As a pastor who regularly conducts premarital counseling, I have found that bible verses for premarital counseling are an invaluable resource for couples.
Whether it is the bible verse that they read before their wedding ceremony or bible verses to help them through tough times in their marriage, bible verses can be used in many different ways.
In this blog post, we will discuss 12 bible verses for premarital counseling that you may want to consider using during your premarital sessions!
1) Proverbs 18:22
22 He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.
This bible verse is excellent for reminding couples of the blessings that marriage can bring. Proverbs 18:22 promises that a wife will be “a blessing” and the husband will receive “favor from God.” Couples may find this premarital counseling verse helps them appreciate each other in marriage.
2) Ephesians 5:21
21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
This passage demonstrates that love and submission are mutual roles in a healthy marriage. Couples will learn how to respect and submit to each other for the sake of a long-lasting marriage. This should be done in the “reverence of Christ.”
A couple who understands these bible verses will be able to cooperate better and work together.
Related Post: Tips to Prepare for a Successful Marriage [A Comprehensive Guide]
Premarital activity: Read this passage out loud together, and each take turns verbally showing how the two perspectives of love and submission are asked for in a healthy marriage.
3) Matthew 5:28
But I say: Anyone who even looks at a woman with lust in his eye has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Jesus warns that looking at someone of the opposite sex with lustful intent is adultery, and says this makes lust an “enemy” of marriage.
This could be used to warn couples about the dangers of pornography, for example by showing them how it breaks trust and increases risks in their relationships. It also shows people how easy it is to slip into sin even when there’s no one else around.
I use these bible verses for premarital counseling all the time as I counsel couples because it says everything I want to say about pornography.
Exercises: Do you struggle with lust? See more questions here.
4) 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails.4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails...
I Corinthians 13:4-8a is by far the most popular premarital counseling Bible verse used by pastors and Christian counselors. It is often referred to as “the bible verse for premarital counseling” because it covers so many qualities of a godly marriage.
Exercises: One thing I have found that couples who are struggling with conflict in their relationship can do is read this bible verse together and ask each other if they show these same characteristics towards one another.
5) 1 Corinthians 13:11
11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.
We use this bible verse to remind couples that marriage is more than just a trial. It’s an opportunity for them to grow in love and put their childish ways behind them.
This bible verse can be used during premarital counseling sessions to emphasize the need for growth and maturity. Couples should understand that marriage comes with responsibilities that it involves a lot of growing up. A lot of growth and commitment needs to happen from both partners.
Exercises “What childish behaviors do I need to leave behind in order to enjoy a lifelong marriage with my future spouse?”
6) Exodus 20:14
“You shall not commit adultery.”
This bible verse is an obvious choice for premarital counseling sessions because it deals with the topic of sex and relationships before marriage. Couples may benefit from considering this bible verse as they think about their future together, knowing that God expects them to be sexually faithful in their relationship.
Exercise: What can I do to prevent myself from falling into this trap?
Addition premarital bible verse on sex:
Hebrews 13:4 Marriage should be honoured by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.
7) Genesis 2:24
That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.
This bible verse reminds couples to stay focused on each other oneness. Without this kind of unity, some couples might neglect caring for each other and spend too much time focusing on their family instead.
This is a great verse for premarital counseling. It’s perfect for any couples who may have issues with their in-laws.
A good premarital counselor will help you see marriage the way God sees it. You should treat your relationship with care and reverence, as a sacred thing open to Him alone.. See this article for more on how to conduct a premarital counseling session.
Exercise: In what areas have i neglected my partner?
Additional bible verse on leaving and cleaving:
Ephesians 5:31 31 For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.
8) Matthew 19:6
6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder (separate).
This bible verse is perfect for reminding couples of their commitment to one another. Couples should do whatever it takes to sustain their relationship with one another, even when they go through the tough times.
A couple should work hard to identify possible red flags, things that might cause them to break their commitment. Once they have identified these things or people that are a negative influence, they need to work on an action plan to disengage from them.
Exercise: How can I stay faithful to my partner?
9) Psalm 24:1
The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;
We often use this verse when teaching newlywed couples about how to handle marital finances.
We use this text to teach them on stewardship, because everything they have belongs to God and the should take care of it wisely. Couples can use this bible verse to remind themselves that no matter how much money they make, it belongs to God and should be spent wisely.
Exercise: How do we successfully manage our finances and live wisely?
See more premarital counseling questions on finance here.
10) James 1:19
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
James warns us to be “quick to listen, slow to speak.” Couples might find this helps them talk through their issues and come up with solutions together without fighting or accusing each other. This is a great verse that addresses communication issues in marriage.
Couples that are quick to listen to each other will be able to resolve their conflicts quickly.
Exercise: Do you feel like i listen to you?
11) Proverbs 13:20
20 Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.
I usually use this text to help first-time couples understand the need for a trusted partner who will have their back during tough times in marriage. A mentor couple should be well-rounded and experienced enough to act as a guide for you and your spouse-to-be on your journey towards building a happy family together.
Click here to find out how mentor couples can help strengthen and support other young couples.
Exercise: Who do we know that can have a positive influence on our marriage?
12) John 15:13
13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
This bible verses for premarital counseling is an important reminder to couples about the need for selflessness in marriage. It reminds us how much Jesus loved humanity by laying His life down on behalf of others. True love is not selfish but sacrificial. In marriage, that means putting the needs of your partner before yourself in any given situation!
When people marry, they should be ready to give up a little bit of themselves for the sake of their partner. Everyone knows that keeping your marriage together is hard work. Ask anyone who has been married for more than 5 years!
When someone makes this commitment and chooses to sacrifice their own needs in order to make sure the other person feels loved and supported, it means everything! This stance can go over time evolve into something so much bigger- when you stop looking out for yourself but start taking care of others instead.
Exercise: In what ways am I sacrificing for my partner?
Conclusion: Bible Verses For Premarital Counseling
This is not an exhaustive list, but these 12 bible verses have been my go-to bible verses in premarital counseling sessions and I hope that you will consider them as well!
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Note: Most verses are quoted from the NIV version, AMP Bible, and ESV version.
