Hope to Marry - Waynesboro Otterbein Church
Hope to Marry - Waynesboro Otterbein Church
Hope to Marry - Waynesboro Otterbein Church
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<strong>Hope</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>Marry</strong>becoming intentional
<strong>Hope</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>Marry</strong>becoming intentionalFrom Craig Schuler, Pas<strong>to</strong>r of Next Generation and Faith at Home Ministrieswith Kurt Bruner, The Center for Strong FamiliesMost of us are called <strong>to</strong> marriage. It’s the natural design for fulfilling our drivefor companionship and sexuality. If you aren’t called <strong>to</strong> celibate service (see 1Corinthians 7) then a significant priority for this season of your life is preparingfor and moving <strong>to</strong>ward a Biblical marriage. An intentional path <strong>to</strong> findinga mate recognizes that God is at work. But we also have a responsibility <strong>to</strong> befaithful in our part of the process. So how does a person who hopes <strong>to</strong> marrybecome intentional?Seek direction within Christian communityWe live in a day of hyper individualism where people feel very little sense ofobligation <strong>to</strong> others. God calls us, however, <strong>to</strong> vibrant community within ourfamilies and within the body of Christ. That community is the source for muchof our growth as Christians and is one of the best means for meeting a potentialspouse and receiving guidance and support <strong>to</strong>ward marriage. Even in aday of online dating, marriage experts still consider matches made by friends,family and churches <strong>to</strong> be among the best.Move beyond recreational relationshipsOne of the clearest messages for singles in the Bible is the call <strong>to</strong> sexual purity(1 Corinthians 6:13-18, Ephesians 5:3 and Colossians 3:5). That’s proving <strong>to</strong>be a difficult challenge in a day when almost 9 out of 10 unmarried 18 <strong>to</strong>29-year-olds are having sex. Sexual purity, however, is the primary means forintentionally moving <strong>to</strong>ward marriage in a recreational relationship culture.Couples who stay sexually pure not only honor God but they avoid much ofthe confusion that plagues many of <strong>to</strong>day’s relationships and can push goodmarriages out of reach.
GOING FURTHER – ResourcesA Guy’s/Girl’s Guide <strong>to</strong> <strong>Marry</strong>ing Well – Boundless.org has put <strong>to</strong>gethertwo short, practical guides, one for men and one for women, <strong>to</strong> help thembecome proactive about whether, how and who <strong>to</strong> marry. (Available as a freedownload at either www.boundless.org/guys or www.boundless.org/girls.)Get Married: What Women Can Do <strong>to</strong> Help it Happen by Candice Wattersmakes the case that a biblical marriage is an honorable pursuit, one thatwomen can help nurture along. Her book helps women see how they can “livelike they are planning <strong>to</strong> marry.”<strong>Marry</strong>Well.org is a relationship service that goes way beyond a compatibilitylist by providing coaching resources for those serious about pursuing a Christianmarriage.Boundless.org webzine offers young adults encouragement <strong>to</strong> live abundantlyas singles while seeking God’s best in either celibate service or marriage.GOING FURTHER – <strong>Otterbein</strong> SupportOC Young Adult Connect (OCYAC) – Designed <strong>to</strong> help 18 <strong>to</strong> 30-year-olds inthe <strong>Waynesboro</strong>/Hagers<strong>to</strong>wn area connect with one another and take thenext step in their spiritual journey. See www.facebook.com/ocyac for moreinformation.801 Park St. • 912 S. Po<strong>to</strong>mac St.<strong>Waynesboro</strong>, PA 17268 • 717.762.7147service times: Sundays 8, 9:20 & 10:45 a.m.