Bible Study
Marriage and the Family
Study the Word and grow in understanding.
11 Oct 2025
MARRIAGE AND THE FAMILY
Marriage is God's design and idea, from the foundation of the earth, even though it is culturally, Legally and Spiritually recognised all over the world as a union of a man and a woman coming together to become husband and wife (Genesis 2:18; Matthew 19:4-5, 1 Corinthians 7:39). We however get the best of it when we walk in God's commandments and His love for marriage and Family.
The marriage ceremony is the wedding, while the life thereafter is the Marriage itself. Marriage was God's idea ever before it crossed the mind of the first man, Adam. God himself thought about, and brought the idea of marriage to being so that the man will not be alone, but have a suitable helpmeet.
Marriage and family is the foundation, Bedrock and pillar on which our Church of God stands
We shall look at this topic in 2 precepts
1. Courtship
2. Marriage
Foundation of Marriage:
1.Courtship/dating
This is the time that two people meet and then go on to know themselves, and also have worthwhile conversations.
As a child of God, love God more than anyone else in your relationship (Matthew 10:37). He/she must go in to courtship with a fellow child of God (2 Corinthians 6:14-15)
"Can two walk together except they be agreed..Amos 3:3
Your partner must be a committed child of God. It's easier to pull down
Go in to it prayerfully because only God sees what you can not see/the future
"The thoughts I have for you are thoughts of good and not of evil, to give you an expected end" (Jeremiah 29:11)
• Keep praying together even in the courtship
• The time to confirm compatibility
• Talk/plan about everything e.g where to live, how many children to have, finances/budget
• Determines what the marriage will be like
Marriage:
It's God's idea, so it can only succeed when we run the race as God instructs in His manual, the Bible
Responsibilities
Man - love (Ephesians 5:25, 1 Peter 3:7)), rules in love, provision (1 Timothy 5:8), protection, leadership both physically and Spiritually(1 Corinthians 11:3), disciplinarian, raise the children in the fear of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4, Colossians 3:21) and praises his wife (Proverbs 31:28-29)
Woman - gives care, love (Titus 2:4), Nurses, a teacher, directs the affairs of the home(Proverbs 14:1, 1 Samuel 25:32-33)..not the marriage, a great support to the husband and the children (Genesis 2:18), counsellor. She is a crown of her husband (Proverbs 12:4).
Read Titus 2:4,5
*Fellowship regularly both in the Church and at home (Joshua 24:15; Job 1:4–5; Deuteronomy 6:5-7)
MANAGEMENT OF CRISIS IN MARRIAGE
1. Understand that happiness comes within
2. Unify your home. Talk over how you picture your home in your mind.
3. Never compare your relationship to one from the past, or your partner to a past partner
4. Arrange some together time. It should be just the two of you and no distractions (No TV, no company).
5. Actively reminisce about past times.
6. Settle differences without a third party
7. Express your point without abusing the person. Use words like "I am hurt when you do this"
8. Be ready to apologize sincerely especially when it is obvious that you are wrong, and even when you are not convinced
9. Learn to forgive and forget. Never refer to any past issues on which your partner apologized.
10. Recognize the place of prayer. Let God be involved in everything
Prayers for Families:
• Strength
• Provision
• Protection
CONCLUSION
Marriage was divinely established in Eden and affirmed by Jesus to be a lifelong union between a man and a woman in loving companionship. For the Christian a marriage commitment is to God as well as to the spouse, and should be entered into only between a man and a woman who share a common faith. Mutual love, honor, respect, and responsibility are the fabric of this relationship, which is to reflect the love, sanctity, closeness, and permanence of the relationship between Christ and His church.
Although some family relationships may fall short of the ideal, a man and a woman who fully commit themselves to each other in Christ through marriage may achieve loving unity through the guidance of the Spirit and the nurture of the church. God blesses the family and intends that its members shall assist each other toward complete maturity. Increasing family closeness is one of the earmarks of the final gospel message. Parents are to bring up their children to love and obey the Lord. By their example and their words they are to teach them that Christ is a loving, tender, and caring guide who wants them to become members of His body, the family of God which embraces both single and married persons.Fundamental Beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists, #23, Marriage and the Family. July 6, 2015, General Conference Session (GCC 15-1046)
Marriage is God's design and idea, from the foundation of the earth, even though it is culturally, Legally and Spiritually recognised all over the world as a union of a man and a woman coming together to become husband and wife (Genesis 2:18; Matthew 19:4-5, 1 Corinthians 7:39). We however get the best of it when we walk in God's commandments and His love for marriage and Family.
