RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL

TOPIC: A Happy Marriage [RCCG Sunday School STUDENTS Manual, 25th March 2018]

MEMORY VERSE: ‘’Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD” – Proverbs 18:22 (scroll down for SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN)

BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 Corinthians 7:1-15

1 Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.

2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.

3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.

4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.

5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.

6 But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.

7 For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.

8 I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.

9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.

10 And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:

11 But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.

12 But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.

13 And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.

14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.

INTRODUCTION:

There are seasons and times for everything and every purpose in life (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Like in every other facet of human endeavour, doing the right thing at the right time, in marital issues, is crucial to success. Many people have entered the institution of marriage at the wrong time and for the wrong reasons. Believers in Christ should be different and get it right from the onset. When should a Christian marry? What makes a happy marriage? These questions will be addressed in this lesson.

LESSON OUTLINES
1. When should a Christian marry?
2. What makes a happy marriage?

WHEN SHOULD A CHRISTIAN MARRY?

1. Wait until you are old enough to marry. Marriage is for adults and not for children, for it carries heavy responsibilities requiring maturity and experience (1Corinthians 7:36; Hebrews 5:14).

2. Let God guide you into marriage after much prayer and seeking His will (Romans 12:2; Philippians 2:13).

3. Do not rush into marriage even after you know whom God wants you to marry. It is always advisable to know your partner sufficiently well to know his or her dislikes (Isaiah 28:16).

4. Never marry a man or a woman with the hope of reforming or transforming him or her. Instead of reforming they may drag you to hell. Therefore, wait until any moral problems are settled (1Corinthians 10:12).

5. Wait for health. Marriage requires strong bodies. If your partner is unwell, jointly pray for healing from above (Jeremiah 30:17).

6. Wait for the approval of the girl’s parent. This is very important. A Christian should not “steal” a wife (Isaiah 28:16; Colossians 3:20).

7. Wait for a measure of financial stability. Not wealth as such but at least some security (1 Timothy 5:8).

WHAT MAKES A HAPPY MARRIAGE?

To the couple planning to get married, courtship should be handled carefully. It is a time of getting better acquainted and ascertaining whether or not they are prepared for marriage. It is very important to note that they must not take liberties one with another at this time, for they are not yet married (1 Corinthians 8:9). Avoid petting and caressing lest passion override reason and you ruin everything. Keep yourself pure or you may discover how easily love can turn to hate (2 Samuel 13:15). Any mistake made during courtship can stamp a regrettable mark on the marriage, if it eventually holds.

A happy and successful marriage is based on genuine heart agreement of the couple (Amos 3:3). They must be willing to establish a Christian home with Christ as the Chief Cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20), the husband as head of the home (Ephesians 5:23-24), the wife a pleasant helpmate (Genesis 2:18) and with the family altar (Matthew 18:19). They must not defraud one another, rather they should render full benevolence to each other (1 Corinthians 7:3-5). Genuine love is essential to a happy marriage (1 Corinthians 13:4-8; Ephesians 5:25; Titus 2:4).

CONCLUSION:
Marriage is not an experiment for a short time. It is permanent. It must be based on lifetime anticipation, “till death do us part” – Matthew 19:6-9.

QUESTIONS
1. When should a Christian marry?
2. What makes a happy marriage?

Click to read previous RCCG Sunday School STUDENTS Manual March 18th, 2018 Lesson 29 — Martial Intimacy: The Perspective Of Christ And The Church

SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN

1. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me glad
To rejoice at Thy birth.

2. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day, Thy friendship suits me well,
Both young and old will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School.

3. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee.

4. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee.

5. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds black with rain,
I’ll be in Sunday School.

6. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?