Getting Yourself Ready For Marriage 2Smakprov

## COHABITATION Devotional Content: Many people believe that cohabitation is a normal step in the dating relationship. Cohabitation has become acceptable and even encouraged. Many people believe that it is wise to “test” the relationship this way before committing to marriage, but take a look at these statistics: * Within a year, 50% of these cohabitation relationships collapse, and within five years, 90% collapse. * Couples who cohabitate are twice as likely to divorce as couples who do not live together before marriage. * Married couples who cohabitated before marriage have lower levels of marital satisfaction, higher marital instability, and more negative communication than couples who waited until marriage to live together. * Couples who cohabitate before marriage are less sexually exclusive before and after marriage than those who didn’t cohabitate. * Newly married couples who cohabitated prior to marriage have a higher rate of domestic violence. Those who live together before marriage disregard God’s plan for marriage that a man and woman should come together exclusively in a marriage relationship. God is the God of the universe. He is all knowing and He created us, so I believe we can trust His plan for marriage and that it is wisest to follow His teachings. God’s plan for marriage works; cohabitation doesn’t. Today’s Challenge: Dr. Kim shares some stats about cohabitation. How do these facts affect your thoughts on cohabitation? Going Deeper: God’s plan for marriage works. If you agree, make a commitment to do things God’s way. If you disagree, what is holding you back from trusting in God’s plan for marriage?