by David E. Pratte - Bible Study Lessons

1 Growing a Godly Marriage and Raising Godly Children by David E. Pratte Available in print at Growing a Godly Marriage Page #2 Growing a Godly Marriage and Raising Godly Children Copyright David E. Pratte , 1999, 2008, 2010, 2013 All rights reserved ISBN-13: 978-1492359425 ISBN-10: 1492359424 Note carefully: No teaching in any of our materials is intended or should ever be construed to justify or to in any way incite or encourage personal vengeance or physical violence against any person. He who glories, let him glory in the Lord 1 Corinthians 1:31 Cover photo: Jason Hutchens licensed under Creative Commons Generic License Other Acknowledgements Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are generally from the New King James Version (NKJV), copyright 1982, 1988 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

2 Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (NASB) are from Holy Bible , New American Standard La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995. Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from The Holy Bible , English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (MLV) are from Modern Literal Version of The New Testament, Copyright 1999 by G. Allen Walker. Scripture quotations marked (RSV) are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible , copyright 1952 by the Division of Christian Education, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.

3 Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are from the New International Version of the Holy Bible , copyright 1978 by Zondervan Bible publishers, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Page #3 Growing a Godly Marriage Other Books by the Author Topical Bible Studies Growing a Godly Marriage & Raising Godly Children Why Believe in God, Jesus, and the Bible ? (evidences) The God of the Bible ( Study of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) Grace, Faith, and Obedience: The Gospel or Calvinism? Kingdom of Christ: Future Millennium or Present Spiritual Reign?

4 Do Not Sin Against the Child: Abortion, Unborn Life, & the Bible True Words of God: Bible Inspiration and Preservation Commentaries on Bible Books Genesis Joshua and Ruth Judges 1 Samuel Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther Job Proverbs Gospel of Mark Gospel of John Acts Romans Ephesians Philippians and Colossians Hebrews 1 & 2 Peter Bible Question Class Books Genesis Joshua and Ruth Judges 1 Samuel Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther Job Proverbs Ecclesiastes Isaiah Gospel of Matthew Gospel of Mark Gospel of Luke Gospel of John Acts Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians and Galatians Ephesians and Philippians Colossians.

5 1&2 Thessalonians 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon Hebrews General Epistles (James Jude) Revelation Workbooks with Study Notes Jesus Is Lord: Workbook on the Fundamentals of the Gospel of Christ Following Jesus: Workbook on Discipleship God s Eternal Purpose in Christ: Workbook on the Theme of the Bible Visit our website at to see a current list of books in print. Growing a Godly Marriage Page #4 Other Resources from the Author Printed books, booklets, and tracts available at Free Bible Study articles online at Free Bible courses online at Free class books at Free commentaries on Bible books at Contact the author at Page #5 Growing a Godly Marriage Table of Contents Marriage Preparation and Improvement.

6 7 The Role of Religion .. 9 The Purpose of Marriage .. 17 The Permanence of Marriage .. 19 Maturity and Knowing One Another .. 21 Loving One Another .. 27 Responsibility, Honesty, and Self-Control .. 36 Friends and In-Laws .. 42 Roles of Husband and 45 Sexual Purity .. 50 Solving Marriage Conflict .. 57 Trust in God .. 58 Respect God s Pattern for Marriage.. 61 Express Appreciation and Praise for What Is Good.. 63 Act in Love.. 65 Discuss the Problem .. 69 Be Reconciled .. 74 Seven Keys to Raising Godly Children .. 81 Key #1: Purpose.

7 84 Key #2: Planning .. 90 Key #3: Love .. 101 Key #4: Instruction .. 111 Key #5: Authority (Control) .. 121 Key #6: Motivation: Punishments and Rewards .. 134 Key #7: Consistency .. 151 (Due to printer reformatting, the above numbers may be off a page or two.) Growing a Godly Marriage Page #6 Notes to the Reader Unless otherwise indicated, Bible quotations are from the New King James Version. Often - especially when I do not use quotations marks I am not quoting any translation but simply paraphrasing the passage in my own words.

8 You may find that major topics of this material will repeat topics or concepts covered elsewhere (such as love and authority). This serves to emphasize these points and allows each major topic of Study to be complete of itself (so major sections can be studied independently). To join our mailing list to be informed of new books or special sales, contact the author at Page #7 Growing a Godly Marriage Marriage Preparation and Improvement Introduction There is significant evidence that many marriages today are troubled.

9 Many forces in society are undermining the Biblical concept of the home. * Divorce Each year the number of divorces is about half the number of marriages. * Conflict and violence Many families quarrel continually or even become violent. Nearly 1/3 of all murders are committed between family members. * Fornication and sexual unfaithfulness Premarital sex and even extra-marital sex are commonly accepted. * Rebellious and delinquent children Many young people rebel against the moral or religious standards taught them by their parents.

10 * Confusion about authority and roles in the home We are told that it is old-fashioned for parents to insist that their children obey them or to use physical punishment to motivate their children. Society often opposes belief in separate roles for husbands and wives (husband as breadwinner and family leader, and wife as homemaker). It follows that a Study of marriage should be valuable to everyone. * Couples who are engaged or seriously considering marriage should appreciate guidance about how to have a good marriage and how to determine whether or not they are suited for one another.