Iron Sharpens Iron sample

Rod Cooper is a Professor of Discipleship and Leadership Development at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

Following are some comments he made at a workshop titled ‘How to Help Your Marriage Hold Up and Not Fold Up’ during the Iron Sharpens Iron Men’s Seminar held in Hershey, PA, on Saturday, March 5, 2011.

oOne thing that couples don’t count on when they get married is change. It you aren’t prepared for it you’ll want to go back to the good old days.

oMarriages go through stages or seasons - each depends on the other. How you prepare so it is a transition and not a crisis? Recognize the signs. Have a strategy. If you are serious (about your marriage) you will make the changes.

oMarriage is your last best chance to grow up!

oIf you want your wife to respect you, you have to put some deposits in the emotional bank account.

oTo be the leader of your family don’t run from conflict. Don’t treat your wife like a child. Don’t resort to childish behavior yourself.

oHow you fight is one of the most telling ways to diagnose the condition of your marriage.

oRuth Graham, the wife of well-known Evangelist Billy Graham, was once asked what would you change about Billy if you could? Ruth’s response was eye-opening. My job is to love Billy. It’s God’s job to change Billy.

oAn explanation of the word love in the Bible scripture calling husbands to love their wives means to look out for your wife’s interests before you look out for your own.

oCommitment to improve your marriage is more than about you. It’s about enhancing your relationship.

oBest question to ask if you want a better marriage is ‘God what do you want me to learn?’

Next Iron Sharpens Iron Men's Seminar is in the Philadelphia area (King of Prussia, PA) on Saturday, April 9, 2011. See umof.org for more details.