Matt and Sarah first met in their sophomore year of college. They were both
pre-med honor students and decided to attend the same medical school
after graduation. In order to save money, they decided they would move in
together and what started as a friendship became a romantic relationship.
Matt was from a nominally Christian home and Sarah’s parents were both
agnostic. They both have enjoyed their newfound affection for one another.
One of Matt’s friends from a study group invited him and Sarah to your
church one Sunday. In the message, the pastor shared the plan of salvation
and the Holy Spirit convicted both Matt and Sarah and they ultimately
committed their lives to Christ. About a year after their conversion, they
make an appointment with you—the church’s pastoral counselor—to discuss
some of the issues with which they are struggling.
In the first session they share with you that their small group leader has
been talking to them about the need for them to get married. They share
with you that they think the church’s teachings on marriage are a bit
outdated and are unsure why a “piece of paper recorded at the courthouse”
will make any difference in their relationship. They indicate that their love
has kept them together this long and they do not see that changing. They
want to be faithful to the Scriptures and wonder how it speaks to them
about their relationship with one another.
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