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Dear Saddleback Family,

In last weekend's message, "Fighting for an Awesome Marriage," Pastor Rick looked at the six reasons God created marriage, and how to fight for your marriage in the four seasons of life. As you go through your week, use the Message Action Plan below to help put the things you've learned into practice.

If you missed last weekend's message, click here to watch it online.

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FIGHTING FOR AN AWESOME MARRIAGE
Awesome! Winning At Relationships – Part 1

1. How did these six truths about why marriage matters change or strengthen the way that you think about marriage?

2. Why Marriage Matters: God Created it . . .

   • For the Connection of Men and Women

   • Jesus said, "God made them male and female from the beginning of creation. This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one. Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together."
     Mark 10:6-9 (NLT)

   • For the Multiplication of the Human Race

   • So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Then God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and multiply! Fill the earth!"          
     Genesis 1:27-28a (NLT)

   • For the Protection of Children

   • Those who obey and respect the Lord have a secure fortress; their children have a place of refuge and security.
     Proverbs 14:26

   • For the Perfection of Our Character

   • It's selfish and stupid to think only of yourself . . .  
     Proverbs 18:1 (CEV)
            

   • For the Construction of Society

   • Righteousness lifts up a nation, but sin is a disgrace in any society.
     Proverbs 14:34 (GW)

   • For the Reflection of Our Union with Christ

   • Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her . . . He died so that he could give the church to himself as a Bride in all her beauty . . . In the same way, husbands should love their wives as they love their own bodies . . . No one ever hates his own body, but feeds and takes care of it. And that is what Christ does for his church, his body. The Scripture says, "a man is united with his wife, and the two become one body." This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church! So each husband must love his wife as he loves himself, and each wife must respect her husband.
     Ephesians 5:25-33
          

3. Decide on one action you will take this week to fight for your marriage in the seasons of life. For singles, pray for the health of the marriages of people you know.   
           
   
4. • Springtime: When Life is Busy
     
     Homework: Do something fun!
   • Summer: When Life is Easy
     
     Homework: Do a marriage tune-up. Attend a marriage seminar or read a marriage book.                
     
     
   • Winter: When Life Falls Apart
     
     Homework: Offer and accept comfort from one another this week.