This past quarter I taught an Adult Sunday School class on Marriage. We used the book by Paul Tripp titled What Did You Expect? Redeeming the Realities of Marriage.

I highly recommend this book for anyone that is married. Whether you are newly married or approaching 40+ years of being married, you will find this book to be a great resource for a godly marriage.

Paul opens the book by asking what is the most important thing for a happy marriage? When I asked my class that question, the responses ranged from romance, to love and from one overachiever, Jesus!

While all of those are key, the most important thing is worship! The rest of the book unpacks what that means, and for me, that is the key to this book, and its amazing relevance for anyone who is married (or seeking to be married). 

Paul Tripp says a marriage of unity, understanding, and love is not rooted in romance, but in worship. Romance is a result of a good marriage, not the cause of a good marriage.

Marriage, this side of heaven, will always be a war between two kingdoms- the kingdom of self and the kingdom of God. What I treasure/desire (worship) will control my heart.

What I worship is what I pursue. He continues that what rules your heart will always exercise control over your life and your behavior. Conflicts arise because of the desires that battle within our hearts and when others get in the way of what we want and desire. 

Readers of this book will find themselves asking whether they are seeking to please the kingdom of self or the kingdom of God. Tripp uses practical illustrations to demonstrate real heart issues.

Teaching this class caused me to pause and reflect on my own thoughts and deeds. Tripp says that you will never know the peace of the King if you are trying to be the king. 

You will find this book in the OBC bookstore. I encourage you to get one for yourself and maybe another for a friend, or your spouse. Learn how to preach the gospel to yourself to realign your worship and realign your marriage – all to the glory of God!