Marriage 101: God’s Design for Marriage – March 30, 2025

God is the Designer of Marriage

• What was His design?
• Are we willing to pray, “Your will be done”?

God’s Plan and Research

Three groups of people:

• Christian Couples who attend church together
• Couples who say they are Christians, but not part of a church
• Couples who are not Christian

Who is doing the best?

• Christian Couples who attend Church

The First Couple – Adam and Eve

Genesis 2:18 (NIV)

The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”

• “Helper” – Match his distinctiveness
• “Helper” – Another name for God

Genesis 2:23 (ESV)

23 Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.”

Healthy couples provide relief to each other

• Serve each other
• Committed to the well-being of each other
• Advocate for the needs of your spouse
• Including emotional needs

Relational and Emotional Needs

• Bid for Connection

Becoming One Flesh

Genesis 2:24 (NIV)

24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. 

• One flesh – sexuality/same team/exclusivity/trust
• Ask yourself – will my action help or hinder trust in the marriage

The Impact of Sin on Marriage

• Sin entered the world through Adam and Eve. One of the consequences for sin entering the world is that there would be power and control issues in the marriage. (See Genesis 3:16)

How can this happen in the marriage?

• Blame
• Lack of reassurance/kindness of words – Quick to criticize
• Expecting your spouse to “make you happy”
• Avoiding areas that need attention

God is the Source of Hope

• He gives hope, extends grace, and brings healing.