TOPIC — Marital Intimacy: The Man and His Wife [Sunday, 11th March 2018]
OPENING PRAYER:
Father, let homes be filled with true love of Christ. Let husband cleave to the wife in true love.
MEMORY VERSE: ‘’Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” – Genesis 2:24
BIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 2:23-25
23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
INTRODUCTION
The intention of God for marriage is that the couple becomes one flesh (Mark 10:6-10). Marital intimacy, therefore, is the process that brings about the intended oneness in marriage. It involves bridging the gaps between the two worlds of the husband and wife until complete oneness is achieved physically, spiritually and emotionally. Oneness in marriage does not happen by default or by accident, but takes concerted and conscious effort of the two parties involved (1 Peter 3:8).
TEXT REVIEW: GENESIS 2:23-25
BONE OF MY BONES
Perhaps, if a wrong bone or a bone of an animal has been brought to Adam, we might not have had a woman (taking from man). Gen 2:22. The story of the dry bones may help us to know the value of “bone to bone” or bones from my bones. Eze 37:7. When bone located bone, in that story the following happened:
i. Sinew and flesh came upon them and covered them. Eze. 37:8. This means there is covering from shame, covering from exposure to danger and possible accident.
ii. Another thing was that of the breath that came upon them, which produced life in them and they became living fellows. Eze.37:9.
iii. Finally, exceeding great army arose from the bones which came together.
This is the power of unity. Eze. 37:10.
The same thing happens when bone locates bone in marriage. The breath of God comes on such marriage and a bond of unity arises and produces a strong army which the devil cannot confront. In such great army, there is no defeat, there is no shame, Gen. 2:24-25. Marital bone not inspired by the breath of the Almighty, will become bone of contentions.
LESSON OUTLINES
1. What brings about marital intimacy?
2. Communication is key
WHAT BRINGS ABOUT MARITAL INTIMACY?
What do you understand by acceptance, agreement and service in marriage?
i. Acceptance. This includes gracious accommodation of the strengths, weaknesses and imperfection of the partner. Mark 10:18; Gen. 2:23; Eph 5:28-29.
ii. Agreement. Agreement and unity on certain values of marriage which includes:
a. Setting appropriate goals.
b. Prioritising of goals
c. Availability and adequate/equal attention.
d. Breaking ties with distractions.
e. Creating time for each other. Teachers to fix the Bible passages: (Ecclesiates 4:9-11). (Amos 3:3) (Habakkuk 2:2-3).
iii. Service: This means
a. Couple must serve each other.
b. Couple must love and reverence each other.
c. Couple must sacrifice for each other.
d. Couple must celebrate, comfort and cuddle each other
e. Couple must corrected each other in love.
Teachers to fix the Bible passages: 1Corinthians 10:24; Philippians 2:4; Ephesians 5:25, Romans 12:15; SOS 1:13; 3:3-4.
CLASS ACTIVITY 1
What kinds of advice could be given to couples where the above stated principles are lacking?
COMMUNICATION IS KEY
Question:
What role does communication play in marriage?
Answer:
i. It break down partition wall of hindrances between the couple. Heb. 13:16
ii. It breed trust and transparency. Pro. 8:7-8, 24:26.
iii. It strengthens the cord of love. Romans 12:9
iv. It engenders free flow of Love, care, compliments, forgiveness ideas etc
v. It prevents or reduces occurrence of offences and rebukes.
Question:
What are the factors which can make effective marital communication?
Answer:
i. Marital communication must be timely and rightly (Proverbs 15:4, 13; 28:13).
ii. Communication barrier of ambiguity and congestion must be avoided.
iii. The language and tone must be coherent and laced with trust, love, purpose and unity.
iv. Marital communication must be devoid of gangsterism and acrimony in intent and gesture. (Romans 14:19; Hebrews 10:24).
CLASS ACTIVITY 2
Explain the role of effective communication in marital intimacy.
SUMMARY
Marital and harmonious intimacy is a must in Christian marriage.
CONCLUSION
Marital intimacy is no smooth ride and the experience differs with each couple. One partner might pay higher price than the other but on the whole, it takes commitment and patience of the duo to arrive at ecstasy.
CLOSING PRAYER
Father, let the conjugal bliss begin and continue in all our marriages.
ASSIGNMENT
Examine five factors in your society or culture which may likely constitute marital disharmony and suggest solutions.
Read previous RCCG Sunday School Teacher’s Manual Here
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?
