Preacher: Pastor Joe Ricchuiti | Series: God’s Design for Marriage

1.  Marriage Killer #11: Not recognizing or progressing through the stages of a relationship.

-Stage #1, Infatuation – tendency to see only the good in another person, to hide flaws, to please the other person without thought of return.

-Stage #2, Reality – beginning to see the other person’s faults, personality weaknesses and to let ours be seen.  Should occur during courtship.  Married  couples have an obligation to get through this phase if they have not previously.

-Stage #3, Adjustment – Forgiveness, reconciliation, sacrifice, and conflict resolution are common.

2.  Marriage Killer #12 – Confusion and changes in society regarding marriage and roles of men and women in marriage.  Lack of familial and cultural support for marriage.

3.  Marriage Killer #13 (a catch-all!)  Finances, interfering in-laws, substance abuse, addictive behavior, career success at the expense of the marriage and family.

(Sources for the above:  Roger & Becky Tirabassi, How to Live with Them Since You Can’t Live Without Them; Don Meredith, Becoming One; James Dobson)