1. Lesson 4: Selecting a Companion
The Family & the Home
Lesson 4: Selecting a Companion

2. Picking A Mate (review)
People in the world look for “chemistry”…
Physical attraction (Prov. 31:30)
What is had in common (Eccl. 2:1-11)
Material possessions (Mt. 16:26; Lk. 12:21)
Education or I.Q. (1 Cor. 1:26)

3. Picking A Mate: “Fit to be Tied”
Marriage is a serious decision! Consider these important questions that I need to honestly answer for myself (2 Cor. 13:5)…
Am I a sincere Christian (2 Tim. 1:5)?
Do I have a good self image (Mt. 22:39)?
Am I more negative than positive (1 Cor. 13:7)?

4. Picking A Mate: “Fit to be Tied”
Am I more selfish than unselfish (1 Cor. 13:5)?
Am I in love or infatuated (Eph 5:22ff; Cor. 13:4-8; Tit. 2:4-5)?
Am I compatible with my friend (Amos 3:3)?
Am I mature enough (Gen. 2:24)?
Do I have similar interests (Eccl. 9:9)?

5. Picking A Mate: “Fit to be Tied”
Marriage is a serious decision! Consider these important questions that must honestly be answered regarding the other person (1 Tim. 5:22)…
Does this person truly fear God (Eccl. 12:14)?
Will this person teach our children to fear God (Eph. 6:4; 2 Tim. 1:5; 3:15)?
Will this person help make me a stronger spiritual person (1 Pet. 3:7)?

6. Picking A Mate: “Fit to be Tied”
What kind of home life does this person come from (1 Cor. 15:33)?
What is his/her understanding of the marriage and family relationship and role: husband, father, wife, mother (Eph. 5:22 – 6:4)?
Does he/she have initiative or drive to be a diligent worker in and out of the home (1 Tim. 5:8, 14)?

7. Picking A Mate: “Fit to be Tied”
Will he/she be dominated by his/her parents? Am I marrying the whole family (Gen. 2:24)?
How will this person handle situations that arise when training children (Eph. 6:1-4)?
Will this person hinder my service to the Lord (1 Cor. 15:58; Heb. 10:25)?

8. Picking A Mate: “Fit to be Tied”
Does this person change or improve after discussing problem areas (2 Cor. 7:9-11)? Am I assuming I can change this person after marriage?
Does this person show real, sacrificial and serving love (Eph. 5:25ff; Tit. 2:4)?
How well does this person communicate (Col. 3:18-21; 1 Pet. 3:7)?

9. Picking A Mate: “Fit to be Tied”
Is this person spiritually minded (Col. 3:1-3)?
Does this person show signs of denying self or just doing what he/she wants all the time (Phil. 2:3-4)?
Does this person exhibit the works of the flesh or the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:19-24)?

10. Review Questions
1. What do people in the world look for in a mate? 2. What are some good questions to ask of yourself and your prospect before picking a mate?