Your Marriage StorySample

The Beats to Your Marriage Story

In our first lesson, we shared how your marriage is a story. It's one authored by God. 

Then in the second lesson, you learned that to craft a good marriage story, one should reflect the Gospel. 

Today we’re going to answer the question: how do you do that?

Here’s the answer: by taking a page from the writers of Hollywood blockbusters. Those experienced storytellers break down their scripts into “beats.” 

Many amazing stories share the same “beats” while having little else in common. For example, Harry Potter and Star Wars are two different, but popular, films. But writers often say that these two movies hit the same “beats.” And that by doing so, both have tapped into something that touches the world. 

So what are these critical “beats” your marriage story should hit to be a great story?

Let's go through an abbreviated retelling of the Gospel to uncover seven of them: 

This love story between mankind and God begins as the perfect relationship.

However, humans disobey, ignore, and betray God over and over, damaging the once-perfect union.

Despite this, God forgives. Forgiveness is one of the critical beats of a love story. 

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
1 John‬ ‭1:9‬ ‭ESV‬‬

God seeks to restore the broken relationship from eternal separation. To do so, He sends his son on a great Adventure (second beat): to save the world. 

“In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.”
1 John‬ ‭4:9‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Despite Jesus’ efforts to bring people the truth, mankind does not believe him. As a result, the rulers of the day murder him. For many, his Death (third beat) means all is lost. 

When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
John 19:30

However, three days later, his Resurrection (fourth beat) proves that Jesus has the power to bring life to a dead relationship.

We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
Romans 6:4

Because he overcame death, Jesus paid down man’s debt to God. The Redemption (fifth beat) of mankind has been completed. 

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,
Ephesians 1:7

As a result of this miracle, some people have a Revelation (sixth beat) that changes their life: this is what true love looks like. 

Then the eyes of the blind will be opened
And the ears of the deaf will be unstopped.
Isaiah 35:5

With their eyes opened and their spirits reborn, they experience Freedom (seventh beat) from self-condemnation and religious bondage.

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:1

Each one of these seven beats is a key story point in the Gospel. 

But they can also show up in your own marriage story.

When you can unearth those and tell them as part of your marriage, your marriage gains strength, meaning, and purpose.

If you want to be able to go deeper into these key moments to craft your own marriage story, learn more by going here: https://px.ignite-sf.com/marriage-story-bonus