Moving forward in faith but we need your help!

Urgent Need: Right now, Focus on the Family is facing a $2 million ministry shortfall. We are moving forward in faith that God will provide for our critical marriage and family programs, but we need your help. Will you stand in the gap with a vital gift before 11:59 p.m. on August 31?
$
Please enter a valid amount

Moving forward in faith but we need your help!

Your gift by August 31 will help Focus on the Family overcome a
$2 million shortfall and continue important family ministry efforts.

Moving forward in faith but we need your help!

Urgent Need: Right now, Focus on the Family is facing a $2 million ministry shortfall. We are moving forward in faith that God will provide for our critical marriage and family programs, but we need your help. Will you stand in the gap with a vital gift before 11:59 p.m. on August 31?
$
Please enter a valid amount

Moving forward in faith but we need your help!

Search

Marriage Success

A happy, mature couple smiling and embracing each other, demonstrating the strength and harmony that can come from dealing with differences in marriage.

Dealing With Differences in Your Marriage

Learning constructive ways to handle your differences is one of the most important things you can do to protect your marriage. You can decide to take control of your issues.

Couple ice skating on a snowy winter night by the light of strings of Christmas lights

3 Tips for Intentionally Connecting with Your Spouse

As we seek to focus on the significance of Jesus’ birth amid all the hustle and bustle of the season, another crucial part of Christmas is often lost.

A couple sits in a café, holding hands and smiling, highlighting the importance of communication in marriage and how it can be an example of Christ's love for us.

Communication in Marriage is an Example of Christ

How a wife and husband communicate with each other tells other people a lot about their relationship. Your marriage can be a witness of Christ’s love.

A mature couple walks hand-in-hand near some boats in a marina. The goal of you marriage vows is to build a lasting love in marriage

Enduring Bonds of Marriage: Building a Lasting Love

Authors Bill and Pam Farrel look back on some of life’s storms that helped them build a lasting, enduring love in their marriage. They offer some tips that will help you do just that.

3 Tips for a Great Marriage

Estimated reading time: 9 minutes Having a good marriage takes a lot of intentionality and effort. However, with these 3 tips for a great marriage, you can elevate your relationship with your spouse to the next level. 3 Tips for a Great Marriage Tip #1 for a great marriage: Believe the best—even when you’re hurt …

Young-couple-talking-with-older-marriage-mentors

3 Myths About How To Be a Marriage Mentor

What does it really take to mentor other couples? Longtime marriage mentors dispel three misconceptions.

A husband and wife are wrapped up in a blanket, that creates a heart shape around them, symbolizing the sexual intimacy that helps to create a healthy marriage.

The Secret to Sexual Intimacy With Your Spouse

When you choose to be affirming, encouraging and giving, you stimulate positive emotions in your spouse. Couples who understand this learn how to make love, not just have sex.

A couple holding hands while looking in opposite directions, symbolizing emotional distance and efforts in avoiding an affair.

How to Avoid or End an Affair

Consider the following ways to avoid or end an extramarital affair and learn about the importance of knowing your spouse’s primary needs.

married couples mentors and mentees stand on a rooftop, laughing and enjoying each other’s company on a sunny day. They are casually dressed in colorful sweaters, with arms around each other, and the backdrop features a wooded area

What to Look for in a Mentor

Every good mentor — or mentor couple — should have these three qualities.

A woman sitting on a couch with a thoughtful expression, looking away from a man in the background who appears to be talking. This scene could represent red flags in a relationship, where communication might be strained or there could be underlying issues.

Red Flags in a Relationship

When we’re excited about a relationship, it’s easy to overlook the red flags that at least need to be explored.

Two-married-couples-on-double-date-in-a-coffee-house

Couple Friends: Double Dating to Strengthen Your Marriage

Along with a couple’s relationship with God, it takes a supportive community of friends to keep a marriage strong.

Two young couples hanging out in a kitchen, enjoying each other's company

Premarital Counseling With Marriage Mentors

If you are preparing for marriage, we can’t emphasize enough (both from research and personal experience!) how important it is to have the support and encouragement of a veteran couple to walk alongside you. If you are looking for premarital counseling with a mentor couple, here are some common questions that you might find helpful! …

A couple stands back to back, and emphasizes the necessity for vulnerability in marriage.

To Know and Be Known: Vulnerability in Marriage

Dr. Henry Cloud describes how vulnerability makes a difference in marriage as it builds trust and empathy between a husband and a wife.

A couple prays together, holding hands at a table, symbolizing spiritual leadership, unity, and intimacy in their marriage.

Spiritual Leadership Creates Intimacy in Marriage

Spiritual intimacy can be a confusing issue for many couples. Dr. Greg Smalley offers personal insights on how husbands can be spiritual leaders and wives can see beyond basic spiritual disciplines for intimacy at home.

A happy couple is seen hiking together in a scenic, nature-filled setting, wearing backpacks and smiling brightly. The man in the foreground laughs joyfully, while the woman follows closely behind, looking at him with a smile. They appear to be enjoying a shared adventure, a symbol of partnership, exploration, and fun—highlighting ways to have a great marriage, such as spending quality time outdoors, enjoying shared activities, and maintaining a positive attitude together. This image conveys a sense of togetherness, communication, and appreciation for each other, essential components of a thriving relationship.

Love That Goes the Distance: 13 Ways To Have a Great Marriage

A lasting marriage really is possible. But don’t settle for a good marriage or a so-so marriage. Here are six secrets to a great marriage.

A newlywed couple walks through a field holding hands, confident in what they learned from the words of wisdom given to them that their marriage will succeed.

Single to Married: What I’ve Learned From My First Year of Marriage

While I realize that Noah and I have plenty of mountains and valleys to travel in the years ahead, we’ve experienced growth and victories even in the start of our journey.

A couple in love look into each other's eyes.

Responding to the Music

God has called husbands and wives to serve as unique vessels of His love for the other.

Back view of a couple silhouette hugging and watching sun on the beach

Back to the Future

If cherishing is to be pushed to an even higher level in a couple’s present experience of marriage, it will happen because they find ways not only to keep in touch with the past, but to project the past into the future.

A photo of two couples sitting in a circle, holding hands in prayer. Before you mentor a young couple, it can be helpful to understand their thinking and attitudes to best serve them.

How to Mentor a Young Couple Successfully

The Bible exhorts married couples to come alongside others to help them in their relationships. Here are some tips to help you mentor younger couples.

A photo of a young couple sitting on the couch, facing each other. You can see the back of the woman, and the man is facing her, listening intently. If there's one thing I have been working on in my marriage, it's this need reconnect with my spouse through meaningful conversation.

Reconnect Through Meaningful Conversation

Deep, meaningful conversation is a must for couples hoping to stay connected. Here are some guidelines to keep in mind.