A marriage does not drift toward emotional intimacy; it requires work. You must leave certain things according to Scripture and cleave (hold fast) to other things (Gen. 2:24). Without these two commitments, a marriage cannot maintain a connection.
Here are 10 questions for the married or the engaged to consider regarding how to evaluate your marriage’s connection.
- What are the most frequent causes for disrupting marital relationships?
- How would you describe a healthy placement for all other relationships compared to the priority of one’s spouse?
- What characteristics must you beware of in people close to you that might threaten your marital relationship?
- What is something you would want to repeat, and what is something you would want to reject from your parents’ marriage into your own?
- Are you more in danger of reverting to dishonor your parents or refusing to detach from your parents? Why?
- What family relationship from your side will cause the most frustration for your spouse? What will cause it?
- What family relationship from your spouse’s side creates the greatest uneasiness for you regarding your marriage?
- How can you tell when expectations of other people (parents, kids, friends, etc.) are hindering your marriage?
- What are the pros and cons for your marriage of having a deep relationship with a friend or family member?
- What are the key ingredients to maintaining emotional intimacy within a marriage throughout the years?
Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.