The marriage ceremony is the wedding, while the life thereafter is the Marriage itself. Marriage was God's idea ever before it crossed the mind of the first man, Adam. God himself thought about, and brought the idea of marriage to being so that the man will not be alone, but have a suitable helpmeet.
Marriage and family is the foundation, Bedrock and pillar on which our Church of God stands
We shall look at this topic in 2 precepts
1. Courtship
2. Marriage
Foundation of Marriage:
1.Courtship/dating
This is the time that two people meet and then go on to know themselves, and also have worthwhile conversations.
As a child of God, love God more than anyone else in your relationship (Matthew 10:37). He/she must go in to courtship with a fellow child of God (2 Corinthians 6:14-15)
"Can two walk together except they be agreed..Amos 3:3
Your partner must be a committed child of God. It's easier to pull down
Go in to it prayerfully because only God sees what you can not see/the future
"The thoughts I have for you are thoughts of good and not of evil, to give you an expected end" (Jeremiah 29:11)
• Keep praying together even in the courtship
• The time to confirm compatibility
• Talk/plan about everything e.g where to live, how many children to have, finances/budget
• Determines what the marriage will be like
Marriage:
It's God's idea, so it can only succeed when we run the race as God instructs in His manual, the Bible
Responsibilities
Man - love (Ephesians 5:25, 1 Peter 3:7)), rules in love, provision (1 Timothy 5:8), protection, leadership both physically and Spiritually(1 Corinthians 11:3), disciplinarian, raise the children in the fear of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4, Colossians 3:21) and praises his wife (Proverbs 31:28-29)
Woman - gives care, love (Titus 2:4), Nurses, a teacher, directs the affairs of the home(Proverbs 14:1, 1 Samuel 25:32-33)..not the marriage, a great support to the husband and the children (Genesis 2:18), counsellor. She is a crown of her husband (Proverbs 12:4).
Read Titus 2:4,5
*Fellowship regularly both in the Church and at home (Joshua 24:15; Job 1:4–5; Deuteronomy 6:5-7)
MANAGEMENT OF CRISIS IN MARRIAGE
1. Understand that happiness comes within
2. Unify your home. Talk over how you picture your home in your mind.
3. Never compare your relationship to one from the past, or your partner to a past partner
4. Arrange some together time. It should be just the two of you and no distractions (No TV, no company).
5. Actively reminisce about past times.
6. Settle differences without a third party
7. Express your point without abusing the person. Use words like "I am hurt when you do this"
8. Be ready to apologize sincerely especially when it is obvious that you are wrong, and even when you are not convinced
9. Learn to forgive and forget. Never refer to any past issues on which your partner apologized.
10. Recognize the place of prayer. Let God be involved in everything
Prayers for Families:
• Strength
• Provision
• Protection
CONCLUSION
Marriage was divinely established in Eden and affirmed by Jesus to be a lifelong union between a man and a woman in loving companionship. For the Christian a marriage commitment is to God as well as to the spouse, and should be entered into only between a man and a woman who share a common faith. Mutual love, honor, respect, and responsibility are the fabric of this relationship, which is to reflect the love, sanctity, closeness, and permanence of the relationship between Christ and His church.
Although some family relationships may fall short of the ideal, a man and a woman who fully commit themselves to each other in Christ through marriage may achieve loving unity through the guidance of the Spirit and the nurture of the church. God blesses the family and intends that its members shall assist each other toward complete maturity. Increasing family closeness is one of the earmarks of the final gospel message. Parents are to bring up their children to love and obey the Lord. By their example and their words they are to teach them that Christ is a loving, tender, and caring guide who wants them to become members of His body, the family of God which embraces both single and married persons.Fundamental Beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists, #23, Marriage and the Family. July 6, 2015, General Conference Session (GCC 15-1046)