You've GotTo Work
Day 1: God First, Spouse Second
Reading: Matthew 22:34-40; Genesis 2:18-25
Devotional: Before God created woman, He established the greatest commandment: love God with all your heart, soul, and mind. This priority doesn't diminish marriage—it strengthens it. When God is truly first in your life, you become the spouse He designed you to be. Like Adam recognizing Eve as "bone of my bones," we see our spouse clearly only when we see God first. Today, examine your priorities honestly. Is God genuinely first, or have other good things—even your marriage—taken His place? An epic marriage flows from two people who are individually pursuing God with everything they have. When you get this order right, everything else falls into place. Your spouse deserves the best version of you, and that only comes from walking closely with Christ.
Day 2: The Pursuit Never Ends
Reading: Genesis 2:24; Song of Solomon 2:8-14
Devotional: The Hebrew word "davach" means to pursue with affection and devotion—to cling, to catch in pursuit. God didn't design marriage as a finish line but as a lifelong pursuit. Remember when you first fell in love? The phone calls, the sacrifices, the attention to detail? That pursuit shouldn't end at the altar. The grass isn't greener on the other side; it's greener where you water it. Today, ask yourself: Am I still pursuing my spouse, or have I become comfortable and complacent? Your marriage is worth the investment. Close the gap between good intentions and actual action. Write a note, plan a date, turn off the television and truly listen. Pursue God daily, and pursue your spouse with the same intentionality. They are worth it—not because they're perfect, but because they're valuable to God and to you.
Day 3: Becoming One Flesh
Reading: Ephesians 5:21-33; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27
Devotional: "They are no longer two, but one." Marriage is a covenant, not a contract. Contracts protect against distrust; covenants celebrate commitment. When God brings two different people together—with different backgrounds, personalities, and perspectives—He's creating something stronger than either person alone. Like a sports team where each position matters, your differences aren't meant to divide but to strengthen. The key is mutual submission, working together toward a united vision. Today, reflect on how you view your spouse's differences. Are they sources of frustration or opportunities for growth? Marriage isn't 50-50; it's 100-100. Both partners giving everything, serving the same Master, pulling in the same direction. When you embrace your role as a team, when you celebrate rather than criticize differences, you discover the power of true partnership. Your marriage becomes a beautiful picture of Christ and the church.
Day 4: Walking in the Light
Reading: 1 John 1:5-10; James 5:16
Devotional: Adam and Eve felt no shame until they hid. Secrecy is the enemy of intimacy. When we live in darkness—hiding our struggles, our sins, our fears—confusion and embarrassment follow. But God offers a better way: confession, vulnerability, and walking in the light. This doesn't mean perfection; it means honesty. Every marriage brings together two imperfect people with different struggles. The question isn't whether you'll face challenges, but whether you'll face them together. Today, consider what you might be hiding. Is there unforgiveness you're harboring? A struggle you haven't shared? A hurt you've buried? God already knows, and healing begins when we stop hiding. Confess to God, then confide in your spouse. Create a safe space where both of you can be real, vulnerable, and honest. When you walk in the light together, intimacy deepens, trust strengthens, and God's purifying work transforms you both.
Day 5: Staying Pure in Heart and Home
Reading: Psalm 119:9-16; Proverbs 4:23-27
Devotional: "How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word." An epic marriage requires a pure heart—not perfection, but a commitment to God's way over the world's way. When you hide God's word in your heart, it guards you against sin that would destroy what God has built. This isn't about legalism; it's about protection. Your marriage is under attack. The enemy wants to divide, distract, and destroy. But when both partners are seeking God daily, when His word guides your decisions and His Spirit leads your steps, you build something unshakeable. Today, commit to seeking God first. Read His word. Pray together. Make your relationship with God the foundation of your marriage. When trials come—and they will—you'll have the strength to face them together. An epic marriage isn't one without problems; it's one where two people refuse to quit, refuse to hide, and refuse to stop pursuing God and each other. Choose that marriage today.
Reading: Matthew 22:34-40; Genesis 2:18-25
Devotional: Before God created woman, He established the greatest commandment: love God with all your heart, soul, and mind. This priority doesn't diminish marriage—it strengthens it. When God is truly first in your life, you become the spouse He designed you to be. Like Adam recognizing Eve as "bone of my bones," we see our spouse clearly only when we see God first. Today, examine your priorities honestly. Is God genuinely first, or have other good things—even your marriage—taken His place? An epic marriage flows from two people who are individually pursuing God with everything they have. When you get this order right, everything else falls into place. Your spouse deserves the best version of you, and that only comes from walking closely with Christ.
