Principle 1: Look To The Bible As Your Guidebook And To Christ As Your Living Example.

UNCOMMON WISDOM

Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.

—Psalm 1:1-3

UNCOMMON PRACTICE

Take a few moments to select one of this week’s practices to explore further. The related Adventure Application appears just below each practice. If you’d prefer to come up with a different way of living out that practice this week, feel free to discuss what that might look like.

Wait on God’s timing; don’t try to make things happen yourself.

What are you and your spouse waiting for—a new job, a baby, a home, the return of a wayward teen? In what ways are you trusting God while you wait? How might you encourage your spouse to hang in there when God doesn’t seem to be moving?

Find your identity in Christ, not in the world.

If you polled your neighbors, friends, and coworkers, what do you think they’d say you’re known for—your immaculate yard, your sports-crazy kids, your jobs, or your roles at church? How likely is it that they would ID you as a Christ follower?

Look to God as the source for all the stamina and patience you need.

Where do you need to redirect your focus from your own efforts, abilities, and shortcomings to God and His strength and power? How can you encourage your spouse to look to the Lord for his or her needs too?

Cling to each other and to God’s promises that He is always with you when you face hard times.

Psalm 37:3-6 is worth committing to memory—or at least marking in your Bible so you can read it aloud when you’re particularly discouraged. Take a few moments, too, to discuss what this Scripture means for you as a couple today.

Prepare your mind and heart so you are ready for the opportunities God brings to you.

Instead of focusing on something you want God to do for you, open your mind wide to all the possibilities that God may have planned for you this very day. Is there a door of opportunity you have closed that God’s been looking to reopen? Pray for such an opening—and for an open heart to walk through it in faith.

Run to God rather than from Him when troubles come.

In what area of your life have you been running away from God, not allowing Him to help you? Turn it over to Him, trusting Him today to begin to assist you with whatever it is. He will.

UNCOMMON PRAYER

Take a few minutes to discuss any praises and needs you’d like to bring to God as a couple. Then, in addition to praying about those things together, use one or more of the following prayer prompts to ask God to help you rely on Scripture and on Christ to build a stronger marriage.

Praise God that His wisdom is absolute, His timing is perfect, His promises are trustworthy, and His grace is boundless.

As you look ahead to your plans and commitments for the coming week, ask the Holy Spirit to give you the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, or self-control you will need.^a

Ask the Lord to give you His perspective on the people and opportunities you encounter this week.