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What Does the Bible Say About Singleness and Marriage?Enjoy Life Forever!—An Interactive Bible Course
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3. How does Jehovah view marriage?
When Jehovah performed the first marriage, he said: “A man will leave his father and his mother and he will stick to his wife.” (Genesis 2:24) Jehovah wants a husband and wife to love and stick to each other for as long as they are alive. He allows divorce only when a mate is guilty of adultery. In such a case, Jehovah gives the innocent mate the right to decide whether he or she will get a divorce.a (Matthew 19:9) Jehovah does not approve of polygamy among Christians.—1 Timothy 3:2.
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What Does the Bible Say About Singleness and Marriage?Enjoy Life Forever!—An Interactive Bible Course
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Did you know?
The Bible does not give a minimum age for marriage. However, it encourages a person to wait until he is “past the bloom of youth,” a time when strong sexual feelings can distort a young person’s judgment.—1 Corinthians 7:36.
5. Choose your mate wisely
Choosing your mate is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. Read Matthew 19:4-6, 9, and then discuss this question:
Why should a Christian not rush into marriage?
The Bible can help you know what to look for in a marriage mate. Above all, look for a marriage mate who loves Jehovah.b Read 1 Corinthians 7:39 and 2 Corinthians 6:14. Then discuss these questions:
Why should we marry only a fellow Christian?
How do you think Jehovah would feel about our marrying someone who does not love Him?
If two animals that are very different are yoked together, they will suffer. Likewise, a Christian who marries an unbeliever will have many problems
6. View marriage as Jehovah does
In ancient Israel, some men divorced their wives for selfish reasons. Read Malachi 2:13, 14, 16, and then discuss this question:
Why does Jehovah hate an unjust divorce?
Adultery and divorce hurt the innocent mate and the children
Play the VIDEO, and then discuss the question that follows.
If you are married to an unbeliever, what can you do to make your marriage successful?
7. Apply Jehovah’s standards for marriage
A person may need to make great efforts to apply Jehovah’s standards for marriage.c But Jehovah blesses those who do. Play the VIDEO.
Read Hebrews 13:4, and then discuss these questions:
Do you think that Jehovah’s standards for marriage are reasonable? Why, or why not?
Jehovah expects Christians to register their marriages and divorces, as in most countries these are governed by civil authorities. Read Titus 3:1, and then discuss this question:
If you are married, are you sure that your marriage is legally recognized by the government?
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