1. “As the recent results of the Year 2000 Census confirm, marriage as the basis of family life continues to decline in America. Since 1970 the rate of marriage has dropped by about one third, the out-of-wedlock birth ratio has climbed from 11% to 33% of all births, the divorce rate has doubled, and the number of people living together outside of marriage has grown by over 1000%.” (Marriage Decline in America, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Human Resources Committee on Ways and Means, United States House of Representatives, Washington, DC, May 22, 2001, David Popenoe, my emph, sw, http://marriage.rutgers.edu/Publications- /Print/Print%20Marriage%20Decline.htm)

2. “Divorce has become so common in Tennessee that almost two-thirds of all new marriages involve either a divorced bride or groom, and 38% of weddings are between two divorced persons, a new study shows.” ("Importance of Marriage Declines,” The Tennessean, June 6, 1999, via Donny V. Rader, Truth Magazine, 9/16/99)

3. Marriage & Divorce: (2002 except where noted) Total divorces granted in 1997: 1,163,000Total divorces granted in 1997: 1,163,000 Percentage of population that is married: 59% (down from 62% in 1990, 72% in 1970)Percentage of population that is married: 59% (down from 62% in 1990, 72% in 1970) Percentage of population that has never married: 24%Percentage of population that has never married: 24% Percentage of population that is divorced: 10% (up from 8% in 1990, 6% in 1980)Percentage of population that is divorced: 10% (up from 8% in 1990, 6% in 1980) Percentage of divorces due to economic problems in 1997: 4.2%Percentage of divorces due to economic problems in 1997: 4.2% Percentage of divorces due to irreconcilable differences in 1997: 80% (Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, National Center for Health Statistics, Americans for Divorce Reform, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Institute for Equality in Marriage, American Association for Single People, Ameristat, Public Agenda, http://www.divorcemag.com/statistics/stats US.shtml)Percentage of divorces due to irreconcilable differences in 1997: 80% (Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, National Center for Health Statistics, Americans for Divorce Reform, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Institute for Equality in Marriage, American Association for Single People, Ameristat, Public Agenda, http://www.divorcemag.com/statistics/stats US.shtml)U.S. Census BureauNational Center for Health StatisticsAmericans for Divorce ReformU.S. Census BureauNational Center for Health StatisticsAmericans for Divorce Reform

4. Marriage & Divorce: (2002 except where noted) Total divorces granted in 1997: 1,163,000Total divorces granted in 1997: 1,163,000 Percentage of population that is married: 59% (down from 62% in 1990, 72% in 1970)Percentage of population that is married: 59% (down from 62% in 1990, 72% in 1970) Percentage of population that has never married: 24%Percentage of population that has never married: 24% Percentage of population that is divorced: 10% (up from 8% in 1990, 6% in 1980)Percentage of population that is divorced: 10% (up from 8% in 1990, 6% in 1980) Percentage of divorces due to economic problems in 1997: 4.2%Percentage of divorces due to economic problems in 1997: 4.2% Percentage of divorces due to irreconcilable differences in 1997: 80% (Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, National Center for Health Statistics, Americans for Divorce Reform, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Institute for Equality in Marriage, American Association for Single People, Ameristat, Public Agenda, http://www.divorcemag.com/statistics/stats US.shtml)Percentage of divorces due to irreconcilable differences in 1997: 80% (Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, National Center for Health Statistics, Americans for Divorce Reform, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Institute for Equality in Marriage, American Association for Single People, Ameristat, Public Agenda, http://www.divorcemag.com/statistics/stats US.shtml)U.S. Census BureauNational Center for Health StatisticsAmericans for Divorce ReformU.S. Census BureauNational Center for Health StatisticsAmericans for Divorce Reform

5. Marriage & Divorce: (2002 except where noted) Total divorces granted in 1997: 1,163,000Total divorces granted in 1997: 1,163,000 Percentage of population that is married: 59% (down from 62% in 1990, 72% in 1970)Percentage of population that is married: 59% (down from 62% in 1990, 72% in 1970) Percentage of population that has never married: 24%Percentage of population that has never married: 24% Percentage of population that is divorced: 10% (up from 8% in 1990, 6% in 1980)Percentage of population that is divorced: 10% (up from 8% in 1990, 6% in 1980) Percentage of divorces due to economic problems in 1997: 4.2%Percentage of divorces due to economic problems in 1997: 4.2% Percentage of divorces due to irreconcilable differences in 1997: 80% (Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, National Center for Health Statistics, Americans for Divorce Reform, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Institute for Equality in Marriage, American Association for Single People, Ameristat, Public Agenda, http://www.divorcemag.com/statistics/stats US.shtml)Percentage of divorces due to irreconcilable differences in 1997: 80% (Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, National Center for Health Statistics, Americans for Divorce Reform, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Institute for Equality in Marriage, American Association for Single People, Ameristat, Public Agenda, http://www.divorcemag.com/statistics/stats US.shtml)U.S. Census BureauNational Center for Health StatisticsAmericans for Divorce ReformU.S. Census BureauNational Center for Health StatisticsAmericans for Divorce Reform “Nearly half of America's 2.4 million marriages each year involve remarriage of at least one of the partners, up from 31% in 1970 to 46% in 1990. (statistics via National Center of Health Statistics, via THE BEACON - Electronic Edition, 8/1/00

