Marriage

Marriage is a life-long union between a man and a woman.  We gain insight about what Jesus believed God wanted for married people in His teaching in Matthew 19:1-12.  In His response to the Pharisees, Jesus makes it clear that God's intention is to maintain unity because a man and a woman in God become one flesh.  Matthew quotes Genesis 2:24 where it is written that a man shall leave his family and will be married and the two will become one flesh, making it clear that marriage is about the work of God in human flesh to make two separate people one in Him.

This is impossible without love, so let's look at love a little more closely.  One kind of love that people experience and is commonly found in families and among friends is "friendship" love.  Another kind of love is "romantic" love which is usually an infatuation finding expression and, if it doesn't mature, will simply dry up.  However, the kind of marriage love that God reveals in Genesis and that will form the basis of a marriage is "sacrificial" love -- the "do everything you possibly can to serve your partner" kind of love which grows very slowly and over time.  This kind of love is God's gift and blessing.

Paul spells out some guidelines to assist couples in living out God's intention for them, and places the matrimonial relationship in the context of submission to God (Ephesians 5:22-33).  The nature of this submission is absolute as the couple promises and disciplines themselves to live out a faithful life of witness to God's love through Christ.  Marriages are a sacramental witness of the relationship that Jesus has with the church.

Now for some straight talk:

  • Be prepared for God to open your eyes to the wonder of His ways.
  • Be prepared to remain sexually celeibate during your preparation so that God can use your desire for one another to increase your desire for Him.

Living Faith is dedicated to the sacrament of Christian marriage; therefore, everything we do is designed to assist the couple in receiving the full blessing of a fruitful life in Christ.  Listed below are the requirements for marriage:

  • It is necessary to ensure that both parties are able to consciously and legally enter into this union according to the laws of the State of Arizona.
  • The couple must agree to prepare for Christian marriage; the preparation will include a series of up to 6 sessions with a trained counselor and the pastor covering such topics as: the Bible, personal spirituality, couple communication, conflict resolution, and personality temperament, among others.
  • The couple will begin to enter into the life of the church community through worship and small group life.  Discipleship training will also be made available.
  • Marriage preparations (pre-marital instruction and coordination of wedding plans) require a minimum of 6 months notice.

We believe that God's blessing is upon the faithful and we expect that this kind of preparation and intention will allow all who prepare for marriage here to stand in the center of the stream of His Grace.