Transformation in Narratives of Generative Devotion for Christian Couples

Generative devotion is a desirable outcome for some married Christian couples who strive to cultivate flourishing relationships with each other and with God (Dollahite et al., 2019). A narrative approach was adopted to investigate distinctive patterns among a subgroup of Christians from their experience of growth in their marital quality, emotional maturity, and spiritual journey as a couple. The results for the thematic analysis emerged in 13 shared themes, connecting in a larger pattern: foundation, oneness, depth, and growth. The emic results contribute to and expand the etic models of the generative devotion researchers. These findings may inform researchers, therapists, and pastors from these communities who work to equip Christian couples in pursuit of godly marriages. The patterns that emerged from these couples may inspire adherents of other faiths who desire to build healthy relationships as they work towards growing in faith, emotional maturity, and depth of love in marriage.