6. THE IMPORTANCE OF MARRIAGE

7. I. MARRIAGE WAS INSTITUTED BY GOD, Gen. 2:18- 24; Matt. 19:4-6; Eph. 5:31; Gen. 2:24; Rom. 7:2-3 II. THE PURPOSE OF MARRIAGE A. Loving companionship, Gen. 2:18 ‑ 24; Eph. 5:25; Titus A. Loving companionship, Gen. 2:18 ‑ 24; Eph. 5:25; Titus 2:4; Eph. 5:28-29 2:4; Eph. 5:28-29

8. Statistics show that married people live longer than do single people: “How does marriage affect healthy behaviors? It provides individuals---especially men --with someone who monitors their health and health-related behaviors and encourages them to…eat a healthier diet, get enough sleep, and generally take care of their health. In addition, husbands and wives offer each other moral support that helps in dealing with stressful situations.” (“The Importance of Marriage is Being Overlooked [decreasing popularity of marriage],” U.S.A. Today [Magazine], Jan, 1999, by Linda J. Waite http://www.findarticles. com/cf_dls/m1272/2644_127/53630958/p4/article.jhtml?term=)Statistics show that married people live longer than do single people: “How does marriage affect healthy behaviors? It provides individuals---especially men --with someone who monitors their health and health-related behaviors and encourages them to…eat a healthier diet, get enough sleep, and generally take care of their health. In addition, husbands and wives offer each other moral support that helps in dealing with stressful situations.” (“The Importance of Marriage is Being Overlooked [decreasing popularity of marriage],” U.S.A. Today [Magazine], Jan, 1999, by Linda J. Waite http://www.findarticles. com/cf_dls/m1272/2644_127/53630958/p4/article.jhtml?term=) The spiritual side of this for God’s people: Eph. 5:22-33; 1 Pet. 3:1-7The spiritual side of this for God’s people: Eph. 5:22-33; 1 Pet. 3:1-7

9. THE IMPORTANCE OF MARRIAGE I. MARRIAGE WAS INSTITUTED BY GOD, Gen. 2:18- 24; Matt. 19:4-6; Eph. 5:31; Gen. 2:24; Rom. 7:2-3 II. THE PURPOSE OF MARRIAGE A. Loving companionship, Gen. 2:18 ‑ 24; Eph. 5:25; Titus A. Loving companionship, Gen. 2:18 ‑ 24; Eph. 5:25; Titus 2:4; Eph. 5:22-33; 1 Pet. 3:1-7 2:4; Eph. 5:22-33; 1 Pet. 3:1-7 B. Legitimately bearing children, Gen. 1:27 ‑ 28; 1 Tim. 5:14; 1 Cor. 7:14; Heb. 12:6-8 5:14; 1 Cor. 7:14; Heb. 12:6-8

10. “An estimated 24.7 million children (36.3%) live absent their biological father.” (Source: National Fatherhood Initiative, Father Facts, [3rd Edition]: 5. The National Center For Fathering Statistics, http://www.fathers.com/research/)

11. THE IMPORTANCE OF MARRIAGE I. MARRIAGE WAS INSTITUTED BY GOD, Gen. 2:18- 24; Matt. 19:4-6; Eph. 5:31; Gen. 2:24; Rom. 7:2-3 II. THE PURPOSE OF MARRIAGE A. Loving companionship, Gen. 2:18 ‑ 24; Eph. 5:25; Titus A. Loving companionship, Gen. 2:18 ‑ 24; Eph. 5:25; Titus 2:4; Eph. 5:22-33; 1 Pet. 3:1-7 2:4; Eph. 5:22-33; 1 Pet. 3:1-7 B. Legitimately bearing children, Gen. 1:27 ‑ 28; 1 Tim. 5:14; 1 Cor. 7:14; Heb. 12:6-8 5:14; 1 Cor. 7:14; Heb. 12:6-8 C. For sexual relations - to avoid fornication, 1 Cor. 7:2-4; C. For sexual relations - to avoid fornication, 1 Cor. 7:2-4; Heb. 13:4 Heb. 13:4

12. THE PURPOSE OF MARRIAGE Loving companionship Legitimately bearing children For sexual relations - to avoid fornication WHY DO SOME IN OUR SOCIETY MARRY? FOR MONEYFOR MONEY SURVIVOR BENEFITSSURVIVOR BENEFITS SHARING HEALTH BENEFITSSHARING HEALTH BENEFITS FILING TAXES JOINTLYFILING TAXES JOINTLY FOR IMMIGRATIONFOR IMMIGRATION PRESTIGE (MARRY IMPORTANT/RICH/FAMOUS /ETC. PERSON)PRESTIGE (MARRY IMPORTANT/RICH/FAMOUS /ETC. PERSON)

