More than Roommates

In this episode of More Than Roommates, Derek, Gabrielle, and Scott discuss things we do that may seem weird to the world but allow us to be different in our marriages than the struggling marriages we all see around us. These are decisions we’ve each made that may seem unique but allow us to strengthen our marriages. Scriptures: Romans 12:2 1 Peter 2:11 Philippians 3:20-21 2 Timothy 2:4 Resources:...

Do you and your spouse have inside jokes, traditions, or rituals that make your marriage unique and build a culture of exclusivity in your marriage? In this episode of More Than Roommates, Derek, Gabrielle, and Scott discuss the importance of building a strong culture in your marriage that makes it different than any other marriage on the planet. Scriptures: Genesis 2:24-25 Revelation 2:4 Proverbs...

Everyone of us struggles with temptation—even Jesus faced temptations! What are the temptations we need to avoid that can wreck our marriage? And how is marriage uniquely designed so that we can help each other flee from temptations? Scriptures: Proverbs 5 Proverbs 18:8 Proverbs 13:20 1 Peter 1:16 Questions to Discuss: 1. What does it look like for you to flee from temptation? 2. What temptations...

On this episode of More Than Roommates, Derek and Scott have an authentic and honest conversation with Aaron Smith from the ministry Marriage After God. We discuss pornography, intimacy issues, and the challenges many couples face. Aaron and his wife Jennifer hope to inspire individuals to draw closer to God and their spouse as they chase boldly after God’s purpose for their life together. Scriptu...

In our culture, it’s extremely common for married people to have celebrity crushes—studies say 80% of married men and women have celebrity crushes. Does that make it okay for you or your spouse to have a celebrity crush? Should you have crushes on anyone besides your spouse? Scriptures: Proverbs 5:18-19 Romans 12:1-2, 13:14 Ephesians 5:3 1 Corinthians 6:18 Questions to Discuss: Who’s the most famo...

We have an enemy who likes to feed us lies about marriage, temptation, and God’s design for relationships. The enemy actively tries to destroy our marriages, but as followers of Christ, the One we serve and follow is greater! We hope you’re encouraged by this new episode of More Than Roommates.   Scriptures: 1 Peter 5:8 John 10:10 1 Corinthians 13:5 Romans 5:8   Resources: Book –  The Screwtape Le...

While this may not be the story for most of our marriages, polyamorous relationships (multiple romantic relationships with the consent of all involved) are gaining traction in culture. What do you need to know about polyamory and how can you protect your marriage?   Scriptures: Isaiah 4:1 1 Peter 5:8 John 10:10   Resources: Podcast –  The Briefing with Albert Mohler  – February 15, 2024 Book –  Ge...

In this episode of More Than Roommates, we interview Counselor and Author Christa Hardin about her book and work with the enneagram. The enneagram is a helpful resource to help you learn more about yourself, your spouse, and your interactions in marriage and today we discuss how it can help you strengthen your marriage. Scripture: 1 Peter 3:7 Resources: Christa’s Book – Enneagram in Marriage , by...

In Part 2 of this series on being a learner in marriage, Derek, Gabrielle, and Scott discuss different ways we can all learn in marriage and what we're each learning in our own marriages currently. Scripture: 1 Peter 3:7 James 1:22-25 Resources: Blog Post - Do You And Your Spouse Have Teachable And Humble Hearts In Marriage? Book – The 5 Love Languages , by Gary Chapman Questions to Discuss: 1. Ho...

In this episode of More Than Roommates, Derek, Gabrielle, and Scott discuss what they did and didn’t learn in premarital counseling. Whether engaged or married for decades, we hope today’s new episode encourages and challenges you in your marriage. Scriptures: Proverbs 18:2 James 1:19 1 Corinthians 7:28 Resources: Book – Tim Keller, The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment wi...

Multiple studies and articles show that the average couple talks to each other for only twenty minutes per week. In this episode, Derek, Gabrielle, and Scott discuss practical ways to make time in your marriage to connect and communicate with each other. All healthy couples might intentionally fight for time together. Scriptures: Colossians 3:12-14 Matthew 18:15-17 Ephesians 4:29 Resources: Blog P...

In this episode of More Than Roommates, Scott interviews his friend Justin Davis. With candor and transparency, Justin shares he and his wife’s powerful marriage testimony and we discuss the value of authenticity in helping couples be so much more than just roommates. Scriptures: Proverbs 28:13 Genesis 2:25 Questions to Discuss: Justin defined intimacy as being fully known emotionally, spiritually...

One of the best ways you can grow your marriage is to set aside time every week to ask each other some intentional, specific questions. In this episode of More Than Roommates we discuss the weekly meeting and some questions you can ask each other every week. Scriptures: Genesis 2:25 2 Corinthians 12:9 Ephesians 5:15-16 Questions to Discuss: What is God teaching you?  How can I serve you better thi...

