[The text below represents an edited transcript of this Tomorrow’s World program.]

3 Reasons to Care About Marriage and Family

Why marriage? And why family? These are questions few consider, but they are among the most important of all questions as the answers have everything to do with the very purpose of your life.

Let’s be clear. Marriages and families are in disarray everywhere. The family institution, though healthier at some times than others—and in some countries than others—has never been understood, as it is seen by almost everyone as an institution created by man. But is it? Or is there more to marriage and family?

In the wedding ceremony used by the Living Church of God, the sponsor of this Tomorrow’s World program, we state the following:

Marriage is not only a natural union, but also a divine institution, ordained of God. It was established not by man, but by the Eternal God at creation, and derives its authority not from civil codes of man, but from the divine laws of God, immutable and unchangeable from creation.

Is that true? Is marriage a divine institution? And if so, what is God’s purpose for marriage and family?

Negative Effects of Unmarried Cohabitation

I’ll be giving you three reasons why you should care about the state of the family, no matter your age or where you live. Reason one why you should care is that:

1. A stable marriage between a man and a woman is important for children.

We were all children at one time, and the kind of home we grew up in had a significant impact on who we have become. Study after study shows that children born to married couples statistically do better than children born out of wedlock—even cohabiting couples. Today an overwhelming number of couples in the United States now live together prior to marriage. And while different countries and different studies vary within a few percentage points one way or the other, this holds true in much of the Western world.

The reality is that cohabitation prior to marriage is acceptable to the majority of people, yet this has ramifications for children.

Children of Unmarried Parents Lag Behind

The Institute for Family Studies tracked children through seven stages of life, from pre-K, elementary, all the way to adulthood, and found that:

Children born to married parents are significantly more likely to be “on track” at every life stage than children who are born to unmarried parents (“New Research Confirms Having Married Parents Helps Kids Get Ahead,” May 20, 2024).

The study points out that there are some mitigating factors, such as the age and education of parents, but the verdict is not in question. The institute further reported:

The effects of marriage are greatest during the elementary school, middle childhood, and early adolescence stages of life. Children whose parents are married when they are born have better life outcomes than children who were born to unmarried parents even after controlling for the mother’s education and age, birth weight, and doing separate analyses for race and gender.

Increased Likelihood of Divorce: Cohabitation Effect

An additional problem with cohabiting prior to marriage is that separation more likely, and those who do go on to marry are more likely to divorce. The Center for Relationship and Sexual Wellness reported in an October 21, 2024 article entitled “The Research on Cohabitation before marriage: Pros, Cons, and Considerations”:

Despite its increasing prevalence, research has revealed some potential downsides to cohabiting before marriage. One widely discussed phenomenon is the “cohabitation effect,” which suggests that couples who live together before marriage are more likely to experience lower marital satisfaction and higher rates of divorce (“The Research on Cohabitation Before Marriage: Pros, Cons, and Considerations,” October 21, 2024).

The reasoning of many is that it is best to test the relationship before making a marriage commitment, sort of like test driving a new car before buying it, but study after study tells us this is a myth. The report continues:

This counterintuitive finding [that is, lower marital satisfaction and higher rates of divorce] has puzzled researchers and sparked debates over the reasons behind it.

And this has further negative consequences for children who end up in a one-parent home—usually with their mothers. Of course, feminists claim fathers aren’t necessary and are even toxic to mothers and children. And we understand that due to death and other factors, sometimes a mother or father must raise children alone, but this is far from ideal and denies the unique qualities that each sex gives to the family.

In 2023, there were 38.1 million one-person households [in the U.S.], which was 29% of all households. In 1960, single-person households represented only 13% of all households. (“Three-Quarters of Children 6 Years or Younger Live With Two Parents,” US Census).

Diving further into the subject, many children live with a stepparent, often but not always with a stepfather.

The percentage of families with their own children under age 18 in the household declined…. In 2003, 48% of all families lived with their own children under age 18, compared to 43% in 2013 and 39% in 2023 (ibid).

