39: Spiritual Growth as a Married Couple

Brian and Heather Mayer discuss the importance of spiritual growth in marriage, emphasizing the need for continuous development in their faith and the positive impact it can have on their relationship. They offer practical advice and insights, including prioritizing God, integrating Bible study, practicing self-control, and treating each other with mutual affection and friendliness. Later, they discuss the importance of goodness, knowledge, and love in building strong relationships, highlighting the need to be the same person both behind closed doors and in public, and prioritizing unconditional love, perseverance, and self-control. Transcript https://otter.ai/u/jXVG5bdnb0nKLFqn4osmZJZUZEk?view=transcript Action Items [ ] Look up the Bible verse discussed and journal on areas of spiritual growth. [ ] Sign up for the Love How Deep Newsletter. [ ] Continue growing individually in the qualities discussed and allowing that growth to strengthen the marriage.  Outline Spiritual growth for married couples using 2 Peter 1:5-9. Heather and Brian discuss spiritual growth as a married couple, acknowledging their own struggles and the importance of staying connected to God. They emphasize the need to continuously fill their spiritual tanks and prioritize God's Word in their relationship. Spiritual growth in marriage emphasized through biblical qualities like faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, and mutual affection. Goodness, knowledge, and their interconnectedness in marriage. Brian Mayer: goodness means being same behind closed doors as out in the world. Heather Mayer: good character means treating spouse with same love and respect as others. Heather Mayer emphasizes the importance of caring and knowledge in a marriage, with caring being a vital aspect of their relationship. Knowledge is built upon goodness and caring, with a spiritual understanding of God being crucial for living out one's faith. Marriage, self-control, perseverance, and godliness. Brian Mayer encourages listeners to look for Jesus in everything they read and to share spiritual insights with their spouse. Heather Mayer suggests practicing self-control by being purposeful and active in avoiding negative influences. Heather Mayer: Self-control and perseverance are key to a healthy marriage. Brian Mayer: Perseverance is continued effort despite difficulties, opposition, or failure. Brian Mayer discusses perseverance and passionate patience in his relationship with God and his spouse. He finds reverent wonder to be a better term than godliness, emphasizing humility in marriage. Building spiritual maturity and marital affection. Heather Mayer shares her insights on developing a heart of God, which changes the way she sees her spouse and interacts with them. Brian Mayer agrees and adds that treating one's spouse with mutual affection and warmth is important, as seen in the NIV and The Message translations. Heather Mayer and Brian Mayer enjoy running errands together, sparking conversations, and sharing laughter. As they grow spiritually, they are more inclined to be friendly and loving towards each other. Love, marriage, and the importance of generous love. Heather and Brian discuss the importance of love in their marriage, with a focus on unconditional agape love. They share insights on how to practice generous love, including lavishing love on each other without expectation of reciprocity. Heather Mayer encourages listeners to reflect on scripture and apply it to their lives.