by pastor phillips koh. “marriage is made in heaven, but its maintenance begins on this earth.”

By Pastor Phillips Koh

““ Marriage is Marriage is made in made in

heaven, but heaven, but its its

maintenance maintenance begins on this begins on this

earth.”earth.”

How do we build a strong

marriage?

1. AGAPE LOVE

A strong marriage rests on a strong foundation of love

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

What are the other Greek What are the other Greek words for love?words for love?

What are the fundamental What are the fundamental characteristics of Agape characteristics of Agape love? love? (John 13:34-35)(John 13:34-35)

† Unconditional

† Sacrificial

† Unlimited 

Ultimately, agape love has Ultimately, agape love has more to do with our volition more to do with our volition rather than our emotionrather than our emotion

2. BIBLICAL ROLES BASED ON EPHESIANS 5:22-33

2. BIBLICAL ROLES BASED ON EPHESIANS 5:22-33 (cont’d)

A confusion today about A confusion today about male headship and male male headship and male dominancedominance

A stereotyping of gender A stereotyping of gender rolesroles

to cookto cleanto nurture children

to serve husband

Culturally conditioned role of wives

3. UNLIMITED FORGIVENESS

Forgiveness functions as a

spiritual lubricant for smoothing

frictions in relationships

4. GOOD COMMUNICATION

5 Levels of Communication (based on John Powell’s book)

1) Cliché conversation Superficial in nature

2) Reports about others No personal issues

4. GOOD COMMUNICATION (cont’d)

3) Judgment Offering personal opinions

on some issues or people

4) Gut level Sharing of personal feelings

5) Peak Making oneself vulnerable

5. PERSONAL EMPOWERMENT

A commitment to develop your

partner’s spiritual gifts and natural talents

6. EMOTIONAL INTIMACY

3 Different kinds of intimacy:

Physical EmotionalSpiritual

7. DEPENDENCY ON GOD

Only God can give us complete

satisfaction or total fulfillment (John 10:10; John 4:13-

14)