In this episode of More Than Roommates, Derek, Gabrielle, and Scott discussing holidays, especially related to expectations around family and in-laws. How can you proactively address some of the challenges couples often face around holiday expectations?

Scriptures:

James 4:1

Matthew 7:12

Phil 2:3-4

Galatians 1:10

Questions to Discuss:

1. What’s your favorite Holiday movie? Is Home Alone a Christmas movie? (Yes, of course it is!).

2. How can you fight back against selfishness during the holidays?

3. How can you and your spouse be peacemakers this holiday season?

Resources:

More Than Roommates - Episode 51 - How To Make This Your Best Holiday Season Yet (Part 1 in a 2-Part Series)

More Than Roommates – Episode 52 – How to Have the Best Holidays Yet With Your Family and In-Laws (Part 2 in a 2-Part Series)

Live from the 2024 More Than Roommates Marriage Conference! In this episode of More Than Roommates, Derek, Gabrielle, and Scott respond to a testimony of infidelity shared live at the 2024 More Than Roommates Marriage Conference. We share some lessons learned on how to protect our marriages.

Registration is now open for the 2025 More Than Roommates Marriage Conference! Find out more at harriscreek.org/events.

Scriptures:

1 Corinthians 10:12-13

Romans 13:14

Luke 6:47-49

PS 16:11

MT 7:3-5

1 Tim 1:15

Questions to Discuss:

1. As we unpack Kevin & Kelli’s testimony, what stuck out to you from our observations?

2. What do you run to when you’re stressed in life and in marriage?

3. Who or what is the biggest problem in your marriage?

Resources:

More Than Roommates Episode 102 – A Story of Redemption and Forgiveness (feat. Kevin & Kelli Mainz)

In this episode of More Than Roommates, we get to hear a testimony from Kevin & Kelli Mainz and their story of infidelity and recovery. While you may not have the same testimony as Kevin & Kelli, you can still learn from their mistakes and be encouraged by God’s faithfulness in their story.

Registration is now open for the 2025 More Than Roommates Marriage Conference! Find out more at harriscreek.org/events.

Questions to Discuss:

1. What are you most encouraged by or challenged by in Kevin & Kelli’s testimony?

2.How have you experienced God’s grace, mercy, and forgiveness in your life and in your marriage?

3. What story does your marriage tell? A story of brokenness or of redemption and healing?

Scriptures:

Romans 12:2

Deut 31:8

Rom 8:28

Ecc 9:9

PR 3:5-6

Isa 40:28-31

We are so excited about the 2025 More Than Roommates Marriage Conference on January 31-February 1, 2025 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.

We sold out last year and we assume we will this year as well, so come join us while spots are available!

As always, if we can answer any questions, email us at [email protected]. Please make sure to rate and review More Than Roommates, and please share with your friends.

In this special episode of More Than Roommates, Derek, Gabrielle, and Scott talk Elections, Your Vote, and Your Marriage. We discuss whether you and your spouse should share who you’re voting for, how you can disagree well, and what to do if you disagree on who to vote for.

Scriptures:

MT 22:15-22

2 Cor 6:14

Ephesians 4:3-5

MT 5:13-16

Jeremiah 29:7

Romans 12:1-2

Eph 4:29

Questions to Discuss:

1. What are some disagreements that you and your spouse had in the past that are funny to look back on now?

2. How can you and your spouse disagree well to the glory of God?

3. What can kindness look like in your marriage even when you disagree with one another?

Resources:

Peace Talks Series – Part 1, Peace With God, Jonathan Pokluda

Podcast – Becoming Something – Episode 289 – Conspiracies and Candidates (feat. Jason Woodruff)

Podcast – The Pour Over, 2024 Election Topics Bonus Episodes

Instagram Post - The 11:05 Challenge

Welcome to the 100th episode of More Than Roommates! In this episode, Derek, Gabrielle, and Scott celebrate the fact that we’ve now released 100 episodes! We share some of our favorite episodes, what we’ve learned about marriage through this podcast, and how marriage has changed each of us.

Questions to Discuss:

1. What have you learned about yourself, your spouse, and marriage through listening to More Than Roommates? Share with our team by emailing [email protected]

2. What is God currently teaching or showing you about your marriage?

3. How has marriage changed you?

Scriptures:

James 3:1

Ephesians 5:22-27

Resources:

List of all episodes of More Than Roommates on Apple Podcasts

List of all episodes of More Than Roommates on Spotify

In this episode of More Than Roommates, Derek, Gabrielle, and Scott discuss the unique challenges and opportunities that come along with different seasons of parenting, from newlyweds to the empty nest. How can you keep your marriage strong in every season?