13. THE IMPORTANCE OF MARRIAGE I. MARRIAGE WAS INSTITUTED BY GOD, Gen. 2:18- 24; Matt. 19:4-6; Eph. 5:31; Gen. 2:24; Rom. 7:2-3 II. THE PURPOSE OF MARRIAGE III. WHY SOME IN OUR SOCIETY MARRY IV. MARRIAGE IS NOT IMPORTANT IF -- A. There is sex before marriage, Heb. 13:4 A. There is sex before marriage, Heb. 13:4

14. There is Sex Before Marriage “The decline in marriage intimately is connected to the rise in cohabitation--living with someone in a sexual relationship without being married. Although Americans are less likely to be wed today than they were several decades ago, if both marriage and cohabitation are counted, they are about as likely to be ‘coupled.’” (Linda J. Waite, ibid.)

15. THE IMPORTANCE OF MARRIAGE I. MARRIAGE WAS INSTITUTED BY GOD, Gen. 2:18- 24; Matt. 19:4-6; Eph. 5:31; Gen. 2:24; Rom. 7:2-3 II. THE PURPOSE OF MARRIAGE III. WHY SOME IN OUR SOCIETY MARRY IV. MARRIAGE IS NOT IMPORTANT IF -- A. There is sex before marriage, Heb. 13:4 A. There is sex before marriage, Heb. 13:4 B. Adultery is committed, 1 Cor. 6:9-10; Matt. 19:9 C. One divorces without a scriptural right, Matt. 19:3-6; 1 C. One divorces without a scriptural right, Matt. 19:3-6; 1 Cor. 7:10-13; Matt. 19:9 Cor. 7:10-13; Matt. 19:9

16. “More than two-fifths (43%) of first marriages end in either divorce or separation within 15 years, according to a study from the federal government. One in three first marriages dissolve within 10 years, and one in five, within five years.” (via USA Today, 5/24/2001 in THE BEACON, Electronic Edition, sometime in 2001) “With the increasing number of premarital births and a continuing high divorce rate, the proportion of children living with just one parent rose from 9 percent in 1960 to 28 percent in 1996.” (Source: Saluter, Arlen F. Marital Status and Living Arrangements: March 1994., US Bureau of the Census, Current Population Report. p28-484. Washington, DC: GPO, 1996. US Bureau of the Census. Statistical Abstract of the United States 1997, Washington, DC: GPO, 1997, via: http://www.fathers.com/research/

17. THE IMPORTANCE OF MARRIAGE I. MARRIAGE WAS INSTITUTED BY GOD, Gen. 2:18- 24; Matt. 19:4-6; Eph. 5:31; Gen. 2:24; Rom. 7:2-3 II. THE PURPOSE OF MARRIAGE III. WHY SOME IN OUR SOCIETY MARRY IV. MARRIAGE IS NOT IMPORTANT IF -- A. There is sex before marriage, Heb. 13:4 A. There is sex before marriage, Heb. 13:4 B. Adultery is committed, 1 Cor. 6:9-10; Matt. 19:9 C. One divorces without a scriptural right, Matt. 19:3-6; 1 C. One divorces without a scriptural right, Matt. 19:3-6; 1 Cor. 7:10-13; Matt. 19:9 Cor. 7:10-13; Matt. 19:9 D. One remarries without a scriptural right, Matt. 19:9 D. One remarries without a scriptural right, Matt. 19:9

18. “More than two-fifths (43%) of first marriages end in either divorce or separation within 15 years, according to a study from the federal government. One in three first marriages dissolve within 10 years, and one in five, within five years.” (via USA Today, 5/24/2001 The Beacon, Electronic Edition, sometime in 2001)

19. THE IMPORTANCE OF MARRIAGE I. MARRIAGE WAS INSTITUTED BY GOD, Gen. 2:18- 24; Matt. 19:4-6; Eph. 5:31; Gen. 2:24; Rom. 7:2-3 II. THE PURPOSE OF MARRIAGE III. WHY SOME IN OUR SOCIETY MARRY IV. MARRIAGE IS NOT IMPORTANT IF -- A. There is sex before marriage, Heb. 13:4 A. There is sex before marriage, Heb. 13:4 B. Adultery is committed, 1 Cor. 6:9-10; Matt. 19:9 C. One divorces without a scriptural right, Matt. 19:3-6; 1 C. One divorces without a scriptural right, Matt. 19:3-6; 1 Cor. 7:10-13; Matt. 19:9 Cor. 7:10-13; Matt. 19:9 D. One remarries without a scriptural right, Matt. 19:9 D. One remarries without a scriptural right, Matt. 19:9 E. You are not the mate you ought to be, Eph. 5:25; 1 Pet. 3:7; Titus 2:5; Eph. 5:22, 33 3:7; Titus 2:5; Eph. 5:22, 33