Argument for Biblical Marriage

There are values that help relationships last and grow; things like love, respect, and trust.  However, in order for individuals to be able to be express these qualities in a relationship, a person must possess these values.  Where do people acquire these core values?  Personally, I grew up in a family that lacked in these core values. Needless to say, the relationship was not very healthy, loving, or trusting.  My family didn’t go to church or have special prayer time.  We didn’t have family gatherings or communicate very well.  I had to learn these things on my own and have found that most successful relationships are developed through fellowship in church.

In college, I was luckily introduced to a college bible study group called Shepard’s Church, which held regular bible study sessions and revival.  The meetings were held in a large garage in the back of the pastor’s home.  The pastor’s wife played the piano and led us in religious song.  We started each one of our meetings with a meal. Each member took turns preparing the meal. The pastor was kind enough to reimbursed us for the cost of buying the food from his donations.  Each week we were assigned a few select verses in the bible to study, meditate, and pray on.  People who chose to share what the verses meant were welcome to explain their interpretation in front of the congregation.  After the speeches were presented, we ended our meetings in prayer. 

I learned a lot from studying the bible during those meetings.  Many lessons were based on how to treat our fellow man by “loving thy neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31) The way people treat each other should be based on love and respect, but often times, for whatever reason people hold resentments and unforgiveness towards people.  This type of unforgiveness can turn into bitterness, hatred, and rage.  If left unaddressed, many relationships become unhealthy and toxic; often times resulting in physical and or emotion abuse.  We have all heard of the stories on the news of people hurting each other in an abusive relationship.  There are many dynamics involved and some can be resolved easily if the main foundations were instilled in the Individual.

The bible also mentions how a man is to love his wife and how a wife is to love her husband.  Ephesians 5:8 states, “Husbands love your wives, just as Christ loved the church.”  Ephesians 5:22 states that “wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.”  These biblical lessons teach people how to act and have a loving, Christian based relationship.  I have seen though Shepard’s Church Meetings, over time, many of the congregation members fell in love and got married.  I am a witness that the biblically based marriage works because these individuals are still married and still attend church faithfully studying God’s Word together.

I have been on a personal quest for most of my life to have some type of closure and resolution to the failing relationships and my life.  Through the Church and Education I have found some techniques that can increase the chances of a marriage lasting.  I would like to continue my education at the University of Redlands MA Program to help as many individuals I can find the help they need in their relationships.