Groups Discussion Guide
Read Scripture. Go Deeper. Ask Questions. Take Action.
Pastor Justin Jenkins
What Everyone Should Know About Marriage
Scripture
Hebrews 13:4a
Marriage should be honored by everyone.
Main Idea
Marriage is often dismissed, demeaned, delayed, or dissolved in our culture. However, despite all this, it’s still desired. Fascination for marriage without biblical foundation will lead to frustration. That's why it’s important to understand marriage as the sacrament it is.
Marriage isn’t just a ceremony, it’s a sacrament.
Discussion Questions
- How can everyone honor marriage?
- What is God’s purpose for marriage?
- What are some ways that marriage can help people become more like Christ?
Summary
- Marriage isn’t just to make you happy, but to make you holy. Marriage is so much more than a feeling. In marriage, we make each other better through the grace that’s made available to us…even if one spouse isn’t a believer. “The unbelieving husband has been made holy through his wife. The unbelieving wife has been made holy through her believing husband.” (1 Corinthians 7:14 NIRV) When you pursue holiness, you will get happiness.
- Marriage isn’t just designed to be passionate, it’s designed to permanent. Passion is a good thing, but it’s important to remember that the terms of marriage are not “as long as you both shall love” but “as long as you both shall live.” In Jesus’s time, divorce was a hot cultural topic, with debate surrounding the meaning of Deuteronomy4:21. The Pharisees asked Jesus if it was lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason. Jesus’s response in Matthew 19:4-6 (NKJV) raised the bar by pointing back to the original intent—that two people become one when they’re married and should not be separated. Moses permitted it, but that’s not how God planned it. (See Matthew 19:8 (NKJV)) If you’ve been dealt the pain of divorce, just know that you can still have the grace and hope that marriage offers.
- Marriage isn’t just biological, it’s theological. One way to look at this is that God’s purpose in marriage is procreation. This goes deeper than that, though. It’s a picture of the Trinity. Malachi 2:15 (MSG) shows that God made marriage, and His purpose in marriage is to create not just kids, but children of God—this includes the people within the marriage as well. When you get married before God, you’re inviting God into your life to work His purpose in you.
- Marriage isn’t just a commitment, it’s a covenant. There are many ways to show you’re committed to someone, but two people who have entered the covenant of marriage have a divine enablement to do what they can’t do on their own. “Covenant” is a bible word where there is a ceremony, an exchange of words, and a death. In a marriage covenant, there is a death to self. (Ephesians 5:25 NIT) When we say, “I do”, we’re also saying “I die” to selfishness.
- Marriage isn’t just monogamous, it’s miraculous. Look at the rest of our key verse: "And every marriage should be kept pure between husband and wife. God will judge guilty those who commit sexual sins and adultery." (Hebrews 13:4 ERV) This verse can bring up feelings of regret or restriction. Jesus’s first blessing was at a wedding—where a couple felt shame and shortage, and Jesus responded by showcasing His glory. Invite Jesus in and receive His grace.
Take Action
- What is one thing you can do to ensure you're viewing marriage as a sacrament and not just a ceremony?
Announcements
Groups start soon! Sign up today by visiting our website.