Questions to Discuss:

1. What’s your favorite season of the year? (Winter, spring, summer, fall)

2. How can you keep your marriage strong in your current season of marriage and parenting?

3. Regardless of the season you’re in, what are the priorities for your marriage and family?

4. What can you do today in your marriage to help you finish the race strong?

Scriptures:

PR 15:22

Luke 6:47-49

John 16:33

1 Corinthians 7:28

Phil 2:3-4

Mark 10:45

Eph 5:15-16

Romans 12:2

Hebrews 12:1-2

Resources:

Are You at Risk for Gray Divorce?, by Focus on the Family

In this episode of More Than Roommates, Derek, Gabrielle, and Scott discuss how to discover and celebrate the spiritual gifts God has given to both you and your spouse. How can you live on mission together, using and highlighting the gifts God has given to each of you?

Scriptures:

Ephesians 4

1 Corinthians 12

Romans 12

1 Peter 4

Ephesians 5:25-27

Questions to Discuss:

1. What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?

2. What are your spiritual gifts?

3. How can you highlight your spouse’s gifts?

4. Ask your spouse how you can help them use their gifts.

Why is conflict between a husband and wife and the in-laws so common? In this episode of More Than Roommates, Derek, Gabrielle, and Scott discuss some common challenges couples often encounter with family and in-laws and discuss some ways to proactively build and reactively repair in-laws relationships.

Scriptures:

Ruth 1:16-17

Romans 12:18

Hebrews 12:14

Romans 12:10

Matthew 7:3-5

1 Peter 3:7

Genesis 2:24

Col 3:12-14

Resources:

More Than Roommates – Episode 94 – How to Be a Better Listener in Marriage

More Than Roommates – Episode 32 – The Non-So-Secret Guide to In-Law Relationships (feat. Dave Willis)

More Than Roommates – Episode 21 – How Can We Have Healthy Relationships with Our In-Laws?

Questions to Discuss:

1. Why do in-law and family relationships often seem so fragile and challenging?

2. How can you be for your in-laws and family and not against each other?

3. What are some ways you can do a better job of believing the best about your in-laws instead of assuming the worst?

4. Challenge: Make a commitment to consistently pray for your in-laws and family.

In this episode of More Than Roommates, Derek and Scott interview Colby and Amanda Taylor about how to stay engaged in your marriage from before you say “I Do” until “Death do us part.” We discuss the importance of focusing on the marriage and not just the wedding day and how couples can thrive long after they say “I do.”

Resources:

Embellished Weddings & Events – Website and Instagram

The Engaged Life – Website and Instagram

Ready or Knot? 12 Conversations Every Couple Needs to Have before Marriage, by Scott Kedersha

Scriptures:

James 4:6

Question to Discuss:

1. What’s the most outrageous thing you’ve ever seen at a wedding?

2. What’s one decision you’re glad you made from day one of your marriage?

3. How can you stay engaged in your marriage? What’s one thing you can do to help fight against the drift away from oneness?

In this episode of More Than Roommates, Derek, Gabrielle, and Scott talk what the Bible says about rest, the importance of Sabbath rest and your marriage, and reasons why we struggle to Sabbath.

Scriptures:

Exodus 20:8-11

Genesis 2:2-3

Mark 2:23-28

MT 11:28-30

Resources:

Books - Practicing the Way and The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, by John Mark Comer

Podcast, More Than Roommates, Episode 62 – Your Marriage and the Unhurried Life (feat. Chris Schultz)

Podcast, More Than Roommates, Episode 82 – How Does Work Affect Your Marriage (feat. Jordan Raynor)

Books – Andy Crouch – The Tech-Wise Family and Amy Crouch & Andy Crouch - The Tech-Wise Life

Book - Sabbath Keeping, by Lynne Baab

Website – 9 practices - Practicing the Way

Questions to Discuss:

1. How do you and your spouse do with sleep and rest?

2. How often do you and your spouse set aside intentional time for rest?

3. What prevents/keeps you from Sabbath rest? (i.e., pride, trust)

4. What would Sabbath rest make possible in your lives, family, and marriage?