Start the Conversation:
The Connecting Point:
There are many onramps into this conversation. From headline news revealing the adulterous infidelity of public officials, to the treatment of marriage by Hollywood, to the ways in which marriage is degraded by redefinition and so-called no-fault divorce.
Marriage is seen by many as unnecessary. The number of people cohabitating without any plans for marriage is now at an all-time high for young adults age 18-34. But it is also at an all-time high for older Americans who are living together out of wedlock after getting divorces in their 50’s.
Finally, there are the latest challenges to marriage of same-sex marriage, polygamy and open marriage. Suffice it to say that marriage is no longer held in honor at all.
The Disconnect:
While tearing down traditional marriage as limiting, the sexually and self-obsessed culture has, at the same time, set marriage up as an idol. In a marriage after its own making, the secularists imagine they will find the fulfillment of short-term fantasies fueled by an appetite for fairy-tale romance. Lavish, gift-laden events and extravagant destination weddings are in high demand while marriage itself lies in low esteem.
The Reconnect:
God reveals He gave us marriage as a picture of the relationship between Christ, the Bridegroom, and His Bride, the Church (Ephesians 5:22-33). Marriage is not something that God saw us doing and thought, “Hey, that’s a good idea! I’ll use that as an analogy they’ll understand by experience.” Quite the other way around! Holy, sanctified marriage is the eternal reality of Christ and the Church. We see references to this reality throughout the Scriptures and it’s the vision of the consummation in Revelation 19:6-9. Marriage is God’s eternal design and monogamous fidelity in marriage here and now is intended to be a foretaste of that mystery.
Keep the Conversation Going
Questions:
What do you think is the purpose of marriage?
How can marriage be held in honor among family and friends?
Communicate:
When we realize God’s beautiful intention for marriage, we desire, proclaim and pursue the redemption of marriage from its current state of brokenness in our culture.
Apply:
In contrast to the trends of the day, we have an opportunity to bear witness to the goodness of God by making marriage a visible and beautiful testimony in a culture that often dishonors it.
