Marriage redefined

Marriage redefined 2 October 2016 How to Stay in Love, Singles Edition LG Discussion Guide Today is our final installment of the How to Stay in Love series and we want to have an interesting conversation about MARRIAGE! The institution of marriage has been here since creation but lately it has taken a knock. Divorce and infidelity are on an all-time high and marriage is being redefined to include all kinds of worldly perversions. But why is this? What is marriage? What is the purpose of marriage and who is it for? One of our generation’s greatest needs is to redefine marriage from God’s perspective so we can make informed choices whether we are married, single and searching, or simply single. READ and Discuss: Genesis 2:15-24 NIV What is marriage? Marriage is a covenant relationship in which a man and a woman are united together as one in order to accomplish God’s purpose for their lives. (Genesis 2:24) Marriage is not a contract. A contract and a covenant are different. DISCUSS: What is the significance in viewing marriage as a covenant rather than a contract and why? Read and DISCUSS: Mark 10:1-12 NIV What is the basic qualification for marriage? 1. Being of legal marriageable age 2. You love each other, and want to spend the rest of your lives together. 3. Scripturally, a Christian should only marry another Christian. Why are there increasing numbers of older singles today? 1. People are spending more time in school and career preparation. 2. People have become too choosy. 3. The blurring of gender (equal rights/women’s emancipation) What is the purpose of marriage? 1. Companionship. (To have a friend) Gen 2:18 2. Support (To have help) Gen 2:18 3. Bearing and Rearing (To have Kids) Gen.1:28 4. Enjoyment (To have Fun) 5. Witness (To Tell a Story). Eph 5:31-33: Christ & the Church DISCUSS: Have you had a wrong view of marriage that needs to be transformed by God’s Word? If so, how? REMEMBER: Don’t rush to get married to get ‘fixed’ and don’t choose singleness to remain ‘safe’. Both these choices are built on negative experiences and could potentially bring us pain and regret later on. Marriage choice will have a big impact on the future of our families and the people we love and influence. Make a “covenant God choice” not a “good” choice.