Too many families put too much emphasis on materialistic goals. The most important goal our relationship should seek to accomplish is to serve God and to help one another receive eternal life. Too often families become so involved in pursuing other less important goals that they neglect responsibilities to God. In order to have proper home lives, service to God must be our main focal point. Do not marry someone who does not view serving God as their main goal in life (Mat.6:33).

The Importance of Worshiping God and Studying His Word in our relationship:

1. We should worship God together.

See Genesis 2:18-24 - Man and woman should be companions for one another. If serving God is our most important goal in life, then worship is one important area which we should share. Young couples, from the very beginning of their relationship, should determine to attend every meeting of the local church and take advantage of other opportunities to worship. If someone is not interested in worshiping God with you, what are the chances that you can work with that person to help one another serve God? If you want a good marriage and a good home, you must worship God regularly together.

2. To be guided by God's word, we must study it together.

See Deuteronomy 6:6-9 - We should keep God's words in our hearts, teaching them diligently to our children, talking of them continually. Young couples should begin this practice from beginning of their relationship. Suggest spiritual topics and study them together. This helps you understand one another's beliefs, develops your Bible knowledge, and establishes a spiritual foundation for your relationship. If someone is not comfortable or not interested in studying the Bible with you, what are the chances he/she will work with you to achieve the ultimate goal of serving God and going to heaven? If you want a good marriage and a good home, you must learn to discuss God's word.

3. In particular, we need to pray together and pray for one another.

See James 5:16 - Praying together is one of the most important things Christians can do to help one another be saved. But remember, helping one another be saved is the main goal of marriage. Again, I urge young couples to begin this practice from the very early days of your relationship. If someone is not comfortable praying with you or does not think prayer is important, will he/she make a good marriage companion? Every Christian who wants a good marriage should never let a day go by that you don't pray to God for your spouse, your children, and yourself that all of you will serve God faithfully in your home. If you want a good marriage and a good home, you must pray to God regularly.


Then, A Christian should marry a faithful Christian for all the following reasons:

• A faithful Christian will help, not hinder, your worship to God.

When both companions are Christians, they commune together in song, prayer, the Lord's Supper, etc. They will agree about the need to give generously to support the church. But if you do not marry a Christian, your spouse may not attend with you. Worse yet, he or she may attend a false religious group. He may actively oppose your attendance with the Lord's church. He may resent and oppose giving money to church.

• A faithful Christian will pray with you, not hinder your prayers.

If a young lady marries a young man who is not a Christian, who will lead family prayers before meals and other times when Christians would pray together?

• A faithful Christian will help, not hinder, your Bible study.

Christian couples should discuss and study Bible principles together and encourage one another with God's word. But a companion who is not a Christian may not be willing to study. If you initiate a spiritual discussion, the result may be argument and conflict.

• A faithful Christian will help, not hinder, your efforts to teach God's word.

Acts 18:26 - Like Aquila and Priscilla, Christian couples work together in this, inviting friends over to discuss religion and study the Bible. They can talk together and share ideas to improve their teaching.

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A Christian will help, not hinder, your efforts to achieve your most important goal: serving God and receiving eternal life.

You and your potential spouse need to thoroughly discuss all such concerns early in your relationship. If your companion promises he/she will change, give them plenty of time to prove they are willing to change before making any commitment about marriage. And give it long enough you are convinced the change for keeps. If your marriage is to be happy and successful, you will need to go through life working with another faithful Christian.

Written by: David E. Pratte