Day 2: The Pursuit Never Ends
Reading: Genesis 2:24; Song of Solomon 2:8-14
Devotional: The Hebrew word "davach" means to pursue with affection and devotion—to cling, to catch in pursuit. God didn't design marriage as a finish line but as a lifelong pursuit. Remember when you first fell in love? The phone calls, the sacrifices, the attention to detail? That pursuit shouldn't end at the altar. The grass isn't greener on the other side; it's greener where you water it. Today, ask yourself: Am I still pursuing my spouse, or have I become comfortable and complacent? Your marriage is worth the investment. Close the gap between good intentions and actual action. Write a note, plan a date, turn off the television and truly listen. Pursue God daily, and pursue your spouse with the same intentionality. They are worth it—not because they're perfect, but because they're valuable to God and to you.
Day 3: Becoming One Flesh
Reading: Ephesians 5:21-33; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27
Devotional: "They are no longer two, but one." Marriage is a covenant, not a contract. Contracts protect against distrust; covenants celebrate commitment. When God brings two different people together—with different backgrounds, personalities, and perspectives—He's creating something stronger than either person alone. Like a sports team where each position matters, your differences aren't meant to divide but to strengthen. The key is mutual submission, working together toward a united vision. Today, reflect on how you view your spouse's differences. Are they sources of frustration or opportunities for growth? Marriage isn't 50-50; it's 100-100. Both partners giving everything, serving the same Master, pulling in the same direction. When you embrace your role as a team, when you celebrate rather than criticize differences, you discover the power of true partnership. Your marriage becomes a beautiful picture of Christ and the church.
Day 4: Walking in the Light
Reading: 1 John 1:5-10; James 5:16
Devotional: Adam and Eve felt no shame until they hid. Secrecy is the enemy of intimacy. When we live in darkness—hiding our struggles, our sins, our fears—confusion and embarrassment follow. But God offers a better way: confession, vulnerability, and walking in the light. This doesn't mean perfection; it means honesty. Every marriage brings together two imperfect people with different struggles. The question isn't whether you'll face challenges, but whether you'll face them together. Today, consider what you might be hiding. Is there unforgiveness you're harboring? A struggle you haven't shared? A hurt you've buried? God already knows, and healing begins when we stop hiding. Confess to God, then confide in your spouse. Create a safe space where both of you can be real, vulnerable, and honest. When you walk in the light together, intimacy deepens, trust strengthens, and God's purifying work transforms you both.
Day 5: Staying Pure in Heart and Home
Reading: Psalm 119:9-16; Proverbs 4:23-27
Devotional: "How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word." An epic marriage requires a pure heart—not perfection, but a commitment to God's way over the world's way. When you hide God's word in your heart, it guards you against sin that would destroy what God has built. This isn't about legalism; it's about protection. Your marriage is under attack. The enemy wants to divide, distract, and destroy. But when both partners are seeking God daily, when His word guides your decisions and His Spirit leads your steps, you build something unshakeable. Today, commit to seeking God first. Read His word. Pray together. Make your relationship with God the foundation of your marriage. When trials come—and they will—you'll have the strength to face them together. An epic marriage isn't one without problems; it's one where two people refuse to quit, refuse to hide, and refuse to stop pursuing God and each other. Choose that marriage today.
Extra questions to think about...
How does Lee Strobel's journey from atheism to faith challenge or encourage your own approach to investigating the claims of Christianity?
In what practical ways can you ensure that God remains your number one priority while also honoring your spouse as your number two?
What does it mean to 'leave and cleave' in Genesis 2:24, and how might unresolved family loyalties be affecting your marriage today?
How can embracing your spouse's differences rather than trying to change them strengthen your partnership and reflect God's design for unity?
What specific action can you take this week to pursue your spouse with the same intentionality you showed when you were dating?
How does the concept of marriage as a covenant rather than a contract change the way you approach commitment and conflict resolution?
In what areas of your life or marriage are you hiding in the darkness instead of walking in the light, and what would confession and transparency look like?
How does understanding that your spouse belongs to God first, not to you, change the way you treat and value them?
