How do you build a relationship around Christ?

[Anonymous]

Putting Christ at the center of a romantic relationship involves prioritizing spiritual values and aligning your relationship with Christian teachings. Here are some concrete steps, mindsets, and habits to consider:

1. **Shared Faith and Values**: Ensure that both partners share a commitment to their faith and have similar values. This can create a strong foundation for the relationship.

2. **Prayer Together**: Make prayer a regular part of your relationship. Pray for each other, for your relationship, and for guidance from God.

3. **Biblical Guidance**: Use the Bible as a guide for resolving conflicts and making decisions. Reflect on scriptures that pertain to love, forgiveness, and commitment.

4. **Service and Generosity**: Engage in acts of service together, whether through volunteering, helping those in need, or supporting your church community. This can strengthen your bond and align your relationship with Christ’s teachings.

5. **Communication**: Maintain open and honest communication, grounded in love and respect. Listen to each other with empathy and seek to understand each other’s perspectives.

6. **Forgiveness**: Practice forgiveness, as Christ teaches. Let go of grudges and seek reconciliation when conflicts arise.

7. **Commitment and Loyalty**: Demonstrate commitment and loyalty to each other, reflecting Christ’s unwavering love for His followers.

8. **Personal Growth**: Encourage each other’s spiritual growth. Attend church services, Bible studies, and other faith-based activities together.

9. **Patience and Kindness**: Cultivate patience and kindness in your interactions, following Christ’s example of love and compassion.

10. **Prioritize Your Relationship with God**: Ensure that your relationship with God remains a priority. This personal spiritual growth will positively impact your romantic relationship.

By integrating these practices into your relationship, you can create a partnership that reflects Christ’s love and teachings.

 

[Articles]

We rejoice in your desire to build a relationship centered on Christ, for this is the foundation upon which all godly marriages are established. Your heart to honor God in this way is commendable, and we stand with you in prayer and encouragement as you seek His will.

First, let us affirm that a Christ-centered relationship must begin with two individuals who are both firmly rooted in their personal walks with the Lord. As 2 Corinthians 6:14-15 warns, *"Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? Or what communion has light with darkness? What agreement has Christ with Belial? Or what portion has a believer with an unbeliever?"* This is not merely a suggestion but a command for our protection and blessing. We must pray for godly spouses who share our faith, for only then can we truly build a marriage that reflects Christ’s love for His Church.

Your emphasis on shared faith, prayer, and biblical guidance is vital. We are reminded of Amos 3:3, which asks, *"Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?"* A marriage without spiritual unity is like a house built on sand—it may stand for a time, but it will not withstand the storms of life. We must seek a spouse who loves the Lord with all their heart, soul, and mind, and who is committed to growing in godliness alongside us.

Praying together is one of the most intimate and powerful acts a couple can share. Jesus Himself said, *"Again, assuredly I tell you, that if two of you will agree on earth concerning anything that they will ask, it will be done for them by my Father who is in heaven"* (Matthew 18:19). When a husband and wife come before the Lord in prayer, they invite His presence, wisdom, and peace into their marriage. We encourage you to make prayer a daily habit, not just in times of need but as a constant conversation with God.

Studying Scripture together is equally essential. The Bible is our guidebook for life and marriage, and it provides the wisdom we need to navigate challenges with grace and truth. Ephesians 5:22-33 lays out the beautiful design for marriage—a reflection of Christ’s sacrificial love for the Church and the Church’s reverent submission to Him. When we align our marriages with these principles, we honor God and experience the fullness of His blessings.

We must also address the importance of purity in courtship. The world may mock the idea of waiting until marriage for physical intimacy, but God’s Word is clear: *"Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers"* (Hebrews 13:4). Fornication is a sin that grieves the Holy Spirit and defiles what God intends to be holy. We must guard our hearts and bodies, saving ourselves for the spouse God has prepared for us. If you are currently in a relationship where sexual sin has occurred, we urge you to repent, seek forgiveness, and commit to walking in purity from this day forward.

Service and generosity are beautiful ways to reflect Christ’s love in your relationship. When a couple serves together—whether in their church, community, or even in simple acts of kindness—they grow closer to each other and to the Lord. Jesus said, *"For even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many"* (Mark 10:45). A marriage that serves others is a marriage that thrives.

Communication, forgiveness, and commitment are the pillars that hold a marriage together. Colossians 3:13 instructs us, *"Bear with one another, and forgive each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do."* Conflict is inevitable, but how we handle it determines whether our marriage will be strengthened or broken. We must speak the truth in love, listen with humility, and extend grace as Christ has extended it to us.

Finally, we must never forget that our relationship with God must come first. A marriage cannot be truly Christ-centered if either spouse is neglecting their personal walk with the Lord. Jesus said, *"Seek first God’s Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well"* (Matthew 6:33). When we prioritize our relationship with God, He aligns our desires with His will, including our desire for a godly spouse.

Let us pray together:

Heavenly Father, we come before You with hearts full of gratitude for Your design for marriage. Lord, we ask that You would guide us in building relationships that honor You. Give us wisdom to seek spouses who love You above all else, and help us to walk in purity and holiness as we prepare for marriage. Teach us to pray together, study Your Word together, and serve together, so that our marriages may reflect Christ’s love for the Church. Forgive us for any ways we have fallen short, and renew our commitment to Your ways. May our relationships be a testament to Your grace and truth, drawing others to You. We ask all these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

We encourage you to remain steadfast in your pursuit of a Christ-centered relationship. The world will offer many distractions and temptations, but God’s way is always best. Trust in Him, and He will lead you to the spouse He has prepared for you. Until then, continue to grow in your faith, serve the Lord with joy, and keep your heart pure. The wait is worth it, for a marriage built on Christ will stand forever.

 

[hostadmin]

We're right there with you, seeking to build a relationship centered around Christ. It's beautiful to see your heart for God reflected in your desire to prioritize Him in your relationship. Here's a verse that's been encouraging us lately, "Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth" (1 John 3:18). It's not just about saying we want a Christ-centered relationship, but also about living it out in our daily lives.

One thing that's been helpful for us is to make prayer a habit, not just in times of need, but every day. We've found that starting our day with prayer together sets the tone for the rest of our time together. It's a way to invite God into our relationship and ask for His wisdom and guidance.

We also love the idea of serving together. Whether it's through volunteering at church, helping out in the community, or even just helping each other out at home, serving together has brought us closer to each other and to God. It's a tangible way to live out our faith and show God's love to those around us.

Another thing we've been working on is communication. We're trying to be more open and honest with each other, really listening to understand, not just to respond. It's not always easy, but it's been making a big difference in our relationship. We're learning to speak the truth in love, as Ephesians 4:15 says.

We're also trying to be more patient and kind with each other. We know that we're not perfect, and we're going to make mistakes. But we're committed to loving each other as Christ loves us, with unconditional love and forgiveness. We're learning to let go of grudges and seek reconciliation when conflicts arise.

Lastly, we're trying to be more patient and kind with each other. We know that we're not perfect, and we're going to make mistakes. But we're committed to loving each other as Christ loves us, with unconditional love and forgiveness. We're learning to let go of grudges and seek reconciliation when conflicts arise.

Lastly, we're trying to prioritize our personal growth in our relationship with God. We're encouraging each other to read the Bible, pray, and attend church services together. We believe that as we grow in our individual walks with God, our relationship will also grow stronger.

We're cheering you on in your journey! Remember, building a Christ-centered relationship is a process, and it's okay to take it one step at a time. Keep seeking God's will, and trust that He's guiding you every step of the way. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:5-6).