More than Roommates

Many couples have a poor picture of the commitment required to thrive in marriage. In this episode of More Than Roommates, we discuss two types of commitment and why they’re both required to thrive in your marriage. Scriptures: Matthew 19:3-6 Matthew 5:37 Ephesians 5:22-33 Acts 20:24 Phil 3:14 John 15:13 Phil 1:6 Questions to discuss: What does it mean that God is a Covenant keeping God and how do...

While every marriage is different, there tend to be some common characteristics of couples who thrive. In this episode, we discuss four common characteristics of married couples who thrive in marriage. Scripture: John 15:5 James 4:1 1 Timothy 1:15 Proverbs 13:20 Hebrews 10:24-25 Matthew 7:3-5 Matthew 19:6 Matthew 5:37 Questions to Discuss: 1. Input - How have you fed your soul this week? What are...

Approximately one-third of all weddings in America today form stepfamilies and many couples are either currently part of a stepfamily or grew up in a stepfamily. And even if you didn’t, chances are extremely high that you know some stepfamilies. In this episode, we interview Blended Family speaker, author, and podcaster, Ron Deal. We hope this episode helps your marriage and family and that you’ll...

Every couple knows what it’s like to be stuck in a decision. What do you and your spouse do when you’re stuck and can’t move forward? In this episode of More Than Roommates, we discuss some steps you can take to get unstuck in your marriage. Scriptures: Genesis 2:24 PR 18:1-2 James 1:19-20 PR 15:1 Colossians 4:6 2 Tim 3:16-17 1 Thess 5:16-18 James 1:5 PR 16:9 PR 13:20 Isa 26:3 Resources: More Than...

What do you do when you and your spouse are in a spiritual mismatch, where one spouse is more spiritually mature than the other? In this episode we discuss what to do and how you can best grow your relationship and encourage your spouse. Share this one with a friend who needs some encouragement. Questions to Discuss: How can you specifically pray for your spouse if you’re more mature than they are...

In this episode of More Than Roommates, we discuss how technology can positively and negatively impact your marriage. There are plenty of dangers and benefits of technology, and we need to think through how technology can grow our marriage and not hurt them. Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 6:12 1 Corinthians 10:13 Ephesians 5:15-16 Matthew 5:27-30 Philippians 2:3-4 Mark 1:35 Questions to Discuss: How do...

Technology can be both a blessing and a curse. In this episode of More Than Roommates, Derek, Gabrielle, and Scott discuss ways to grow in oneness in your marriage when it comes to phones and technology. Scriptures: Genesis 2:24-25 PR 28:13 Romans 13:14 Psalm 139:23-24 Galatians 5:1 Questions to Discuss: 1. Is there anything technology-related that’s off-limits to your spouse? Are there any legiti...

In this episode of More Than Roommates, Scott interviews marriage pastor and author Kevin Thompson about three roles we are each created to play in marriage. We talk about what marriage was intended to look like before the fall and the three roles we get to play in marriage today (and what happens when we don't live as friends, partners, and lovers). Scriptures: Genesis 2:18-25 Ecclesiastes 4:9-12...

We are so excited about the More Than Roommates Marriage Conference on February 2-3, 2024 at Harris Creek! We'll have great teaching, breakouts, fun, and surprises as we seek to help couples take the next intentional step to become so much more than just roommates. We hope to see you there! You can find all the details about the conference and sign-up to join us right here .   As always, if we ca...

The holidays provide a great opportunity for us to love and serve our families. Yet, they’re often filled with stress, conflict, and broken relationships. In this episode of More Than Roommates, we discuss how we can best serve our families and keep our marriage strong during the holiday season. Scriptures: Romans 12:10 Genesis 2:24 Proverbs 27:17 Romans 12:2 1 Thessalonians 4:13 Questions to Disc...

How can we keep our marriage strong in the middle of a very full holiday season? In this episode of More Than Roommates, Derek, Gabrielle, and Scott discuss practical ways you can strengthen your marriage and family to make this the best holiday season yet! Scriptures: Mark 10:45 Romans 12:1-2 Questions to Discuss: What are some holiday traditions we can start or continue to do in our marriage? Wh...

Many of us tend to be quick to blame our spouse and slow to own our part. In this episode of More Than Roommates, Derek, Gabrielle, and Scott discuss how we can do a better job of owning our part instead of blaming. Draw the circle around yourself and work on the person inside the circle. Scriptures: Matthew 7:3-5 1 Timothy 1:15 Psalm 139:23-24 Proverbs 28:13 Shownotes: How to Stay Married: The Mo...

