I heard about relationship agreements and marriage contracts so I thought I would write up sample agreement from a conservative Christian view.

Do you see any value in this type of agreement? Why or why not?

Is there anything you would add or exclude?

As followers of Jesus Christ we ____ and ___ agree to live out our marriage based on the authority of the holy scriptures and not according to the customs of the current culture.

Responsibilities


The husband's primary responsibility is to rule his wife with love. The following responsibilities are for practical guidance in daily life. The husband is responsible to provide financially for the wife's care. This includes sufficient healthy food, adequate clothing and shelter appropriaye for the environment and access to available and normative health care. The husband must be forgiving so that bitterness does not ruin the relationship. The husband is responsible to be emotionally and sexually available as needed except where it will interfere with other responsibilities. The husband is responsible to encourage his wife's spiritual, intellectual and emotional growth. The husband is responsible for purchase and maintenance of property such as real estate, vehicles and appliances but may at his discretion delegate these responsibilities. The husband will protect his wife to the best of his ability and willing to sacrifice his own life if necessary to protect her. The husband must prayerfully consider any respectful appeal from his wife. Relevant scriptures KJV: Colossians 3:19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; Genesis 3:15-16 KJV heel. [16] Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow i and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to j thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. 1 Corinthians 7:3-4 KJV Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: a and likewise also the wife unto the husband. [4] The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.

The wife's primary responsibility is to respectfully submit to her husband. The following responsibilities are for practical guidance in daily life. It is understood that life will get in the way. The wife must be respectful to her husband. The wife is responsible to be a helper to her husband and his mission. The type of help required can only be determined by her husband. The wife is responsible to be available for sex as needed. The wife is responsible for nurturing the children. The wife must bring any problems with the family assets to the attention of her husband in a timely manner. The wife is responsible for maintaining her health and appearance to a level acceptable to her husband. The wife is responsible to develop a meek and quiet spirit. The wife is responsible to dress modestly under the direction of her husband. With the help of God, the wife is responsible to conceive children at her husbands discretion. Relevant scriptures KJV: Colossians 3:18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 7:4 KJV The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. 1 Peter 3:1-6 KJV Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the a word be won by the conversation b of the wives; [2] While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. [3] Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; [4] But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. [5] For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: [6] Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. Genesis 1:28 KJV And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish j the earth, and subdue it:

Authority


Definition: the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience. "he had absolute authority over his subordinates" synonyms: power, jurisdiction, command, control, charge, dominance, rule, sovereignty, supremacy

The husband has authority delegated to him by God. The wife has as much authority over the children as is delegated to her by her husband.

Discipline should be corrective and encouraging beginning with training. Punishments should be on a scale based on the severity and repetition of the transgression. Rebukes and warnings should be made before other consequences are given. Natural consequences are preferred where practical unless those would be more damaging.

Training is needed for children and employees. A wife's relationship with her husband lies somewhere between that of a child to parent and an employee to boss. The marriage relationship is more intimate than either of these and should be longer lasting. The husband should consider what training would be most helpful for the marriage and how often it is needed.

Relevant scriptures KJV: Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 1 Peter 3:7 KJV Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

Punishable behaviors: Defiance, Disrespect, Dishonesty, Dangerous (reckless endangerment) Consent of Punishments: Initial punishments consented to. Writing lines or verses Fine not to exceed Loss of privilege ____ Loss of privilege __ Loss of ___ privilege ___ Time out not to exceed ____ Spanking