The document outlines the stages of marriage, highlighting romantic, bargaining, coercive, desperation, and acceptance phases. It discusses the negative implications of divorce, including financial and emotional harm, while promoting a perspective that values marriage as a covenant and encourages realistic wedding vows. The text emphasizes the importance of considering alternatives to divorce and acknowledges that both partners are flawed and require commitment.

1. #8 – Marriage or Divorce
In Love for Life
Building or Rebuilding a Great Marriage
Mike Mazzalongo

2. Stages of Marriage
1. Romantic stage

3. Stages of Marriage
1. Romantic stage
2. Bargaining stage

4. Stages of Marriage
1. Romantic stage
2. Bargaining stage
3. Coercive stage

5. Stages of Marriage
1. Romantic stage
2. Bargaining stage
3. Coercive stage
4. Desperation stage

6. Stages of Marriage
1. Romantic stage
2. Bargaining stage
3. Coercive stage
4. Desperation stage
5. Acceptance stage

7. Romantic Realism
A romance based on what is real,
not what is imagined or idealized.

8. Divorce Solution:
1. Creates new problems

9. Divorce Solution:
1. Creates new problems
2. Hurts financially

10. Divorce Solution:
1. Creates new problems
2. Hurts financially
3. Hurts emotionally

11. Divorce Solution:
1. Creates new problems
2. Hurts financially
3. Hurts emotionally
4. Hurts spiritually

12. Divorce Solution:
1. Creates new problems
2. Hurts financially
3. Hurts emotionally
4. Hurts spiritually
5. Hurts Socially

13. Marriage Solution:
1. Consider other option

14. Marriage Solution:
1. Consider other option
2. God hates divorce

15. Marriage Solution:
1. Consider other option
2. God hates divorce
3. The covenant

16. Realistic Wedding Vows
I take you as my lawfully wedded spouse
with the full knowledge that you are weak
and sinful as I am weak and sinful in
many ways, but despite all of this I
commit myself to loving you and being
faithful to only you till death do us part.

17. Exercise
Write new vows:
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