1. Marriage

2. Co-Habitation Pros and Cons Reasons Research

3. Alone Together: How Marriage in America Is Changing (by Paul R. Amato, et. al) Some Conclusions: Self-development & personal fulfillment came to replace mutual satisfaction & successful team effort as the basis of marriage The institutional & individual pull underlies much of the tension found in current marital relationships

4. Value privacy more Social integration generally strengthens marriages Religious participation more so than religious beliefs are associated with positive marital outcomes More effective communication, problem-solving skills, better mental & physical health, lower risk of divorce

5. Why Marry?

6. Marriage: A Covenant of Love Covenant: A covenant is meant to be permanent “the two shall become one flesh” (Mark 10:8-9)

7. Marriage in the church- Preparation Church Requirements Society Requirements

8. Marriage in the Church: The Rite of Marriage Questions: Have you come here freely and without reservation to give yourselves to each other in marriage Will you love & honor each other as husband and wife for the rest of your lives? Will you accept children lovingly from God and bring them up according o the law of Christ and his church

9. Vows Formal way the couple makes their covenant with each other To be valid (true and binding): Wedding is for a day, marriage is for a life time!

10. Annulment Legal divorce first Church Tribunal Grounds: Lack of Due Discretion Defective Consent Psychic Incapacity (can include addiction)