Behavioral Problems (e.g. “Oppositional Defiant Disorder”)

Studies show that children of single parents are disadvantaged in multiple ways. In addition to being more likely to live in poverty, they struggle more academically and emotionally. From Science Insights:

The strongest and most consistent finding in the research involves what psychologists call externalizing behaviors: aggression, defiance, rule-breaking, and attention problems. One study tracking adolescents over three years found that 32% of those in single-mother families experienced at least one externalizing disorder such as ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder, or conduct disorder. That was nearly triple the rate among adolescents in two-parent homes (“How Does Single Parenting Affect a Child’s Development?,” SCIInsights.org, March 4, 2026).

These are some of the consequences when the purpose of marriage and family is lost. A stable marriage between a man and a woman is important for children. Why is marriage and family under attack? What is the purpose for the family? And what is the future of the family? Do you realize that the family has a future far beyond this current life?

Lacking an understanding of the reality of God and His purpose for mankind, marriage has devolved into a selfish pursuit of physical gratification, and many have chosen not to even make their gratification official. After all, as you have likely heard, “Marriage is no more than a piece of paper.”

Cohabitation does not live up to marriage when it comes to children.

Social and Societal Impact of Marriage

There is far more to marriage and that brings me to reason number two.

2. Stable marriages are critically important for any nation.

In our resource—The Future of the Family—I wrote and asked the following questions in the introduction:

Some have said that as the family goes, so goes the nation. Why is this so? Can the disintegration of the family have geopolitical ramifications? Are we seeing the end of Western democracies as a result of our failing personal relationships? And what is the relationship between families and the health of nations?

Few today understand that stable families are critical to the survival of nations and even civilization itself. Couples move in together with no sense of why God made us male and female other than for physical gratification. A pill or a surgical vacuum will take care of an accidental conception as children are an inconvenience to one’s career and lifestyle. With no greater understanding of marriage, is it any wonder that relationships falter?

Learning to Take Care of Others’ Needs

The Times of India published an article entitled,  “10 life lessons only your family can give you.” Now, perhaps it is a bit of an exaggeration to say “only family can give you,” but I think we can recognize that family is the best laboratory in which to learn these lessons. The first thought-provoking lesson is:

• Love isn’t always spoken out loud. Instead, love shows up in a different form: a hot meal waiting on the stove, clothes folded neatly, saving the bigger piece of cake for you or someone checking if you reached home safely. A grandmother may never say the words, but she’ll peel mangoes and hand over the sweetest slices. That is her way of saying it. Family teaches that love doesn’t always need words it can be felt in the smallest acts of care (“10 life lessons only your family can give you,” Times of India).

A few other lessons that are listed in the article are:

• Forgiveness comes slower than anger.
• Hard work is rarely glamorous.
• Respect doesn’t equal agreement.
• Richness isn’t always about money.

A society that learns these lessons will thrive, whereas a country that fails to teach these character traits will be filled with anger, lethargy, conflict, and the pursuit of money over relationships.

Can we connect the dots between the sad state of marriage and family, and what the Apostle Paul spoke of regarding this very time?

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! (2 Timothy 3:1-5).

National Birth Rates

Most Western nations, and others, including Russia and China, are experiencing birth rates well below replacement levels. Many causes have been suggested, and there is probably no single cause, but it is evident that many people today are more interested in career and lifestyle than in bothersome children. At the same time, many couples would love to have children but are unable.

Regardless of the causes, low fertility rates portend dire consequences for these nations. A country falling significantly below replacement value is heading for disaster. One solution is to ramp up immigration, but we already see the disruptions this is causing in much of Europe, the U.K., Canada, and America.

God Created Marriage with Rules, Roles, and Purpose

One could easily point to other reasons why marriage is important and why children living in a stable family is vital to the survival of a nation, but there is a far greater purpose that you will not find anywhere else. Simply put, reason number three:

3. Marriage is a divine institution ordained by God for God’s special purpose that He spells out in His word—the Bible.

People today do not understand the significance of marriage any better than people of Jesus’ day. Divorce is nothing new, and when questioned by the Pharisees about the grounds for divorce, Jesus did not point to the latest study or survey.

