A young single guy who found us on YouTube this year challenged me to write out the core beliefs which underpin everything we do at Future Marriage University (FMU).
The result is four short lists of values: one each for the topics of sex, dating, relationships, and marriage.
Even after 1.8 billion drafts what I’ve written is not perfect, but I share our core beliefs about relationships here, hoping to inspire you to consider what you believe about relationships, and, more importantly, what God’s word says about the topic.
So check out these values and give us feedback. Also, if you’d like to dig deeper into any of the following statements, use the hyperlinks to read the scripture references. Even better, get a group together and turn this little exercise of mine into a great Bible study for you and your friends.
Our Core Beliefs about Relationships
- We believe we were made in the image of a God who has eternally delighted in a relationship between three persons: Father, Son, and Spirit. (Genesis 1:1-2, John 1:1-3, 14:26, 15:26, 17:1-11)
- Therefore, we believe we were created to delight in relationships as well, first with God and then with those He sovereignly places in our lives. (Mark 12:30-31)
- We believe that to be deeply loved, we must be deeply known, which is why only God can love us perfectly, for only He knows us completely. (Psalm 139:1-6)
- Therefore, we believe the purpose of love is to call us up to the maturity necessary to grow in relational intimacy where we can know and be known by those most important to us. (John 17:3, 1 Cor 13:11-12)
- However, we believe, due to sin, we learn to fear the intimacy for which we were made, and instead establish disordered relational patterns which are difficult to change later in life. (Genesis 3:6-10, Psalm 51:3-5, 1 John 4:16-19)
- Therefore, we believe the family and the church should begin relational training early in a child’s life. (Prov 22:6)
- Finally, we believe this training should reorder our desires to seek God first, and then prioritize relationships with family, mentors, and friends before seeking romance. (Exodus 20:3, 12, Deuteronomy 5:7-16, Ephesians 6:1-3, Proverbs 24:3-6, Prov 17:17, 18:24, 27:5-6)
So what are your thoughts?
- Which of these statements resonate with you? Which don’t?
- Which cause you to think more intentionally about your own relationships?
- What would you add? What would you change?
And if you’re inspired by our core beliefs which guide our mission to empower students and young adults to grow spiritually and date wisely so they can marry well, consider clicking the donate button below. We’d love to have you join us in changing the mind of the culture about the Biblical meaning, purpose, and significance of marriage!
For your relational health, check out our Hot Topic resource page featuring key FMU posts and videos on relationships, or check out our LoveEd series, Relation^ology, on our FMUniversity YouTube channel.
DNA: It’s What’s For Dating
Dug this weekend’s DNA? Be a good friend and share with your friends on the social media platform of choice: Instagram, Youtube, Facebook, or Twitter.
The LoveEd discipleship series, Beyond Sex & Salvation, will empower you to prepare for relational success when it counts: BEFORE you fall in love!
It’s NOT for couples, but for any wise individual who thinks they might want to get married sometime before they die. And would like to learn how to better build healthy relationships in the meantime.
Check out all three study guides in our store. You can walk through them on your own, but it’s more fun with friends (that and it kinda makes sense to grow in relational success in actual relationships with others), so consider putting together an FMU LoveEd small group study.
Even better? And ask a rock star married couple you respect to lead it!
