1. 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; 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)

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 (21 st century)

5. The Biblical Family is in Decline http://www.prb.org/Publications/Articles/2003/TraditionalFamiliesAccountforOnly7PercentofUSHouseholds.aspx

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

7. 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

8. 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?