06.03.T04-AP — Action Planning: Strengthening My Commitment
06.03.T04-AP — Action Planning: Strengthening My Commitment
Purpose
This tool helps you develop practical actions that will strengthen your ability to make, honour and sustain commitments as you prepare for marriage. The focus is on covenant commitment, faithfulness, reliability, partnership, endurance and spiritual anchoring.
Part A: My Commitment Growth Priorities
1. Which lesson from this chapter challenged me most regarding commitment?
2. Which lesson from this chapter would make the greatest difference in my life if I applied it consistently?
3. Which aspect of commitment will I intentionally strengthen during the next three months?
☐ Viewing marriage as a covenant responsibility
☐ Counting the cost of lifelong commitment
☐ Practising faithfulness in daily responsibilities
☐ Developing partnership thinking
☐ Strengthening emotional stability during difficult seasons
☐ Anchoring my commitments in God
☐ Other: __________________________
Why have I selected this area?
Part B: Building a Biblical Understanding of Covenant Commitment
4. What attitudes, expectations or beliefs about marriage must I change in order to prepare for lifelong covenant commitment?
5. Which view of marriage am I most tempted to adopt?
☐ Marriage as romance
☐ Marriage as companionship only
☐ Marriage as a wedding event
☐ Marriage as a covenant responsibility
☐ Other: __________________________
6. What practical steps will I take to strengthen my understanding of covenant commitment?
Part C: Counting the Cost of Lifelong Commitment
7. Which aspect of lifelong covenant commitment am I least prepared to sustain over many years?
☐ Faithfulness
☐ Shared responsibility
☐ Financial responsibility
☐ Sacrificial service
☐ Keeping commitments when emotions change
☐ Remaining committed during difficult seasons
☐ Placing the relationship above personal preferences
☐ Other: __________________________
8. Why does this area present a challenge for me?
9. What practical steps will I take to become better prepared for this aspect of lifelong commitment?
Part D: Practising Faithfulness Through Daily Conduct
10. Which current commitment best reveals whether I am ready for lifelong marital commitment?
☐ My relationship with God
☐ Family responsibilities
☐ Work responsibilities
☐ Church or ministry responsibilities
☐ Financial obligations
☐ Community responsibilities
☐ Other: __________________________
11. What does my conduct in this area reveal about my readiness for lifelong commitment?
12. Which commitment in my life am I most tempted to neglect when it becomes inconvenient, difficult or costly?
13. What specific actions will I take to become more faithful, reliable and consistent in the commitments I have already made?
14. How will these actions strengthen my readiness for lifelong marital commitment?
Part E: Developing Partnership Thinking
15. In which situations do I tend to prioritise personal preferences over partnership and shared responsibility?
16. What practical changes will help me move from "me" thinking to "we" thinking?
17. How will I practise partnership thinking in my current relationships and responsibilities?
Part F: Strengthening Commitment During Difficult Seasons
18. Which emotions are most likely to weaken my commitment when circumstances become difficult?
☐ Anger
☐ Frustration
☐ Disappointment
☐ Discouragement
☐ Fear
☐ Stress
☐ Other: __________________________
19. How have these emotions affected my commitment in the past?
20. What practical steps will I take to remain committed when commitments become inconvenient, costly or difficult?
This section reflects the chapter's emphasis that commitment is revealed when circumstances become difficult and when emotions fluctuate.
Part G: Anchoring My Commitment in God
21. Which commitment, responsibility or relationship do I need to place more deliberately before God?
22. What practical steps will I take to ensure that my commitments are guided by conviction rather than changing emotions?
23. Whose wise counsel can help me strengthen my commitment and accountability?
This section reflects the chapter's emphasis on submitting commitment to God and remaining open to wise counsel.
Part H: Applying the Lessons from the Feature Stories
24. Which lesson from Joy Nyabongo and her husband's experience will I intentionally apply to strengthen my commitment?
25. Which warning from Monica and Kenneth's relationship do I most need to remember?
26. Which aspect of Jacob's commitment to Rachel would strengthen my readiness for lifelong commitment if practised consistently?
27. Which commitment-related behaviour do I want to become increasingly evident in my life?
Part I: My Personal Action Plan
| Action to Be Taken | Completion Date |
|---|---|
My Commitment
Having reflected on the lessons from this chapter, I commit myself to strengthening my understanding of covenant commitment, practising faithfulness in my responsibilities, prioritising partnership over personal preference, remaining steadfast during difficult seasons and anchoring my commitments in God.
Signature: __________________________
Date: _______________________________
