Boyd is the wife of an Air Force chaplain and the mother of 3 amazing children. She enjoys crochet, gardening, bargain hunting and exploring wherever the military tells them is home. If you want to read more, then you can find her blog at http://whateverp48.blogspot.com.

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This week we are talking about the attitudes our husbands have. Attitudes are really important because not only do they affect ourselves, but they affect those around us too. Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference. -Winston Churchill

“No one wants to be around a person with a bad attitude. Life is hard enough without listening to someone constantly complaining in your ear. I know a man who is so in the habit of being angry and miserable that it is his first reaction to everything - even good news. When great things happen, he finds something to be upset about. Unfortunately, this was modeled to him as a child, so it was probably a learned response. Perhaps no one ever showed him how to enjoy life. But allowing the past to control today is still a choice he makes. Because of that, not only will he never be happy, but neither will those around him. We don’t want to be that kind of person, nor do we want to live with one.”

“An angry, dour, unforgiving, negative person can get that way for various reasons. He stays that way because of a stubborn will that refuses to receive God’s love. The Bible says we have a choice as to what we will allow into our heart (Psalm 101:4), and whether we will harden it to the love of God or not (Proverbs 28:14). We choose our attitude. We choose to receive the love  of the Lord. We permit an attitude of thankfulness to rise in us.”

So what if your husband chooses to have a bad attitude? What if it is affecting your whole family?

“If your husband allows himself to wallow in a consistently bad attitude, it will make a good marriage miserable, and a shakey marriage intolerable. A habit of responding negatively will adversely affect every aspect of his life. Of course you can’t rule over your husband’s will , but you can pray that his will likes up with God’s. Pray that his heart becomes pure, because the Bible promises a person who has a pure heart will see God (Matthew 5:8) and have a cheerful countenance (Proverbs 15:13). Even if there are no major changes immediately, he is certain to be softened by your prayer. And that, at least, can give you a better attitude while you wait for his to improve.”

It’s kind of unbelievable how much attitudes can affect. But it’s true! This week, let’s focus on getting our attitudes to be better, and pray for our husband’s attitudes as well.

Prayer:
“Lord, fill (husband’s name) with your love and peace today. May there be a calmness, serenity, and sense of well-being established in him because his life is God-controlled, rather than flesh-controlled. Enable him to walk in his house with a clean and perfect heart before You (Psalm 101:2). Shine the light of Your Spirit upon him and fill him with Your love.”

“I pray that he will be kind and patient, not selfish or easily provoked. Enable him to bear all things, believe all things,  hope all things, and endure all things (I Corinthians 13:7). Release him from anger, unrest, anxiety, concerns, inner turmoil, strife, and pressure. May he not be broken in spirit because of sorrow (Proverbs 15:13), but enjoy the continual feast of a merry heart (Proverbs 15:15). Give him a spirit of joy and keep him from growing into a grumpy old man. May he be anxious for nothing, but give thanks in all things so he can know the peace that passes all understanding.”

Power Tools:
-Philippians 4:6,7
-Ezekiel 18:31
-Proverbs 25:28
-I Corinthians 13:2
-Psalm 100:4

If you would like to discuss the Bible Study with others, please join the message boards here:

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