What To Do Before You Say I Do Part 1

Teachable Woman PodcastEpisode: What To Do Before You Say "I Do"Featuring Rev. Michele Owes & Rev. Diana P. Cherry

IntroductionIn this special episode of the Teachable Woman Podcast, Rev. Michele Owes sits down with Rev. Diana P. Cherry to discuss the completion of her upcoming book, What To Do Before You Say "I Do." With wedding season in full swing, they explore the biblical foundation of marriage, the importance of personal preparation before entering a lifelong covenant, and practical wisdom for building healthy, God-centered relationships. Whether you're single, engaged, newly married, or have been married for years, this conversation offers timeless principles rooted in Scripture.

Episode Highlights1. Marriage Begins with God's DesignBefore discussing relationships, Rev. Cherry takes listeners back to Genesis, emphasizing that marriage is God's institution. Understanding God's original intent for mankind provides the foundation for understanding His purpose for marriage.

2. Preparation Comes Before CommitmentOne of the central themes of the episode is that saying "I do" should never come before personal preparation. Spiritual maturity, self-examination, wisdom, understanding, teachability, and realistic expectations are essential before entering marriage.

3. Identity MattersThe discussion highlights the importance of understanding who God created us to be before entering a marriage covenant. Rev. Cherry explains her book's biblical perspective on creation, identity, and God's design for male and female while encouraging listeners to seek truth through Scripture.

4. Marriage Doesn't Fix Personal ProblemsThe hosts remind listeners that unresolved issues do not disappear after the wedding. Instead, marriage often magnifies habits, character flaws, and expectations. They encourage honest introspection before marriage rather than expecting a spouse to change afterward.

5. Healthy Marriages Require Grace—and FunMarriage is serious, but it should also be enjoyable. The conversation includes humorous real-life examples showing how small habits can become major irritations if left unaddressed. Laughter, grace, kindness, and the ability to enjoy one another are presented as important ingredients for a lasting marriage.

6. Intimacy Is Part of God's Good DesignRev. Cherry and Rev. Owes discuss intimacy from a biblical perspective, emphasizing that physical intimacy within marriage is God's idea and should be enjoyed with love, respect, and mutual care. They also