Study Guide: The Pursuit of Marriage

Part 1: Don’t Rush It

Key Takeaways:

• Build a solid foundation of spiritual maturity before you go after marriage.
• Use discernment when you think about a possible partner.
• Don’t rush into relationships that bring suffering and conflict you never needed.
  

Bible Verses to Study:

• James 1:2-4
• 1 Corinthians 7:8-9
• 1 Peter 5:6-7
  

Application Questions:

1. How can you actively develop your spiritual maturity before pursuing marriage?
2. What are some warning signs to watch for when considering a potential partner?
3. How can you grow in patience and discernment in your pursuit of a relationship?
   

Part 2: Real Heart Connection

Key Takeaways:

• Build a real emotional connection with a possible partner, but stay in control of your emotions.
• Don’t arouse or awaken love until the right time.
• Practice self-control and seek God before you let strong feelings or love take over.
  

Bible Verses to Study:

• Song of Solomon 2:7
• Proverbs 4:23
• 1 Corinthians 7:32-35
  

Application Questions:

1. How can you grow in self-control over your emotions when developing connections with potential partners?
2. What are some practical steps you can take to seek God’s guidance in your pursuit of love?
3. How can you create boundaries and set appropriate timing in your emotional involvement with a potential partner?
   

Part 3: Practical Wisdom

Key Takeaways:

• When you choose a life partner, weigh practical things right alongside your feelings.
• Relationships are built and kept strong with wisdom, understanding and knowledge.
• Ruth shows us how to use practical wisdom when making decisions.
  

Bible Verses to Study:

• Proverbs 24:3-4
• Ruth 3:1-6
• Proverbs 3:5-6
  

Application Questions:

1. What practical qualities do you think are important to consider when choosing a life partner?
2. How can you grow in wisdom, understanding, and knowledge in your own life and relationships?
3. What lessons can you learn from the story of Ruth and apply to your own pursuit of a godly relationship?
   

Part 4: Lining Up Your Callings: More Than Just a Job

Key Takeaways:

• Before marriage, see how your work, your callings and your life goals fit together.
• Pray, listen to the Holy Spirit and ask your faith community for counsel.
• Picture how your work choices will affect your future family and how your kids grow up.
  

Bible Verses to Study:

• Proverbs 16:9
• 1 Corinthians 7:17-24
• Ephesians 5:15-17
  

Application Questions:

1. How can you align your professional aspirations with your divine calling and life goals?
2. In what ways can you seek guidance from God, prayer, and the faith community in making career-related decisions?
3. How can you envision and plan for the impact of your professional choices on your future family life and the upbringing of your children?
   

Part 5: Core Values: Your Moral Compass

Key Takeaways:

• Make sure you and a possible partner share core values, so you’re not pulling in different moral directions.
• Know each other’s values about family, kids, money and health.
• Your closest relationships shape your character, so shared values matter.
  

Bible Verses to Study:

• 1 Corinthians 15:33
• Amos 3:3
• Proverbs 22:6
  

Application Questions:

1. How can you ensure shared core values with a potential partner in your pursuit of marriage?
2. What are some important values to discuss and understand in relation to family, children, financial stewardship, and health?
3. How can you build shared values and maintain a strong moral compass in your relationship?
   

Part 6: Even Our View of Children Matters

Key Takeaways:

• Make sure you and a possible partner agree on how to raise kids.
• What parents value shapes their kids’ faith and how they grow.
• Kids are a blessing. Make raising them with biblical values a priority.
  

Bible Verses to Study:

• Psalm 127:3-5
• Proverbs 22:6
• Ephesians 6:4
  

Application Questions:

1. How can you ensure alignment of values related to raising children with a potential partner?
2. What are some practical ways to prioritize children’s faith and development in a future marriage?
3. How can you embrace children as blessings and build a family environment that promotes biblical values?
   

Part 7: Adam’s Redeemed Leadership

Key Takeaways:

• Step up, lead and take responsibility in your relationships.
• Seek God and bring your Kingdom Family into your relationship decisions and plans.
• Wait for God’s timing and line up what you do with His will.
  

Bible Verses to Study:

• Genesis 3:11-12
• Proverbs 11:10
• Habakkuk 2:2-3
  

Application Questions:

1. How can you take a proactive leadership role in your relationships and take responsibility for their direction?
2. In what ways can you seek guidance from God and involve the Kingdom Family in your relationship decisions and planning?
3. How can you grow in patience and stay in step with God’s timing in your pursuit of a godly relationship?
   

As you study, think about how all this applies to your own life and relationships. Pray for wisdom as you pursue marriage. Build a strong foundation and honor God every step of the way.