Biblical, Traditional, Christian, Lutheran Church
The Gift of Friendship in Marriage
Human beings were not made for isolation. From the beginning, God designed us for relationship, with Himself and with one another. In a culture where loneliness is rising and real friendship can be hard to find, the Church stands as a place of true community and grace. On Saturday, November 15, 2025, Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne invites couples and singles alike to attend a special Marriage and Singles Seminar focused on Friendship in the Christian Life. Through worship, discussion, and fellowship, participants will reflect on what Scripture teaches about companionship, love, and friendship in marriage and in the single life.
Friendship as God’s Design
The gift of companionship is rooted in creation itself. In Genesis 2:18 (ESV), the Lord declares, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” From the beginning, God established marriage as a holy bond of friendship, a partnership of faith, affection, and mutual care.
Jesus reaffirms this divine pattern in Matthew 19:4–6 (ESV): “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So, they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” Marriage is more than romance, it is friendship sanctified by God’s Word and bound by His covenant. St. Paul captures this beautifully in Ephesians 5:25 (ESV): “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” This self-giving love is the heart of Christian friendship and marriage alike.
Morning Worship and Focused Marriage Seminar
The seminar begins with Matins at 8:30 a.m., grounding the day in prayer and song. After a brief coffee hour, participants will divide into two groups for discussion and study. Couples will gather in the undercroft for sessions on “Loneliness and Friendship in Marriage.” Redeemer’s pastors will guide the discussion through Scripture and practical wisdom. Couples will explore the importance of cultivating friendship within marriage, the role of affection and shared faith, and the value of maintaining relationships with other Christian couples for encouragement and accountability. As Proverbs 18:22 (ESV) reminds us, “He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.” Marriage is one of God’s great blessings and when that marriage is rooted in friendship, it becomes a living picture of Christ’s love for His Church. Couples will also discuss how to model healthy friendship for their children, helping them to form godly relationships that build character and faith.
For Singles: The Need for Christian Friendship
While marriage is a beautiful gift, Scripture also honors the single life and the friendships that sustain it. St. Paul speaks to this balance in 1 Corinthians 9:5 (ESV): “Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?” Yet Paul himself chose a life of celibacy, serving Christ with undivided devotion and rich fellowship among believers. Singles will meet in the Luther Room to consider how to cultivate meaningful friendships as adults and how Christian community supports those who are unmarried. The discussion will also touch on friendships between men and women and how, under God’s guidance, such relationships can mature into holy marriage. As Jesus says in Mark 10:9 (ESV): “What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” These sessions will encourage singles to see friendship as a calling, not a consolation, a way to love and serve others while walking faithfully with Christ.
Fellowship Over Lunch in Fort Wayne, IN
At 12:00 noon, both groups will reconvene for a light lunch, sharing reflections and conversation. This time of fellowship embodies what Redeemer strives to cultivate, a community knit together by faith and love, where people know and care for one another. Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne is more than a Sunday gathering; it is a family of believers who pray, learn, and grow together. Events like this strengthen not only marriages and friendships but also the Church itself. If you are seeking churches in Fort Wayne where faith and community come together, where God’s Word shapes daily life and Christian friendship is cherished, we welcome you to join us. Come for worship, for fellowship, and for a renewed understanding of how God blesses His people through friendship.
Hello, I would like to know if you are hosting another marriage seminar, and if so, is there an age requirement?
We are hosting another in the spring that will be focused on finances. There isn’t an age requirement.