There is a best-selling book from John Gray entitled Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus. He followed it up with another best seller Mars and Venus on a Date. It’s based on his research into dating and relationships between the sexes. Even though the books are written from the secular perspective I like using it for the simple reason that it corroborates most of the male-female interactions that we talk about. In fact, not merely John Gray, but most every relationship book and blog that I have read says the same thing. They say that despite our many similarities, man and woman also have their differences, and when we approach this collection of similarities and differences from the right perspective it leads to a flow blessing between the man and woman. This perspective is the Theology of the Body.

When we teach about lead/ follow in marriage at TOD we are talking about the relationship between thw bridegroom and the bride. This is the only part of the marriage we believe in which the natural role of the man is to lead and that of the woman is to follow. This romantic lead/follow is required if the couple is to be the image of Christ and the Church. This lead/ follow has the same complimentarity we see in dance.

There are many other roles, such as friendship, managing the day to day business of a marriage, raising children, or following the Lord. When it comes to friendship or managing the affairs of the home there is no established lead or follow. When it comes to raising children the parents should both lead and the chldren follow in Gods Love (more TOB!) When they form a domestic church the couple follows Christ together.