摘要：ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Marriage is an institution of God, a social institution, a multidimensional experience, as well as an intimate personal relationship between a man and a woman. In the Bible the marital relationship is used to describe the covenant relationship between God and human beings. The covenant relationship between God and human beings gives man a secure and safe space where he/she can grow to spiritual and emotional maturity in God, through Jesus Christ. When spouses understand and accept the covenant as a fundamental building block in their marriage, and live accordingly, it creates a profound union and intimacy. Marriage then becomes a safe haven in which spouses can grow to spiritual and emotional wholeness. The question this article explores is how the covenant as the pastoral point of departure may contribute to marriage pastorate. The empirical research has shown that marriage counselling is currently executed reactively, rather than pro-actively. AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: DIE VERBOND AS FUNDAMENTELE BOUSTEEN VIR DIE HUWELIK Die huwelik is ’n instelling van God, ’n sosiale instelling, multidimensionele ervaring, asook ’n intieme persoonlike verhouding tussen ’n man en ’n vrou. In die Bybel word die huweliksverhouding gebruik om die verbondsverhouding tussen God en die mens te beskryf. Die verbondsverhouding tussen God en die mens gee aan die mens sekuriteit en veilige ruimte waarbinne die mens tot volwassenheid in God deur Jesus kan groei. Wanneer huweliksgenote die aspekte van die verbond as fundamentele bousteen in hulle huwelik begryp en daarvolgens leef, ontstaan ’n diepe eenwording en intimiteit. Die huwelik word dan ’n veilige ruimte waarbinne beide huweliksgenote geestelik en emosioneel kan groei tot heelheid. Die vraag wat in hierdie artikel ondersoek word, is op watter manier die verbond as pastorale vertrekpunt kan bydra tot die huwelikspastoraat. Die empiriese ondersoek het aangedui dat die huwelikspastoraat tans eerder reaktief as pro-aktief geskied.
关键词：Marriage is an institution of God;intimate personal relationship;marital relationship
