23 Marriage Devotional: The Power of Unity in Marriage and the Body of Christ

Show notes

About This Episode Week 23 of the Marriage After God devotional series is about unity, both in your marriage and in the body of Christ. Aaron and Jennifer start with the flip side: isolation. Proverbs 18:1 and 1 Peter 5:8 show that the person who pulls away from the herd is the one the enemy stalks, and they share honestly how shame and embarrassment drove them into hiding during the hardest years of their marriage until a church marriage group brought them back into connection. They walk through the common reasons couples isolate, why your spouse should be the first to notice when you're distant, and how marriage is a small picture of Christ and His church. From John 17, Ephesians 2, Romans 12, and Acts 2, they show that Jesus prayed for our oneness, died for it, and sent the Holy Spirit with gifts meant to build up the whole body. The episode ends with practical steps and a challenge to pursue other believers together this week.

About Aaron & Jennifer Smith Aaron and Jennifer Smith are the founders of Marriage After God and authors of Husband After God, Wife After God, and Marriage After God. Married since 2007 and raising six children in Bend, Oregon, they started Husband Revolution and Unveiled Wife to share what God was teaching them, not from a place of having it figured out, but as fellow travelers pointing couples back to Jesus.

In This Episode 00:00 — Intro — Opening card. 00:27 — Welcome to Week 23 — Aaron and Jennifer introduce unity in marriage and in the body of Christ, and how it fuels the gifts of the Spirit. 02:17 — The danger of isolation — Why isolation is the default for many couples and why it is not how God designed us. 03:15 — A lion stalking the gazelle — A Husband After God quote and Proverbs 18:1 on how isolation breeds sin and death. 04:41 — 1 Peter 5:8 and our story — The devil prowls like a lion; how shame pulled Aaron into isolation early in marriage. 07:31 — The marriage group that changed things — Plugging into a church group started the process of reconnecting with each other and the body. 08:54 — Why people isolate — Sin and shame, overwhelm, no motivation, fear, past hurts, and spiritual dryness. 12:12 — Your spouse should notice first — Accountability in marriage and how spouses help each other re-engage. 13:08 — Marriage as a microcosm of the church — Unity in marriage flows into unity in the body of Christ. 14:03 — Fellowship goes both ways — Giving and receiving in the body; 1 Corinthians 12:26 and Hebrews 10:24-25. 17:55 — Jesus prays for our unity — John 17:23 and why oneness is our witness to the world. 20:46 — He died for our unity — Ephesians 2:14-16 and the gift of reconciliation. 22:12 — How unity benefits your marriage — Not being alone, support in hard times, belonging, and iron sharpening iron. 24:05 — Secret and private lives — The most connected generation is also the most isolated; hidden sin behind the facade. 26:04 — Lies that keep us hiding — "No one will understand" and the fear of being judged. 27:58 — Pursue fellowship and be known — A light under a basket; Romans 15:1-7 on bearing with the weak. 31:20 — Devoted to fellowship — Acts 2:42-47 and doing life together, not just showing up. 32:18 — Not by your own strength — The Holy Spirit empowers unity and comes bearing gifts; John 14:25-27. 35:07 — Gifts are for the body — Good fruit benefits others; marriage as a tool for God's work. 37:26 — Romans 12:3-13 — The gifts, how to use them, and practicing them first in marriage. 40:45 — Love is the greatest gift — 1 Corinthians 13 and why love must be the motivation behind every gift. 42:07 — Practical next steps — Stop avoiding and start inviting; pray for God-fearing couples; maybe you are the initiator. 45:04 — Standing side by side — Philippians 1:27 and remembering eternity with the whole body of Christ. 46:26 — Closing quote and discussion questions — Marriage After God on unity's greater purpose; fears and benefits of community. 48:25 — Call to action and prayer — Pursue other believers together this week; Aaron prays for those who are hiding. 50:50 — Wrap-up — Thanks for joining week 23; get Husband After God and Wife After God.

Scripture Referenced Genesis 2:18, Proverbs 18:1, 1 Peter 5:8, 1 Corinthians 12:26, Hebrews 10:24-25, John 17:23, Ephesians 2:14-16, Ecclesiastes 4:12, Proverbs 27:17, Matthew 5:15, Romans 15:1-7, Acts 2:42-47, John 14:25-27, 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12:3-13, 1 Corinthians 13, Philippians 1:27

Resources from This Episode Husband After God by Aaron Smith Wife After God by Jennifer Smith Marriage After God by Aaron & Jennifer Smith Shop Marriage After God Full show notes and blog post

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