In this episode of More Than Roommates, we interview Justin Whitmel Earley, author of Made For People. We discuss loneliness and how to fight for a life of friendship, both inside and outside of marriage. We also talked about vulnerability, technology, forgiveness, social media, and so much more! Shownotes: Justin’s website – Justin Whitmel Earley (check out his email list!) Made For People : Why...

In this episode of More Than Roommates, Derek, Gabrielle, and Scott discuss how to keep your marriage strong when you have kids. It’s easy to make your kids your number one priority, so we discuss practical wisdom on how to keep your relationship with Jesus and your spouse strong while still raising your kids. Scriptures: Ephesians 6:10-20, Genesis 2:24, Eph 4:1-3, Romans 12:18, PR 13:20, 22:6, Ma...

What if there was one habit you and your spouse can do in your marriage that would dramatically increase your likelihood of marital success and satisfaction? In this episode of More Than Roommates, Derek, Gabrielle, and Scott talk about the importance of prayer in marriage and share about Scott’s new book, The Ready or Knot Prayer Guide.    Scripture: James 5:16, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, Matthew 18:20...

Coming this Fall on More Than Roommates - technology, keeping your marriage strong when you have kids, commitment, holidays, and much more. We also have some great guests joining us this fall. As always, if we can answer any questions, email us at marriage@harriscreek.org. Please make sure to rate and review More Than Roommates, and please share with your friends.

BONUS EPISODE! In this episode of More Than Roommates, Derek, Gabrielle, and Scott share some of their takeaways from their interview with Professor Nancy Pearcey about her book The Toxic War on Masculinity. They discuss what surprised and encouraged them and also discuss what healthy spiritual leadership in the home looks like. Scriptures: Galatians 3:28, Genesis 1:26-27, Proverbs 22:6 Shownotes:...

What if much of what you hear about marital satisfaction and divorce rates inside and outside the church is actually incorrect? In this week’s episode of More Than Roommates, Derek, Gabrielle, and Scott interview Professor Nancy Pearcey about her latest book, The Toxic War on Masculinity. Stay tuned for a bonus follow-up episode later this week!   Nancy Pearcey is the author of  The Toxic War on M...

It’s inevitable for every married couple that you will walk through times when your spouse annoys you. What do you do in these situations – overlook it, pray about it, talk to them about it, talk to others about it? In this episode of More Than Roommates, Scott, Derek, and I Gabrielle discuss what to do when your spouse annoys you. Scriptures: James 4:1 Matthew 7:3-5 Proverbs 19:11 1 Corinthians 1...

In-Laws and family of origin often get a bad reputation, and our relationship with our families is often a major stressor in marriage. In this week’s episode, Derek and Scott interview podcaster, speaker, and author Dave Willis. Dave and his wife Ashley host the very popular podcast, The Naked Marriage with Dave & Ashley Willis. We’re confident this episode will both help and entertain you as we d...

We’re answering our most frequently asked questions! When do you start trying to grow your family? How many kids should you have? What if you want kids but can’t get pregnant? How should couples view children? Derek, Gabrielle, and Scott answer these questions and more in this week’s new episode of More Than Roommates. Scriptures: Genesis 1:27-28 Psalm 127:3-5 James 1:17 Matthew 19:12 Matthew 28:1...

Busyness is one of the biggest challenges to marriages and we don’t even realize it. It’s the sucker punch and silent killer of many relationships that affects every part of our lives. In this episode of More Than Roommates, pastor and author Gary Thomas joins Scott & Derek as we discuss busyness and marriage. Gary is the author of more than 20 books and serves on the teaching team at Cherry Hills...

In this episode (Part 2 of a 2-part series), Derek, Gabrielle, and Scott discuss what practical implications of what the Bible says about roles in marriage. We discuss how biblical roles play out in marriage with specific examples from our own marriages. Scriptures: Proverbs 18:2, Phil 2:3-4, Romans 12:10, 1 Corinthians 12 Resources - We’re including more resources that normal since we know this i...

In this episode (Part 1 of a 2-part series), Derek, Gabrielle, and Scott discuss what the Bible says about roles in marriage. We discuss different views on marital roles, and even share some of our own different views on this topic. Roles are often misunderstood and abused, so we all need to think (and act) rightly on this topic. Scriptures: Ephesians 5:22-28, Genesis 1:26-27, 2:28, 3:16; John 14:...

In Part 2 of this 2-part series, Byron & Carla Weathersbee, founders of Legacy Family Ministries , share three more patterns they’ve observed in couples who thrive in marriage. They share from their own 39 years of marriage and 28 years of full-time marriage ministry. This is Part 2 in 2-Part series from the Weathersbees. We discuss resilience, unity, and spiritual intimacy. Scriptures: 1 Corinthi...