MARRIAGE DEVOTIONAL 1:
BUILDING EMOTIONAL CONNECTIONS
READ: Matthew 22:37-39, Ephesians 5:21-22, 25
“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” (Emphasis added)
“And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord…. For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church…”
THINK:
Welcome to our Marriage Retreat! As you unpacked your luggage and settled into your rooms, there may have been some unintended things that you brought with you. Did you know that the mental baggage we carry around can sometimes keep us from building healthy emotional connections? As we talked about Building Emotional Connections last night, it can be helpful to clear our heads, so that we can focus on our hearts. What are some mental distractions or barriers that may be keeping you from connecting emotionally?
Today’s Scriptures talk about loving God with our whole person (heart, soul, mind) and submitting ourselves to one another. Let’s focus in our hearts for a moment or the emotional aspect of our love for God and for our spouse. What emotions do you feel toward God? What emotions do you feel toward your husband or wife?
Emotions are complicated and can vary from hour-to-hour and day-to-day. However, our hope is that you will try to connect with each other on a heart/emotional level this week and open up more. Take some time to talk about how you feel and ask each other: What kinds of things help you feel emotionally connected as couple?
PRAY:
Lord, we love you with all our hearts. We need your help to love each other well and pray that you would help us connect emotionally, physically, and spiritually this week. Help us submit ourselves to you and to each other in loving and caring ways. Amen.
Thought For the Day
What would it take to push aside the distractions of (ministry, work, home, kids, etc.) so that you can be fully present with your husband/wife during the retreat?
Does your marriage need some refreshment and renewed connection? CHECK OUT our next retreat here.
Author: Larry Ely • Posted: April 2025
Event: LEAD222 Marriage Retreat
