Being the Body of Christ:Marriage & Relationships:
Being the Body of Christ: Marriage andamp; Relationships Reading: Malachi 2: 13-16; I Cor. 7:29-40
The Dating Game:
The Dating Game Not 'How to’s'
Why do we date and get married?
1. Historical Overview:
1. Historical Overview Necessity for survival as hunter gatherers andamp; early farmers
Later Produce was still sold in basic raw state
Everyone in family had to pull their weight
Family / Marriage was essential to wellbeing
Today – marriage not key to economic producitivty
1. Historical Overview …:
1. Historical Overview … Industrial Revolution (c 1800), Two World Wars (c 1940)
Children andamp; childcare the only practical factor in family life
2. Context Today:
2. Context Today Last 2 weeks:
Life is meaningless andamp; empty
Measure of everything: 'Does it make me Happy'
Institutionalization vs Need for community
Relationships are about meeting emotional/relationtional needs
'Does it make me happy?'
3. God’s Intent for Marriage:
3. God’s Intent for Marriage God’s intent for our lives:
Micah 6:8 – do justly, love mercy, walk with God.
God’s intent for Marriage:
Procreation and care of Children (Gen 1:28; Mal 2:15)
Remedy for sexual temptation (1 Cor 7:2)
Mutual society, help andamp; comfort (Gen 2:18; Eph 5:22ff; 1 Pe 3:1ff)
3. God’s Intent for Marriage …:
3. God’s Intent for Marriage … Loss of survival imperatives
Meeting emotional relational needs – 'Does it make me happy'
How should I decide?
Does it make me HOLY?
Encourage andamp; nurture Transformation?
Conclusion:
Conclusion Marriage must:
Meet emotional relational needs
Meet spiritual needs through life in God
There is trauma and struggle in building of intimacy
G K Chesterton – 'God makes our next door neighbour'
Marie Antoinette stayed and died with her husband!
Slide10: