8 Reasons “Real Marriage” is for Singles

Posted by on Feb 20, 2012 | Comments Off

TOTALLY reposting this from Mars Hill Church (the church that produced the book we’re distributing to The Bridge), but it was so good I wanted to share it here. For those of you who are single and hearing that we’re focusing on the Real Marriage content over the next weeks, you may be thinking, “The misery of it all! Another reminder that I’m single.” You may be tempted to check out for a while or not pay attention, but that would be a mistake, as Real Marriage will be important for you.

Here are eight reasons why Real Marriage is for singles…

1. Real Marriage Is about Biblical Relationships in General

Because a marriage is based in friendship, the principles we share in Real Marriage are principles that apply to all friendships. The week (and chapter) on friendship in marriage will also help you be a better friend and build deeper friendships.

 

2. You’ll Probably Be Married One Day

Statistically, 9 out of 10 people will get married. So, Real Marriage will be great preparation for you for that day. Take it from a guy who found many of the land mines by driving over them—a little teaching up front goes a long way.


3. Real Marriage Will Help You to Counsel Others

Some of your friends are probably dating, thinking of getting married, engaged, and/or married. Just because you’re single, doesn’t mean you don’t have wisdom to share with those friends regarding relationships. Paul and Jesus were single, but they still talked and taught on marriage. Real Marriage will help equip you to give good counsel to friends regarding their relationships.

4. You Will Understand Your Family Better

The relationship our parents had impacts us in ways we often don’t understand or see. The material shared in Real Marriage will help you to objectively look back at your parents’ marriage and evaluate what kind of relationship they had, what kind of legacy they modeled for you, and how their marriage may have affected the way you look at and approach relationships in your own life.


5. You Can Investigate Your Idols of Independence and Dependence

Some of you are single and you have idols of independence. You say, “I don’t want to get married. I don’t want to be tied down. I want to come and go as a please. I want to do my own thing. I like being independent.”

Some of you are single and have idols of dependence. You say, “I can’t be alone. I have to have a date. I always need to be in a relationship. I’m terrified of being alone.”

Jesus says, “I’ll never leave you or forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). You are not alone. And Jesus is God, and your whole life is put together by him. So, you’re not independent either.

Real Marriage will help you examine the twin idols of independence and dependence in you life.


6. Real Marriage Will Help You Deal with Sexual Sin

Throughout the Real Marriage content, we deal a lot with sex, sexual sin, and sexual abuse. With a high percentage of singles in the country and growing percentage in The Bridge, some of you have done things that you regret and you don’t know how to experience healing and hope.

Others of you have had sin committed against you sexually and you need help. The Real Marriage material provides much hope and guidance in this area, as Grace Driscoll shares (in the book) her experience as a sexual assault victim and the healing she found in Jesus. Statistically, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men admit to being sexual assault victims. We want to help.

 

7. Learn How to Live a Full Life As a Single Person

We worship a single guy named Jesus. He never married, but he did live a full and perfect life—the best life ever lived—as God incarnate. We want you to see through Jesus that being single is not some form of second-class citizenship. Rather, we want you to understand that your singleness gives you a great opportunity to minister well, serve the church, honor and glorify God, and to, if you so desire, prepare well for marriage.


8. You May Find a Spouse

If you attend The Bridge, this might be a good time to find a spouse if you’re looking for one! We’re talking about marriage, we want single people to come to hear it, and theoretically, you could meet someone.

We’re praying that as this practical and Bible-based teaching on marriage is shared that many lives and marriages are changed. We’re also praying that for our single friends, that this material would be effective as well. We have you at the forefront of our hearts and minds as we begin this exciting series.

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