The Family & the HomeThe Family & the Home

Lesson 2: God’s Purpose in Marriage

What Is Marriage? (review)

Divine in origin – “what God has joined together…” (Mt. 19:6; see also Prov. 18:22)

United in construction – “Bone of my bones … leave … cleave … one flesh” (Gen. 2:23-24)

Monogamous & heterosexual in form – “a man … his wife” (Gen. 2:24)

What Is Marriage? (review)

Indissoluble in nature – “let not man put asunder” (Mt. 19:6; see also Mal. 2:16; 1 Cor. 7:39; Rom. 7:2)

Multiple in purpose –

“a help meet for him” (Gen. 2:18, 20)

“become one flesh” (Gen. 2:24)

“be fruitful and multiply…” (Gen. 1:28)

The Biblical Family is in Decline

The Biblical family, as God designed it (Gen. 2:18-25), is in decline due to…

More divorces (1940’s-50’s)

More singles relationships opposed to “traditional” marriage and family (1960’s-70’s)

More homosexual relationships (1980’s-90’s)

More bio-tech relationships (21st century)

The Biblical Family is in Decline

http://www.prb.org/Publications/Articles/2003/TraditionalFamiliesAccountforOnly7PercentofUSHouseholds.aspx

God’s Purpose in Marriage

Marriage is for…

1. Companionship (Gen. 2:18-23; 1 Pet. 3:7)

2. Fulfillment of sexual desire (Gen. 2:24; Prov. 5:15-19; 1 Cor. 7:1-5, 9; Heb. 13:4)

3. To have and raise children (Gen. 1:28; 9:1; Psa. 127:3; 128:1ff; Eph. 6:1-4; 1 Tim. 5:14; Tit. 2:4-5)

Wrong Reasons for Marriage

Marrying for the wrong reasons often leads to a marriage that will not last…

Marrying because it’s a common practice

Marrying because of a “fall in love” fantasy or lust

Marrying because you are pregnant

Marrying for money, fame, etc.

Marrying to get away from an unhappy life

Review Questions

1. What can we know about marriage from Genesis 1-2?

2. What factors in the past 70 years have lead to the decline of the family?

3. What is God’s three-fold purpose in marriage?

4. What are some wrong reasons for marriage?