Week 10: Chapter 14 — The Real Reason Marriages Fail (or Succeed)

1.Eggerichs argues that most marriages fail not because of incompatibility or circumstance, but because of a failure to meet the other's deepest need — love or respect. Do you find this explanation too simple, or does its simplicity make it more powerful? Why?

2.The author returns to the 'goodwilled spouse' concept — the idea that most spouses genuinely want a good marriage but are operating with the wrong strategy. How does believing in your spouse's good will change the way you interpret their failures?

3.Genesis 2:24 describes marriage as a 'one flesh' union — a joining that God Himself performs. How does understanding marriage as a divine covenant rather than a human contract change the stakes for how we handle it?