TOPIC: A Happy Marriage [Sunday, 25th March 2018]
OPENING PRAYER: Father, let our youths find their own wives. Let the marriage find good things and favour. (Scroll down for SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN)
MEMORY VERSE: ‘’Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD” – Proverbs 18:22
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.
TEXT REVIEW: 1 Cor. 7:1-15
Apostle Paul, through the leading of the Holy Spirit, gave some guidelines to man and wife with regards to marriage through his writing:
A. MAN
i. Do not cohabit or have sexual relation with a woman you are not married to.
1 Cor. 7:1
ii. Go and marry rather than committing formication. 1 Cor 7:2
iii. Married man should give conjugal rights
(goodwill, kindness and entitlement) to his wife. 1 Cor. 7:3
B. WOMAN
i. Woman should marry. 1 Cor 7:2
ii. Wife should give conjugal rights to the husband. 1 Cor 7:3
iii. Wife should not divorce husband. 1 Cor 7:10, 13
C. THE MAN AND THE WIFE
i. Both should surrender their powers for each other. 1 Cor 7:4
ii. Both should not defraud. 1 Cor 7:5
iii. Both should mutually give themselves to fasting and prayer. 1 Cor 7:5
iv. Both should live in peace. 1 Cor 7:15
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 (1Timothy 5:8).
Class Activity 1: “Wait” is a crucial word in outline 1. Explain why majority do not want to wait to marry.
WHAT MAKES A HAPPY MARRIAGE?
i. A careful courtship.
– A time to get acquainted to each other.
ii. Holy Relationship
– Avoid sin. 1 Cor 8:9
– Avoid petting and caressing.
– Purity. 2 Sam. 13:15
– Avoid mistakes
iii. Genuine heart agreement of the couple. Amos 3:3
iv. Home established on Christ’s love/faith. Eph. 2:20
v. Scriptures based orderliness.
– Husband as the head. Eph. 5:23-24
– Wife as pleasant help meet (suitable and complementary). Gen. 2:18
– Family altar for daily devotion. Matt. 18:19.
– Dutiful, and without fraudulent intention to cheat. 1 Cor. 7:3-5.
– Genuine love and acceptance. 1 Cor. 13:4-8, Titus 2:4, Eph 5:25.
Class Activity 2: Mention causes of conflicts in marriage.
SUMMARY
Commitment, responsibility and love will promote peace in marriage.
CONCLUSION
Marry according to the word of God. Stay in marriage according to God’s word. Then peace will envelope the marriage according to the word of God.
EVALUATION
i. When should a Christian marry?
ii. What makes a happy marriage?
CLOSING PRAYER
Father, let your peace, love and grace sustain our marriages.
ASSIGNMENT
Mention 10 factors which should not be neglected during preparation for marriage.
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?