What does it mean to be 'equally yoked' in marriage, and how can couples with different faith backgrounds work toward a united vision?
If you want an epic marriage, are you willing to be the one who changes first rather than waiting for your spouse to improve?
In what practical ways can you ensure that God remains your number one priority while also honoring your spouse as your number two?
What does it mean to 'leave and cleave' in Genesis 2:24, and how might unresolved family loyalties be affecting your marriage today?
How can embracing your spouse's differences rather than trying to change them strengthen your partnership and reflect God's design for unity?
What specific action can you take this week to pursue your spouse with the same intentionality you showed when you were dating?
How does the concept of marriage as a covenant rather than a contract change the way you approach commitment and conflict resolution?
In what areas of your life or marriage are you hiding in the darkness instead of walking in the light, and what would confession and transparency look like?
How does understanding that your spouse belongs to God first, not to you, change the way you treat and value them?
What does it mean to be 'equally yoked' in marriage, and how can couples with different faith backgrounds work toward a united vision?
If you want an epic marriage, are you willing to be the one who changes first rather than waiting for your spouse to improve?
Digging In Deeper
Scripture References from the Sermon
Directly Cited or Referenced:
1. **Genesis 2:18-25** - Creation of woman, marriage institution, man leaving father and mother
2. **Genesis 2:24** - Man leaves father and mother, united to wife, become one flesh (cited multiple times)
3. **Genesis 3:7-10** - Adam and Eve realizing they were naked and hiding from God
4. **Matthew 22** - Greatest commandment (love God first, then neighbor)
5. **Matthew 19:4-6** - Jesus quoting Genesis about marriage, "no longer two but one"
6. **1 Timothy 5:8** - Caring for family, worse than an unbeliever if you don't
7. **Psalm 24:1** - Everything belongs to God
8. **Ephesians 5:21-33** - Mutual submission, husbands love wives as Christ loved the church
9. **Ephesians 5:25** - Husbands love your wives as Christ loved the church
10. **1 John 1:5-10** - Walking in the light vs. darkness, confession of sin
11. **James 5:16** - Confess to one another (alluded to)
12. **Psalm 119:9-12** - How can a young person stay pure? By living according to God's word
## Biblical Themes Without Specific Citation:
The sermon discusses these themes that connect to additional relevant scriptures:
- **Priority of God in life** - Deuteronomy 6:5, Matthew 6:33
- **Marriage covenant** - Malachi 2:14-16
- **Forgiveness in marriage** - Colossians 3:13, Ephesians 4:32
- **Unity in marriage** - Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
- **Avoiding temptation** - 1 Corinthians 10:13, James 1:14-15
- **God's design for marriage being good** - Genesis 1:31
- **Satan as deceiver** - John 8:44, 1 Peter 5:8
- **Repentance** - Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9
Directly Cited or Referenced:
1. **Genesis 2:18-25** - Creation of woman, marriage institution, man leaving father and mother
2. **Genesis 2:24** - Man leaves father and mother, united to wife, become one flesh (cited multiple times)
3. **Genesis 3:7-10** - Adam and Eve realizing they were naked and hiding from God
4. **Matthew 22** - Greatest commandment (love God first, then neighbor)
5. **Matthew 19:4-6** - Jesus quoting Genesis about marriage, "no longer two but one"
6. **1 Timothy 5:8** - Caring for family, worse than an unbeliever if you don't
7. **Psalm 24:1** - Everything belongs to God
8. **Ephesians 5:21-33** - Mutual submission, husbands love wives as Christ loved the church
9. **Ephesians 5:25** - Husbands love your wives as Christ loved the church
10. **1 John 1:5-10** - Walking in the light vs. darkness, confession of sin
11. **James 5:16** - Confess to one another (alluded to)
12. **Psalm 119:9-12** - How can a young person stay pure? By living according to God's word
## Biblical Themes Without Specific Citation:
The sermon discusses these themes that connect to additional relevant scriptures:
- **Priority of God in life** - Deuteronomy 6:5, Matthew 6:33
- **Marriage covenant** - Malachi 2:14-16
- **Forgiveness in marriage** - Colossians 3:13, Ephesians 4:32
- **Unity in marriage** - Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
- **Avoiding temptation** - 1 Corinthians 10:13, James 1:14-15
- **God's design for marriage being good** - Genesis 1:31
- **Satan as deceiver** - John 8:44, 1 Peter 5:8
- **Repentance** - Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9