The True Purpose of Marriage

Learning outcome To have thought about why people get married. To recognise that God intended marriage to occur and the church sees that marriage has a purpose

Quiz time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You meet the man/woman of your dreams they are drop dead gorgeous and seem to like you too should you get married? You dont want to grow old on your own, you hate being lonely but you are getting on a bit. You think youll accept whoever comes along and asks you to marry them. Youve just lost your job and are going to have to move out of your home because you cant keep up the payments. Your boy/girl friend have asked you to move in with them and get married, you might as well itll save the money worries You are head over heels in love; you get on really well together and have similar ideas and views. You know youll stay together for the rest of your life. Should you say yes when he/she asks you.

Your family are driving you mad about being left on the shelf and asking what is wrong with you. You are so fed up with it that you are tempted to say yes when your boy/girl friend asks you to marry them for the 10 th time – should you say yes? Youve just found out that you/ your girlfriend are/is pregnant. You werent planning on getting married but know the parents are asking you too. Should you get married? Youve been dating your current partner for 3 years now and seem to get on OK with each other. Both of your families want and expect you to get married. Should you?

Genesis 2 God made woman for man. What does this mean? The Catholic Church believes that there are true reasons for getting married. What do you think those reasons might be? New life, Mutual support, Love, Commitment

Big Decision As marriage is such a big commitment and so important to the Church what can be done and should be done to help people prepare for it? How do you know that you are ready for marriage? What do you have the right to expect from your partner?

Activities 1)State and explain what the church believes the purpose of marriage to be? 2)Identify at least 3 different parts of the marriage ceremony that illustrate that purpose and explain how it does that. 3)Give 2 good reasons an individual Christian might have for wanting to get married? 4)Give 3 ways that the Church could help a couple preparing for marriage to understand what they are taking on. Explain how each way would help a couple. 5)Imagine you are God giving Adam and Eve an introduction to this new thing you have created called Marriage. Write a simple explanation of what marriage is and its purpose.

Marriage today is all about the dress, party and honeymoon. Do you agree show that you have thought about both points of view and give evidence for your thinking.

Learning outcome To have thought about why people get married. To recognise that God intended marriage to occur and the church sees that marriage has a purpose