With so many young adults in Austin (and part of Gateway Church), I have the opportunity to connect with lots of great couples in varying stages of relationship. My goal is to help each individually grow to become the best version of themselves. I recommend each do some work on their own individually, and I recommend some options for the two as a couple.
(These are also helpful resources for couples in crisis or couples needing a fresh start).
To those who are seriously dating or engaged, I often send some of the following resources:
PERSONAL OPTIONS FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH
1. Pray daily.
For those considering a relationship with Jesus: “God show me if you are real. God help me to become who you created me to be.”
For those who follow Jesus: “Show me your ways, and help me trust you as I obey your leading.”
2. Read the Scriptures.
For those considering a relationship with Jesus:
Read through the Gospel of John and ask God to show you who Jesus really is. Go beyond what you’ve assumed was imposed on you. Who is He really? Pray before reading: God reveal yourself to me.
- The Three Day Plunge – Read 7 chapters a day for 3 days in a row.
- The Seven Day Challenge – Read 3 chapters a day for 7 days.
- The Twenty-one Day Experiment – Read 1 chapter a day for 21 days.
For those who follow Jesus:
Read the Letters of Paul and ask God to guide you through each day to love Him and love others.
3. Process for Creating a Better Future – on your own answer the key questions based on what a healthy marriage could look like.
4. Baptism – Fully surrendering all of your life including your future marriage is critical! Ask God if baptism is the symbolic next step for you in your walk with Him. Check out http://www.gatewaychurch.
TAKE THE FOLLOWING ASSESSMENTS
1. **Gateway’s pre-marital form. Each of you take this assessment on your own.
2. Prepare and Enrich
[To take this assessment for $35, contact me at eric@ericbryant.org].
3. MBTI – personality (free version or ask me for the $29).
GROWING AS A COUPLE
1. Find community! Find a recovery group, a men’s group, a women’s group, or a couples group.
2. If engaged or dating, when it comes to intimacy, consider a fast until the wedding day. Take a look at 1 Corinthians 7 and Hebrews 13.
Read Should We Live Together? by the National Marriage Project
Listen to the “Lust and Love” (10/8/12) and “A Covenant Relationship” (10/9/13) messages by Tim Keller.
3. Listen or watch the message series together called Relational Rollercoaster. Also, check out the following:
- Love Is Sexy
- Love Is Exhausting
- Love Is Enduring
- If I Only Knew Then… Dating
- If I Only Knew Then… Marriage
- The Secret Sauce for Marriage (couples that do this one thing together divorce only 1 out of 10,000 times)
4. Invest in your spiritual growth together as a couple. Together, read the Scriptures, pray, connect with a local church, listen to messages, talk through your passions and uniqueness, go through pre-marital counseling, and serve others.
