Two Equals One Workbook: A Marriage Equation for Love, Laughter, and Longevity

By Jimmy Rollins and Irene Rollins

This accompanying workbook to Two Equals One takes couples further along their journey toward a healthier, more vibrant union as they face the challenges in their relationship while celebrating and building on their successes.

It’s no secret that marriage is in trouble. From the carnage of bitter divorces littering the landscape to the cauldron of conflict boiling just under the surface of the barely married, far too many couples are enduring more heartache than hope.

Jimmy and Irene Rollins can relate. While they smiled publicly for years (and even led marriage-enrichment events), their own relationship was dying. The miraculous transformation they experienced has inspired them to create this timely, relatable guide designed to help even the most damaged marriages to become restored and rejuvenated.

The authors tackle a range of tough topics with gut-level transparency, and through this workbook, readers will discover

• key differences between codependency and a healthy two-equals-one union;
• insights to overcome past and present traumas and triggers that threaten to derail their marriage;
• strategies to replace silent resentment and bitterness with joyous laughter in their relationship; and
• practical tools and conversation starters to build and maintain a lasting legacy.

 

Through their Two Equals One marriage and coaching ministry as well as the book Two Equals One and this accompanying workbook, Jimmy and Irene are thrilled to offer a path to healing and wholeness and greater intimacy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson
• Release date: Oct 29, 2024
• ISBN: 9781400347568

Jimmy Rollins

Jimmy Rollins is the former lead pastor of i5 City Church just outside of Baltimore, Maryland. A revelatory preacher, visionary leader, and generous pastor, Jimmy’s entire ministry is fueled by Jesus’ command to serve the least of these. He and his wife, Irene, founded i5 City Church on that premise and mission, and together they have built an influential church known for local outreach and global impact. Jimmy also serves as an overseer for a variety of churches throughout the country, and in his position as a strategic partner of the Association of Related Churches (ARC), he has had many opportunities to teach countless churches and church leadership teams all over the world. Jimmy is also a champion for the marginalized in society, and through his work in the area of racial reconciliation, Jimmy has mediated many conversations promoting awareness, healing, and unity. On June 7, 2020, Pastor Jimmy led over 2,000 community members in a Walk for Justice, a peaceful demonstration promoting justice and racial equality. This event at the City Dock of Annapolis brought together people of all colors and faiths, as well as police officers and government officials, in an effort to speak out against racism in America. Jimmy and Irene have been married for more than twenty years, and, although they have walked through extremely difficult seasons, they can testify to God’s transformative healing power in bringing them to a place of mutual health and joy. Together they lead a vibrant church and parent their three wonderful “almost-grown” children, Kayla, Jaden, and Maya.

Book preview

INTRODUCTION

GET READY

Are you ready to get healthy in your marriage? Are you tired of arguing more than agreeing—of feeling more tension than chemistry in your marriage? Tired of having more stress than sex? Are you ready to find solutions to the struggles?

It’s time to step into a new season of love, laughter, and longevity!

We didn’t write this book to just help people survive in marriage—we wrote it to show others how to thrive! You don’t have to be miserable in marriage, and the goal isn’t just to make it the longest. The goal is to discover your united identity—the power of two equals one.

Through our own personal stories, as well as accounts of couples we’ve coached, we want to walk you through what it means to do the work of marriage. We want to provide you with the tools that have helped so many reach their thriving potential in marriage—including us! Each challenge is designed to be a resource—something that you can actually use long after you’re done with this workbook. We use each one of these exercises to this day—many of them we’ve modified or personalized to suit our needs, which is something we recommend each of you do as well!

As you go through the exercises, the goal isn’t ever to get the right answer, but rather to learn more about your spouse and yourself so that you’re better able to understand each other’s needs. Each exercise corresponds to the chapter in the book Two Equals One with the same number.

We want to challenge you as we walk through these next eighteen exercises to do like the psalmist encourages—to be slow to get angry (Psalm 145:8 NLT).

Easier said than done, right? We get that. But the reason we are so adamant about this is because we’ve experienced the damage of words flung in anger.

Sometimes it’s important to take a breath.

Pause, and revisit the subject when you’re in a better headspace.

We’re so proud of you for doing the work of marriage, and we understand the urgency you may be feeling, but it’s important that you do not rush through these challenges. Sometimes it’s tough to be present when you’re feeling a certain way toward your spouse. Maybe there’s built-up resentment or frustration, unforgiveness or secrets between you. Whatever you’re feeling, don’t ignore it. Don’t rush past it. Let this workbook be like your personal trainer.

In order to turn your struggle into strength, you have to lean in. If you’ve ever spent much time in the gym, you’ve undoubtedly heard the expression a good burn. What they’re saying is that they can feel the muscles burning, which means that the exercise is making them stronger. Our instinct is to avoid the burn—really any kind of discomfort. But just like at the gym, in marriage if you want to see results, if you want health and longevity, you have to lean into the burn. You have to acknowledge the discomfort, the emotions, and the tension.

The good news? It makes you stronger! This practice will lead to health, and you will begin to see growth in your ability to communicate and meet each other’s needs. We truly believe that as you apply these biblical principles to your marriage, you will see the same transformative power we experienced in our marriage!

CHALLENGE ONE

PICTURE THIS

Review: Chapter 1 of Two Equals One (pages 3–11)

Have you ever heard the phrase picture this? It can get watered down to the point of sounding gimmicky, but there is a powerful scripture we often refer to when we’re in a season where we feel like we can’t find our way:

Where there is no vision, the people perish . . .

PROVERBS 29:18

KJV

In order for us to grow together, we need to share a vision. Now, we’ve heard this verse used to suggest