Issues of Relationships - Marriage

What is marriage?

Marriage is a sacrament when two people make life long commitments to each other and are legally united. People get married to show their love and commitment to each other, and in more traditional views, to have sex and to start a family.

Christian attitudes towards marraige

Some Christians believe marraige was a gift given to humanity by God and the vows exchanged between a bride and groom reflect this. In the Gosples, Jesus teaches about the importance of marriage, and the idea that God made man and woman in the Genesis. Jesus implies the relationship becomes the most important human relationship for the married couple:

"But at the beginning of creation God "made them male and female". "For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh". So they are no longer two but one flesh"- (Mark 10:6-8)

"What God has joined together, let no man put asunder" means marriage should be a life long union.

Christian wedding ceremony

Hymns: Reminds the couple of the importance of marraige, celebratory, reminder of God's presence

Prayers: Thanks God, blesses the couple 

Exchanging the rings: Acts as a reminder of then vows made, seals the promise made in the vows, the circle symbolises eternity

Purpose of marraige: Reminder of the commitment and responsibility about to be made, family and friends are asked to support them, shows the seriousness of the marraige

Bible readings: Christian beliefs about marriage…