With This Ring: Marriage Through The Eyes of Its Creator

By Dr. Gary Webb

This book is a series of Bible studies for couples, classes, and counselors to help enrich marriage relationships through consideration of God's priorities and principles. It is far from exhaustive, but its short chapters with question and answer format is valuable for personal study, counseling, and classroom discussions.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dr. Gary Webb
• Release date: Feb 24, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386229933

Book preview

Introduction

Using This Book in a Real World

Space has been provided in these pages for you to record your own thoughts and responses.  It may be advisable, however, to also get a small notebook that you can use to make more extensive notes.  In fact, you may want to explore some additional Scriptures to build on the principles we look at together.

This is a Bible study book.  It is urgent that you read each of the recommended passages carefully before answering the questions.  If you are participating in a group study or Sunday School class be alert to insights that others share, but you may have missed, in your own reading.  However, it is important to recognize that the understanding of others is limited even though the Word itself is infallible.  Scripture urges us to be fully persuaded in our own minds because we will give account to God.

If using the book as a study guide with your marriage partner, be especially sensitive to their understanding of the passages.  That way, you grow in your understanding of your spouse as well as learning the Word in a practical way.  Be alert to current situations in your relationship where the principles apply.  Also, be sure that you address issues from your own perspective without accusing or criticizing your partner.  Acknowledge your own shortcomings and seek forgiveness when needed.  In doing this, avoid sharing blame in ways that make your spouse partially responsible for your own failures.  Be careful not to interrupt one another during your discussion.  Don’t start talking until you are sure that they have finished.  Listen carefully - seeking to understand what they said, why they said it, and how they feel about it.  If you are not absolutely sure that you have gotten a clear understanding of what they mean, ask them to explain.

If you are a counselor, these studies may give some tools that you can use within the context of your sessions.  Do not feel obliged to use the entire series. 

––––––––

Chapter one

The Purpose of Marriage

Genesis 1 & 2

In many years of my counseling experience, I’ve talked with many