Page 155 - Advanced Biblical Counseling Student Textbook

Study Section 19: Getting Ready for Marriage

19.1 Connect

Dr. Lara Friedrich said is quoted as having said, “We’re realizing that the brain doesn’t fully
develop until people are around 25, which is very different from how people used to think
about adulthood, which was 18 or college age.” 233 Many young adults meet in college or just
after high school and “fall in love.” They decide to get married. Most, having never taken a
course on “marriage” in college, are ill equipped to handle the pressures of married life.
Those that are least ready for marriage sometimes dive in foolishly without proper preparation.

The divorce rate around the world varies, depending on the country. Luxembourg has the highest at
87%. Spain is second at 65%. Russia and the US. Average close to 50%. Many of the European nations
have equally high divorce rates. Divorce rates by religions are surprising. Christians (those who claim to
be) have a divorce rate of 37%, Buddhist 30%, Jewish 28%, Islamic 20% and Hindu 1%. 234

It’s a sad situation that when a couple enters marriage, they have an almost 50% chance they will not
keep their vows to be faithful “until death do us part.” Is there something we as counselors can do to
lower these percentages for those we talk with? This section is designed to help you couples PRE-THINK
the issues that they may encounter in the near future so that they have a plan to overcome them.

19.2 Objectives

1. Students should be able to explain what characterizes a happy marriage.

2. Students should be able to summarize four aspects of a marriage commitment.

3. Students should be able to list major questions to numerous aspects of marriage to help prepare a
couple for marriage.

19.3 Marriage around the Corner

God designed marriage. His plan is that ONE man and ONE woman unite in an unconditional
vow to live together, support and love one another, and become one in every way until death
takes one or the other. His plan is that they may be fruitful and produce young children who
will grow to love the Lord with a whole heart. God desires to be in the center of the
relationship and to bring unity and peace to the family in a world of turmoil.

233 https://www.theknot.com/content/average-age-of-
marriage#:~:text=The%202020%20Average%20Age%20of%20Marriage,-
In%202020%2C%20the&text=The%20average%20age%20of%20marriage%20in%20the%20US%20therefore%20fall
s,by%20a%20variety%20of%20factors.
234 https://www.unifiedlawyers.com.au/blog/global-divorce-rates-statistics/

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