Johnny Bell Books

Family Menu

Our families are composed of members with different tastes! Not specifically food- but hobbies, personalities, and goals. On this page, you will find resources for yourself, your marriage, and your kids.

Marriage Class

Over the spring, summer, and fall of 2023, we facilitated a marriage class during Sunday school. Lots of couples were in and out of town due to summer travel plans! We were asked to share notes for absent couples. Check in weekly to view the Google slides with lesson notes, embedded videos, and Biblical resources. We used a collection of Bible studies, Bible verses, Christian books, and public data to create lessons. Use and share at your own discretion.

Class #01- Why A Marriage Class?

Our introductory class was about setting the stage and tone for the course. Incorporating discussions, establishing boundaries, and readiness to dive deep into marriage was the focal point.

Class #02- Our Story

Couples spent time learning about the magical love story of other brothers and sisters! This allowed us to build stronger bonds and learn more about each other and reminisce on the days of “yesteryear.”

Class #03- Marriage = Three (God, Husband, Wife)

We finally got into the nitty-gritty of the course! Using the Bible as our guide, we started to examine the foundation of our marital home. We discussed the importance of God’s presence and how to love like Jesus.

Class #04a- Communication

After pouring the foundation of Jesus in the marriage, we were ready to build up our marital home by framing how we communicate. We communicate with words, tone, and body language. The homework reminded us to check our speech!

Class #04b- Communication

Communication is so important that we couldn’t stop talking after one class! Continuing with two breakout groups of men and women, we learned how to let Jesus’ love guide our speech.

Class #05a- Relationship

The frame is up, now its time to add the roof! Our relationship with our spouse covers all aspects of the marriage. We learned how our own individual well-being is important, as is peace and submission.

Class #05b- Relationship

If we’re adding the spiritual roof over our marital home, shouldn’t we take time to make sure its built to protect us from the elements? Forgiveness, security, and vulnerability were key words for the day.

Class #06- Expectations

Running electric wires, installing plumbing, and adding insulation are vital to a house- these things are also not visible. Are our expectations reasonable and clear to ourselves and spouse?

Class #07- Know Your Role!

With all the behind-the-scenes work done, we can focus on the visible and tangible parts of marriage. What are our individual roles to make a marriage work? Let’s install the drywall as we build our marriage!

Class #08- Love vs. Like

What’s the difference? Well, we clearly love our spouse, but there are times we feel a need to “social distance” from them. That’s the like. Let’s learn how this balance of the two L’s affects our relationship!

Class #09- Intimacy & Sex

As we cross the halfway point in the series, we see how the previous topics snowball and affect the sex life and level of intimacy in our marriage. While breaking church taboos of discussing sex, we complete our marital home by customizing our bedroom.

Class #10a- Your Parents

Now we begin the exterior work of building up the property around our marital home. The first external force in our marriage is our parents or whoever raised us. Why? Because what we observed and how we were treated molds us as individuals and carries into our marriage.

Class #10b- Mom & Dad

Because preparing the property of our marital home takes time! We complete the process of laying sod and reviewing the major impact of who we are and what we bring into marriage.

Class #11- The In-Laws

Boundaries are important to establish limits; fences are a great tool to use as boundaries. As we talk about our in-laws (parents, siblings, and extended family), we learn how and why boundaries are important to protect our marital home.

Class #12- Building a Support System

Your spouse is your greatest asset and resource in life. Sometimes, collectively, you both may need outside support. Let’s study how friends, church , parenting clubs, and counseling can be a blessing as we add a patio to our home!

Class #13- We Got Kids

Children are a wonderful blessing from God! Like trees, they are beautiful and unlock so many values to us as parents. Have you seen a tree too close to a home? It poses a threat, just like children too closely intertwined with our marriages.

Class #14- Finances & Tidbits

There are lots of topics and factors of marriage that we have not covered in the previous four and a half months. Like stuff stored in the garage, this week we try to clean out that space and see what’s in those old, dusty boxes!

Class #15- Life Cycle

Our marriage is full of so many happy moments! Yet, death is the one certainty that will end our union. As we tend to the garden or flowerbed, we examine how we can find comfort from God in these vulnerable moments.

Bonus Class on Blended Families

The class has covered so much ground, why not include a special class on a unique family construction plan? Blended families are important! Let’s see how Jesus’ relationship with his stepfather Joseph can model what our blended families should look like.

Class #16- Capstone Session

We have made it to the end! As we wrap up this five-month series, we share some of the Biblical principles taken and used in our marital homes. With food, fellowship, and fun, God’s love radiates as we discuss how to be a blessing to our spouse, family, church, and friends.