Hope Couples

October 19, 2008

Facilitated by the Care Department, aiming at strengthening the relationship of couples with Christ at the centre, the Hope Couples’ Day was held in the club house of Apex with over 15 couples participating.

After the joyful and lively Praise & Worship session led by Brother Tony,Pastor Gavin gave an opening to the event. He enlightened the couples by introducing the theme of the day – “What do you have to do to fill the love tank of your spouse?”. He started with a Bible verse from 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, ” Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” He stressed that the couples needed to learn from the Lord and worked together to fill the love tank.He also showed us the various ways that were practical for the love filling.

After the orientation,the couples were divided into 4 groups : husbands’ groups and wives’ groups ,married for more and less than 5 years.Each group had to share and conclude the suitable activities that would be good to fill the love tank of their spouses.

The followings were the contents they presented:
(1) Wives’ group (Married for less than 5 years)
Respect him, accept him, be patient with him, care for him, cheer him up, understand him, love him, say “I love you”, talk to him in the right time, stay calm to express ideas, be willing to listen, give him more space and stop nagging him etc.
(2) Wives’ group (Married for more than 5 years)
Acceptance, patience, respect, trust, gentleness, do not be fussy, keep no record of wrongs, show your care, appreciation, true forgiveness, be all-round, be presentable etc.
(3)Husbands’ group (Married for less than 5 years)
Lots of attention (passionate), respect and trust, more communication, be understanding, intimacy (with expression), care, patience, buy her flowers and gifts, kiss (morning and night), be a good listener, pray together, put her first, develop common interest, buy her favourite food, more words & actions, read the Bible together etc.
(4) Husbands’ group (Married for more than 5 years)
God’s love, be frank, be gentle, appreciation and praise, be a careful husband, spend quality time together, sharing time, willing to listen, give her a sense of security, pray for God’s blessing to be upon her, be a joyful person to influence her etc.

The presentations stimulated the couples to further the discussion with enthusiasm.
At the end Pastor Gavin urged the couples to put what they had learnt into practice. He also poured water into a tank to show how it worked. He wished all the couples could always have a full tank filled with the love of the Lord.

Surely, the couples were joyful,they left with a filled tank and a wish that the next gathering would come soon !