1. Lesson 2: God’s Purpose in Marriage
The Family & the Home
Lesson 2: God’s Purpose in Marriage

2. 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)

3. What Is Marriage? (review)
Indissoluble in nature – “let not man put asunder” (Mt. 19:6; see also Mal. 2:16; 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)

4. 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)

5. The Biblical Family is in Decline

6. 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; Prov. 22:6; Eph. 6:1-4; 1 Tim. 3:4; 5:14; Tit. 2:4-5)

7. Fulfillment of Sexual Desire
Proverbs 5
1 Corinthians 7
The wrong place:
fornication
5:1-14, 20-23
(see also Prov. 2, 7, 9)
The wrong place: fornication
7:1-2
(see also Gal. 5:19)
The right place:
marriage
5:14-20
The right place: marriage
7:3-5, 9

8. 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; unrealistic idea of marriage
Marrying because you are pregnant
Marrying for money, fame, prestige, etc.
Marrying to get away from an unhappy life
Marrying for spite

9. 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?