Lesson 42
What Does the Bible Say About Singleness and Marriage?
In some cultures, people believe that a person cannot be happy unless he or she gets married. Yet, not all married people are happy and not all single people are unhappy. The truth is that the Bible refers to both singleness and marriage as gifts.
1. What are some benefits of being single?
The Bible says: “Whoever marries does well, but whoever does not marry will do better.”
Read 1 Corinthians 7.32, 33: Indeed, I want you to be free from anxiety. The unmarried man is anxious for the things of the Lord, how he may gain the Lord’s approval. But the married man is anxious for the things of the world, how he may gain the approval of his wife,
Read 1 Corinthians 7.38: So also, whoever marries does well, but whoever does not marry will do better.
In what ways can a single person “do better”? Single Christians do not have to look after the needs of a mate. Thus, they generally have more freedom. For example, some are able to expand their ministry in interesting ways, such as by traveling to another land to preach the good news. Above all, they can spend more time drawing close to Jehovah.
2. What are some benefits of being legally married?
Marriage, like singleness, brings unique benefits. The Bible says that “two are better than one.”
This is especially true of Christians who apply Bible principles in their marriage. Couples who legally marry make a commitment to love, respect, and cherish each other. As a result, they often feel more secure than do couples who simply live together. And marriage provides a secure foundation for raising a family.
3. How does Jehovah view marriage?
When Jehovah performed the first marriage, he said: “A man will leave his father and his mother and he will stick to his wife.”
Jehovah wants a husband and wife to love and stick to each other for as long as they are alive. He allows divorce only when a mate is guilty of adultery. In such a case, Jehovah gives the innocent mate the right to decide whether he or she will get a divorce.
Jehovah does not approve of polygamy among Christians.
DIG DEEPER
Learn how you can be happy—and make Jehovah happy—whether you are single or married.
4. Make good use of the gift of singleness
Jesus viewed singleness as a gift.
Read Matthew 4.23: Then he went throughout the whole of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the good news of the Kingdom and curing every sort of disease and every sort of infirmity among the people.
Discuss this question:
How did Jesus use the gift of singleness to serve his Father and to help others?
Christians can enjoy using their singleness as Jesus did. Play the VIDEO, and then discuss the question that follows.
AD))) Video Title: Faithful Single Ones (with Audio Description and Transcript) (Duration: 3:11).
In what rewarding ways can Christians use their singleness?
Did you know?
The Bible does not give a minimum age for marriage. However, it encourages a person to wait until he is “past the bloom of youth,” a time when strong sexual feelings can distort a young person’s judgment.
5. Choose your mate wisely
Choosing your mate is one of the most important decisions you will ever make.
Read Matthew 19.4-6: In reply he said: “Have you not read that the one who created them from the beginning made them male and female and said: ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and his mother and will stick to his wife, and the two will be one flesh’? So that they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has yoked together, let no man put apart.”
Read Matthew 19.9: I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except on the grounds of sexual immorality, and marries another commits adultery.”
Discuss this question:
Why should a Christian not rush into marriage?
The Bible can help you know what to look for in a marriage mate. Above all, look for a marriage mate who loves Jehovah.
Read 1 Corinthians 7.39: A wife is bound as long as her husband is alive. But if her husband should fall asleep in death, she is free to be married to whomever she wants, only in the Lord.
Read 2 Corinthians 6.14: Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers. For what fellowship do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what sharing does light have with darkness?
Then discuss these questions:
Why should we marry only a fellow Christian?
How do you think Jehovah would feel about our marrying someone who does not love Him?
6. View marriage as Jehovah does
In ancient Israel, some men divorced their wives for selfish reasons.
Read Malachi 2.13, 14: “And there is another thing that you do, which results in covering the altar of Jehovah with tears and with weeping and sighing, so that he no longer pays attention to your gift offering or looks favorably on anything from your hand. And you say, ‘For what reason?’ It is because Jehovah has acted as a witness between you and the wife of your youth, with whom you have dealt treacherously, although she is your partner and your wife by covenant.
Read Malachi 2.16: For I hate divorce,” says Jehovah the God of Israel, “and the one who covers his garment with violence,” says Jehovah of armies. “And guard yourselves respecting your spirit, and you must not deal treacherously.
Discuss this question:
Why does Jehovah hate an unjust divorce?
Play the VIDEO, and then discuss the question that follows.
AD))) Video Title: Marriage—A Permanent Bond (with Audio Description and Transcript) (Duration: 4:30).
If you are married to an unbeliever, what can you do to make your marriage successful?
7. Apply Jehovah’s standards for marriage
A person may need to make great efforts to apply Jehovah’s standards for marriage. But Jehovah blesses those who do.
Play the VIDEO.
AD))) Video Title: You Can Meet Jehovah’s Standards for Marriage (with Audio Description and Transcript) (Duration: 4:14).
Read Hebrews 13.4: Let marriage be honorable among all, and let the marriage bed be without defilement, for God will judge sexually immoral people and adulterers.
Discuss these questions:
Do you think that Jehovah’s standards for marriage are reasonable? Why, or why not?
Jehovah expects Christians to register their marriages and divorces, as in most countries these are governed by civil authorities.
Read Titus 3.1: Continue reminding them to be in subjection and to be obedient to governments and authorities, to be ready for every good work,
Discuss this question:
If you are married, are you sure that your marriage is legally recognized by the government?
SOMEONE MAY ASK: “Why get married? Can’t a couple just live together?”
How would you answer?
SUMMARY
Singleness and marriage are gifts from Jehovah. Either can bring joy and satisfaction if enjoyed in harmony with Jehovah’s will.
Review
How can a person make good use of his or her singleness?
Why does the Bible say to marry only a fellow Christian?
What is the only Scriptural basis for divorce?
Lesson completed on:
Goal
If your marriage is not legally recognized by the government, find out what you need to do to make it legal.
Other: Memorizing Bible scriptures is vital for blind individuals to defend the truth using the Bible, build faith, provide comfort during difficult times, and keep God’s principles firm in heart and mind.
From lesson 42, memorize Matthew 19:9: I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except on the grounds of sexual immorality, and marries another commits adultery.”
EXPLORE
1. What does marrying “only in the Lord” mean?
“Questions From Readers” (The Watchtower, July 1, 2004) Open explore 1 in new page
2. Watch two dramatizations that can help you make good decisions about dating and marriage.
Preparing for Marriage (11:53) Open explore 2 in new page
3. Learn why one brother feels that what Jehovah has given him is much more valuable than anything he gave up.
I Was Hoping That She Would Learn the Truth (1:56) Open explore 3 in new page
4. What are some things that a person should consider before contemplating divorce or separation?
“Honor ‘What God Has Yoked Together’” (The Watchtower, December 2018) Open explore 4 in new page
[End of lesson 42.]