More Than a Game
Most Marriages Don't Notice This Mistake, Until It's Too Late
September 6, 2026 | By Jim Burgen
Most marriages don't explode overnight. They drift.
This is Part 2 of More Than A Game. We dig into what it really takes to build a marriage that goes the distance with a clear vision, full intent, and a practical strategy for becoming one. It's about covenant over contract and choosing oneness on purpose.
Whether you're feeling distant, stuck in the same fight, or just coasting while career and kids get your best, this one is for you. Watch now and take an honest look at where you are and where you could go together.
In this message you'll discover:
— Why every marriage on mission needs vision for where you're headed, intent to stay all in, and strategy for what to start and stop
— What true oneness really means and why intimacy is far bigger than just sex
— How husbands are called to love with sacrifice that fuels joy and purpose
— How wives bring life through respect, belief, and words that build strength
Jim Burgen
September 6th, 2026
// Bible References: Matthew 19:4-6, Genesis 2:24, Ephesians 5:25-33, 1 Timothy 5:8
// Community Question: What’s one small thing your spouse does that makes you feel loved?
// Discussion Questions
- In the message, Jim talks about having a Vision, Intent, and Strategy for marriage. What does your current 'strategy' for your marriage actually look like — is it intentional, or more of a 'we'll figure it out as we go' approach?
- Jim describes 'covenantal intimacy' as being fully known by your spouse — nothing hidden, no shame, no secrets, not just physical closeness. How does that definition of intimacy change the way you think about what's missing or present in your marriage? Is there an area of your life where you feel like you are 'hiding' from your spouse- emotionally, spiritually, or practically? What would it take to bring that into the light?
- In Ephesians 5:25-29, husbands are commanded to love their wives the way Christ loved the church, sacrificially and at great personal cost. What does that kind of sacrificial love actually look like in everyday, ordinary life, beyond just paying bills or buying gifts?
- Ephesians 5:33 commands wives to respect their husbands. Jim explained that respect means seeing your spouse's strengths and making them feel safe rather than threatened. How does the way a wife speaks to and about her husband shape who he actually becomes over time?
// Challenge: Jim was very honest about how he neglected his marriage by pouring himself into his career and ministry, telling himself Robin would understand. He called it 'an affair with his job.' How do the busyness and pace of everyday life quietly pull couples apart without them even realizing it? This week, take some time to look honestly at your own life right now: what person, habit, responsibility, or distraction has been quietly competing with your spouse for your time and heart, and what would it look like to repent of that and reorder your priorities?