Today in part 9 of our 9-part series on the Fruit of the Spirit and your marriage, we discuss self-control. Like a city whose walls are broken down, a marriage marked by a lack of self-control is often broken and in need of restoration. In this episode of More Than Roommates, we discuss why it matters to demonstrate the fruit of self-control in your marriage. Galatians 5:22-23 Proverbs 25:28 Quest...

Today in part 8 of our 9-part series on the Fruit of the Spirit and your marriage, we discuss gentleness. In our relationships, we either escalate/exacerbate the challenges with anger or a lack of gentleness, or we demonstrate the fruit of spirit of gentleness and turn away wrath. Galatians 5:22-23 Proverbs 15:1 Matthew 11:28-30 Gentle and Lowly , by Dane Ortlund Questions to Discuss: 1. What’s a...

Today in part 7 of our 9-part series on the Fruit of the Spirit and your marriage, we discuss faithfulness. We all want to be faithful in every aspect of our lives and reflect God’s faithfulness. This plays out in many different ways in our marriages! Galatians 5:22-23 2 Timothy 2:13 Luke 16:10 Questions to Discuss: 1. Are there any teams/brands/artists that you are way too loyal to (i.e., they ca...

Today in part 6 of our 9-part series on the Fruit of the Spirit and your marriage, we discuss ‘goodness’. What if our marriages were marked by integrity and goodness? We know God is good, and so how can we look more like Jesus in our marriage? Galatians 5:22-23 Romans 3:10-12 Psalm 14:3 Psalm 31:19 Acts 5:1-11 Questions to Discuss: 1. When did you most get in trouble for school (for cheating, or f...

Today in part 5 of our 9-part series on the Fruit of the Spirit and your marriage, we discuss the importance of kindness. What if our marriages were marked by kindness? How different would we look than the rest of the world if husbands and wives were kind to one another? Galatians 5:22-23  Romans 2:4 Ephesians 4:32 Psalm 145:17 1 Corinthians 13:4 Questions to Discuss: 1. What were some TV shows yo...

In part 4 of our 9-part mini-series on the Fruit of the Spirit we’re talking about patience! In our instant society, patience can be really challenging. But when we’re led by the Spirit, we can demonstrate a Christlike patience in our marriages.   Galatians 5:22-23 2 Peter 3:9   Questions to Discuss: 1. Is it easier for you to show more patience to other people or towards your spouse? 2. How does...

In part 3 of our 9-part mini-series on the Fruit of the Spirit we’re talking about peace! Is your life and your marriage marked by the peace that surpasses all understanding? With such a lack of peace in our world and in so many marriages, the marriage marked by peace stands out.   Galatians 5:22-23 Philippians 4:7 Isaiah 26:3 Romans 12:18 Ephesians 4:3 Proverbs 25:24 MT 11:28-30   Questions to Di...

In part 2 of our 9-part mini-series on the Fruit of the Spirit we’re talking about JOY! As part of the Fruit of the Spirit, our joy is intended to be connected to who God is, not the circumstances of life. And this is intended to be played out every day in our marriages.   Galatians 5:22-23 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Philippians 4:4 John 10:10 Psalm 16:11 Questions to Discuss:  1. What’s your favorit...

Welcome to our 9-part mini-series on the Fruit of the Spirit. With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, we’re doing 9 daily mini episodes on each of the nine Fruit of the Spirit. Today we talk about love and why it matters in a God-honoring marriage.   Galatians 5:22-23 1 John 4:18-19 Romans 5:8 John 15:13 Questions to Discuss:  1. Are you and your spouse aligned on expectations for Valentine’...

In this episode, Derek, Gabrielle, and Scott celebrate one year of More Than Roommates with some very special guests. Together we talk through some great conversations for you and your spouse to have that will help grow your marriage. Thanks for joining us this first year. We're so excited for all to come in the year ahead.   Scriptures: Ephesians 3:20-21 Hebrews 3:13   Resources: Book - The Ready...

In this episode of More Than Roommates, we talk with marriage pastor Chris Schultz about the unhurried life. Chris shares his marriage testimony (which includes $100,000 debt, infidelity, porn, and much more), and we discuss how you and your spouse can make decisions to live the unhurried life. Questions to Discuss: 1. How’s our pace of life and the pace of our marriage? 2. Do we have the courage...

Building trust is hard work that takes a lot of time and hard work. It’s often been said trust is built in drops and lost in buckets. Yet trust is so crucial in every relationship, especially in marriage. In this episode of More Than Roommates, we discuss how to build and restore trust in your marriage. Scriptures: Matthew 5:37 Proverbs 28:13 Romans 8:1 1 Corinthians 13:6 Questions to Discuss: Are...