1.      Blessing (means well words) How to be a blessing:

a.    Speak well of him or her and respond with good words. (I Peter 3:9-12)

b.    Doing kind things for your mate no matter what.

c.     Being thankful and appreciative for all things.

d.    Praying for your mate. (Romans 12:14-21)

e.    Do not curse them even when given a hard time.

f.      Be understanding of your partner.

g.    Live in harmony with your mate.

h.    Do not think you are better than your mate.

i.       Do not act proud or conceited.

j.      Do not repay evil for evil. (even in the most petty of details)

k.     Be careful to do what your partner considers to be right.

l.       As far as it depends on you, live at peace in your marriage.

m.  Never take revenge.

n.    Do not be overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

 

2.      Edifying – (building up)

a.    Personal encouragement. (Romans 14:19)

b.    Inner strength. (Romans 15:2)

c.     Establishment of peace and harmony. (I Thess. 5:11)

d.    Example of I Corinthians 8:1

e.    Husbands edify the wife by praising her.

                                                             i.      Edification builds up; never tears down.

                                                          ii.      The best way to compliment is frequently.

                                                        iii.      Relationship die because of what you do not say.

                                                        iv.      Edifying begins in the thought life. (Phil. 4:8)

                                                           v.      What can I say to my partner right now that will build up and encourage them?

f.      Wives edify the husband by giving loving responses to him.

                                                             i.      The Bible tells the wife to respect, admire, be in awe of, adore, esteem, praise and deeply love her husband.

                                                          ii.      God has designed marriage so the husband is dependent on the wife’s appreciation she shows him and the demonstration of respect for his manhood.

                                                        iii.      Men need significance that can only be given by his mate.

 

g.    Ways to edify:

                                                             i.      Make the decision to never be critical of your mate in word, thought or deed.

                                                          ii.      Study your partner. Become sensitive to the areas where your partner feels a lack and think of ways to build up your partner in those particular areas.

                                                        iii.      Think every day of positive qualities and behavior patterns you admire and appreciate about your mate.

                                                        iv.      Consistently verbalize praise and appreciation for your mate.

                                                           v.      Recognize your mates talents, abilities and accomplishments. Communicate your respect.

                                                        vi.      Husbands show your wife publicly and privately how precious she is to you. Do not express admiration for another woman.

                                                      vii.      Wife, show your husband that he is the most important person in your life – always. Seek his opinion and value his judgment.

                                                   viii.      Respond to each other physically and facially. Your mate wants to see you smile, eyes sparkling, etc.

                                                        ix.      Always exhibit the greatest courtesy to each other.

 

3.      Sharing

a.    Sharing demands giving of yourself and listening to your partner.

b.    Act 2 tells us that all the believers were one heart and soul; if this could happen to a group of people oneness between two people is attainable.

c.     Evaluate where you could develop sharing in your own marriage.

d.    Common ground. Think of the things you actually share right now. How can you enjoy it more?

e.    Separate ground. Parts of your life, particularly in the area of work and responsibility, may be separate. How can you bridge these gaps in order to share your separate worlds?

f.      New ground. What interest can you begin to enjoy because your partner enjoys them? If you each develop new enthusiasm to match your partner, life will become more interesting than ever.

g.