- Clint and Penny Bragg
Many years ago, our marriage was in
crisis and saving it seemed hopeless. Less than two years after we had walked
down the aisle to become husband and wife, we signed our divorce papers and
parted ways. Fast forward eleven years and 3,000 coast-to-coast miles and God
miraculously reconciled our marriage. The problem was that we didn’t know what
to do next.
Reconciling our relationship
presented us with a number of unexpected challenges. While our initial reunion
was seamless, shortly after remarrying each other we hit our first conflict and
panicked. In those hours, it was as if every argument and problem from the past
rose to the surface, skewed our perspectives, and threatened to put a halt to
our restoration.
This is just one of the unique
scenarios couples who reconcile are likely to face. And, it is from this very
premise that, many years later, we wrote our book, Marriage on the Mend as well as this workbook for small group
study. Throughout these two resources we share bits and pieces of our story to
convey that we are completely aware
of the challenges you’re facing. Whether you’ve experienced repeated marital
conflict, separation, or even divorce, we want you to know that we have been in
your shoes and walked the same road. All we ask now is that you allow us to use
our experiences to walk alongside you, cheering, “Yes, your marriage really can
be restored!”
No matter how things may appear right
now, God has the ability and desire to completely reconcile, restore, and renew
your marriage. Our prayer is that the insights, stories, exercises, principles,
activities, and questions included in this workbook will help you take some
crucial first steps toward total healing so that you experience a more intimate
relationship with God, as well as a healthy marriage.
This Participant’s Workbook is intended to be a small group companion to
the book, Marriage on the
Mend—Tangible Tools to Restore Your Relationship. By intention, some
of what is included in this workbook is extracted directly from the book. Not
only does this information merit a second read, but it serves as a springboard
for deeper study in your small group setting. In addition, every lesson in this
workbook contains a discussion vignette, suggested Scripture reading, biblical
background, lesson principle, lesson activity, discussion questions, and a
topical prayer. In order to get the most from each lesson in this workbook, we
suggest the following:
The process of reconciliation takes
work and it’s normal to experience struggles, setbacks, and plateaus on your
journey. However, we encourage you to make a conscious decision not to give in
to discouragement or doubt. God’s arm is not too short to save your marriage.
As we serve God through our work as
marriage missionaries, we often conclude our testimony by sharing this one
simple truth: “If God can reconcile and restore our marriage, He can do the same for you.” We believe that
statement to be true with all our hearts. There is no marriage in such
disrepair that it lies beyond God’s restorative reach. All you have to do is
grab hold of His hand and hang on for the ride. We are living proof that God
is, indeed, a God of second chances. Let the journey begin!
Marriage on the Mend—Participant’s Workbook
©Clint and Penny Bragg, 2009