“What God Has Joined Together” | Matthew 19:6

He pointed them back to mankind’s beginning. Notice it in Matthew 19:4:

And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘for this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate” (Matthew 19:4–6).

There is still recognition among many that the church should somehow be involved in marriages, but few understand why. The typical scenario begins with a couple “falling in love,” moving in together, possibly having children, and perhaps deciding later on to get married. But why get married if they are already living together? And why in a church setting?

Today marriage is reduced to a one-day event for the woman to have her day in the sun. She is the center of attention with a beautiful gown, bridesmaids and flowers, toasts and presents. Destination weddings are becoming common where couples choose a fairy tale location far from home, expecting family and friends to purchase expensive airfare and other expenses. Some couples celebrate by reciting their personally written vows while skydiving, scuba diving, or engaging in some other form of activity.

But how many can tell you why marriage? And why do some go to a minister or priest to bless the marriage? Can anyone tell you why?

What is the purpose of marriage? Is it an institution ordained of God? And if so, what is God’s purpose? And are there any rules to marriage?

“Flee Sexual Immorality” | 1 Corinthians 6:18

According to most men and women, some biblical rules don’t apply. For example, Paul wrote to the members in Corinth:

Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body (1 Corinthians 6:18).

Sexual immorality according to the Bible involves adultery, fornication (that is sex prior to marriage), and various other forms of sex outside of a marital union between a man and a woman. However, when asked whether it is okay “to have and raise children when the parents are living together but not married,” 75.9% of men agreed and 74.7% of women agreed.

Roles in Marriage | Ephesians 5:25

Paul also laid out the roles for men and women in marriage—roles that are definitely NOT politically correct—and roles for which men and women have failed.

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord…. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her (Ephesians 5:22, 25).

People vehemently disagree with this, but how are our marriages working with our own humanly-devised set of rules and roles?

Marriage Pictures Christ’s Relationship with His Church

It is time to get to the heart of God’s purpose for marriage and family.

After explaining the roles of men and women in the marriage relationship, Paul tells us something that few seem to take seriously.

For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:30–32).

The Apostle John confirms in Revelation 19:6–9 what Paul told the Ephesians about the relationship between Christ and the Church.

And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God” (Revelation 19:6–9).

Your Future as the Bride of Christ

No wonder that Paul instructs men and women:

For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her (Ephesians 5:23–25).

God is creating a great family. Christ is to be our husband, and the Church is collectively to fulfill the role of a support—a wife to her husband. Now, this is not polygamy. The Church as a whole fulfills the purpose for which God created woman. And just as a human man and woman produce children, so God is creating a family full of children.

David looked up into the night sky with awesome wonder and asked why did God create us? What is our purpose? We can read that in Psalm 8:4.

What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? (Psalm 8:4).

The author of Hebrews quotes David’s question and an additional portion of the psalm, and takes it a step further, beginning in Hebrews 2:8:

“You have put all things in subjection under his feet.” For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, [notice this] in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. (Hebrews 2:8–10)

Becoming Part of God’s Family

Paul is explicit in his letter to the Romans. Notice how he refers to God as our Father, and speaks of us as sons of God and children of God. He further calls us “joint heirs with Christ.” Here it is in Romans 8, beginning in verse 14.

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together (Romans 8:14–17).

And so that our ladies are not left out, we also read of sons AND daughters in 2 Corinthians 6:18:

I will be a father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty (2 Corinthians 6:18).

Can anything be more obvious?

God is creating a family. We as individuals will be born sons and daughters in that family.

And when will we be born into that family?

As this next video explains, the Church of God will be raised and transformed when Jesus Christ returns at the last trumpet. This is also known as the first resurrection.

We will no longer be physical flesh, but glorified spirit beings and full members of God’s family. That is why God created you and me, to be born into His family.

It’s a wonderful thing that God is offering to us. We look forward to that seventh trumpet sounding and our true reward. You’ll see why it’s called “the better resurrection” in this next video.