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 • Marriage Tip 11: Give and Receive Instruction
 • FREE Marriage Builder Series
 • Other Upcoming Opportunities
 
Marriage Tip 11: Give and Receive Instruction
 
The need for instruction is met by modeling, equipping, and training in how to live. 2 Tim. 3:16 “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, reproof, correction and training in righteousness.”
 
Receive God’s instruction through His word making it the ultimate authority in your life.
The Spirit moved men and produced God-breathed writings—the Bible (2 Pet. 1:20, 21; 2 Tim. 3:16). Make God’s Word your “owner’s manual” and the ultimate authority for your life. Refuse to walk in the counsel of the ungodly (Psa. 1:1), but devote yourself to hearing, reading, studying, memorizing, and meditating on the Bible. God promises success as we meditate on His word: “in whatever he does he prospers” (Josh. 1:8; Psa. 1:2-3).
 
Receive instruction from your partner. Lose the “I know it all attitude.” None of us has it all figured out. God put your partner in your life for a reason—to help you become more like Christ (Rom. 8:29). Learn from their expertise. Opposites attract and provide balance.
 
Example is the best teacher.
It is hard for children to admit they are wrong when they never see parents admit their own wrongs. What you do speaks louder than what you say. Always proclaim the gospel, use words when necessary.
 
Communicate care before instruction. People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. We are to speak the truth but do so motivated by love (Eph. 4:17).
 
Make sure the need of the moment is really instruction. People very rarely select instruction as a desired need. I include it because it is the need we most commonly try to meet (wrongly), even though it rarely is the perceived need of the moment. When we give driving directions, people find it offensive because they do not want instruction, but think that they are smart enough to find a parking spot without your help.
 
Measure your wisdom and spiritual maturity by your teachability. Instruction is hard to receive—especially for men. Because men have a high need to make an impact in life, they deeply desire to be competent. Therefore, they prefer to instruct others instead of receive instruction (not realizing that the best way to impact others is to let others impact you). “Listen to counsel and accept discipline, That you may be wise the rest of your days” (Prov. 19:20).
 
When you instruct, use God’s word. The Word of God is living and active sharper than any two-edged sword (Heb. 4:12), so let it do the cutting in the deep recesses of someone’s heart.
 
How have you given and received instruction?
   
FREE Marriage Builder Series
 
Women@TallowoodMen@TallowoodCouples’ Group Classes
 
Get your PhD (Perfecting Home Development) in the essential skills of marriage and family satisfaction and become a marriage champion—one who wins at marriage by conquering its many enemies. Learn to fight off the “two-getherness-killers” like anger, fear, worry, anxiety, and resentment that can build walls of distance in a marriage.
 
Don’t just tie the knot, but tighten the knot as you strengthen abilities to incorporate relevant and practical biblical principles of harmonious connecting. Enjoy experiential activities alone with your partner guaranteed to fortify your marriage and family relationships.
 
Whether you want to make a great marriage even better or resurrect a dead marriage, learn the secrets of having “a friendship on fire” as you become better friends and lovers.
 
Child care available by reservation!

When?
First Tuesday of every month (6:30-8:00pm) through December 7, 2010

Where?
Tallowood Main Campus, Grand Room (map)
Detailed Map of Tallowood Campus
 
Tallowood Campus Map
 
Cost
Completely free! Includes child care (by reservation).
 
Contact & Registration
Kim Holton
(713) 468-8241 ext. 8134
kholton@tallowood.org
Register Now
 
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Happy Couple
 
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About Karl Elkins
 
Karl Elkins, LPC, ThM, MA, CSC, BCPCC, DAPA has 25 years of counseling experience and is an Adjunct Instructor at College of Biblical Studies teaching Marriage and Family courses. He is Founder and President of Christway Counseling Center P.C. specializing in marriage and family counseling. He earned a Master’s degree in Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary, and a Master’s degree in Counseling from Colorado Christian University. He was formerly on staff with Intimate Life Ministries and director of a Houston Minirth-Meier New Life Clinic. He is married to Terry Elkins and has two grown children.
Karl Elkins
   
Other Upcoming Opportunities
 
Two-Day Marriage Clinic™
The fastest way to marriage harmony! A two-day clinic to learn and experience the 25 Core Relational Life Skills. More Info »
 
Three-Day Accelerated Marriage Counseling (AMC)™
Includes all of the topics, instruction, and counseling projects in the Two-Day Marriage Clinic™, but is completely private—you, your partner and the counselor only. More Info »
 
Individual Counseling
We offer individual counseling to couples desiring an introductory session or two, follow-up sessions, or focused counseling. More Info »
 
Monthly Marriage Enrichment Group
Ongoing accountability group helps you internalize the good practices you’ve learned, avoid returning to bad habits, and develop new marriage-building skills. Next meeting is on May 6. More Info »
 
Contact Information
Phone: (832) 358-0900
E-Mail: terry@christwaycounseling.com
Web: www.christwaycounseling.com
 
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