You are about to embark on an adventure. For the next ten weeks, Mike will be speaking from the Bible about issues related to marriage. Each week, you will also receive a project. These projects are designed to help you apply the material from the message, and to give you some practical steps to prepare for a great marriage.
This week’s project is designed to help you begin to pray for and prepare for the person God has for you in the future. This might be a bit different for some of you, but it will be worth the effort. Mike has produced a reading list for the series, so be sure to pick up a copy of the reading list (if you forgot it, you can find it on our blog).
OK, here we go. Go somewhere and buy a candle. Ladies, this will be comfortable for you, but guys, go for it. Remember, this is going to be something that reminds you of God’s plan for marriage, and you are trying to catch a girl. Anyway, it might make your room smell better, which the ladies will like. Bring the candle home and put it in a special place where you can pray and focus on God’s plan without interruption. This candle will be your “altar”, the place where you and God can meet and you can focus on choosing God’s best. A candle is a great image. Many use a unity candle in their wedding, and this can remind you of the two flames becoming one. A candle also emits light, a reminder that Jesus is the light of our lives and homes.
Once you have found a place for your altar, begin using this as a place to pray for your future spouse, to read the Scriptures from the reading list, and to think about questions arising from the message. Be sure to light the candle. If you have a boyfriend, girlfriend, or fiancee, you might include them in these times. If this is new, start simply. Pray that God would protect your future spouse and prepare you for the day you will meet.
During your time this week, think about this question:
– If I truly believed that marriage is a path to loving and being loved by Jesus, what steps would I take to prepare for that day?