RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER’S MANUAL LESSON THIRTY-FIVE SUNDAY 2ND MAY 2021
TOPIC: DIVORCE AND REMARRIAGE
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 friend friendship suits me well,
Both young and 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 be 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?
OPENING PRAYER
Father, help all your children who are married to keep their spouses to the end deliver our marriage institutions from collapse.
MEMORY VERSE: “For the LORD, the God of Israel, said that he hated putting away: For one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacheously”. — Malachi 2:16
BIBLE PASSAGE: MATTHEW 19:3-12
Matthew:19.3
The Pharisees also came to Him, testing Him, and saying to Him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for [just] any reason?”
Matthew:19.4
And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made [them] at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’
Matthew:19.5
“and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?
Matthew:19.6
“So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”
Matthew:19.7
They said to Him, “Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?”
Matthew:19.8
He said to them, “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.
Matthew:19.9
“And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.”
Matthew:19.10
His disciples said to Him, “If such is the case of the man with [his] wife, it is better not to marry.”
Matthew:19.11
But He said to them, “All cannot accept this saying, but only [those] to whom it has been given:
Matthew:19.12
“For there are eunuchs who were born thus from [their] mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He who is able to accept [it,] let him accept [it.”]
INTRODUCTION
According to the Bible, marriage is a lifetime commitment (Matthew 19:6) God realises though, that, since marriages involves two sinful human beings, divorces are going to occur. He laid down some laws in the Old Testament, in order to protect the rights of divorces especially women (Deuteronomy 24 1-4). However Jesus pointed out that these laws were given because of the hardness of people’s hearts not, because such laws were God’s desire (Matthew 19:8) therefore it is important to remember (Malachi 2:16). The pain, confusion, and frustration most people experience after a divorce are surely part of the reason that God hates divorce. Even more difficult, biblically, than the question of divorce, is the question of remarriage.
TEXT REVIEW: MATTHEW 19:3-12
The pharisees went to Jesus with a tempting question about marriage. The question was this: “is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause”
The Lord Jesus Christ answered in verse 16. “Wherefore, they are no more twain, but one flesh, what therefore God has joined together, let no man put asunder” Matthew 19:16.
Identify any other five things which the Lord Jesus said in Matthew 19:5-15:
i. ………..
ii. …………
iii. …………..
iv. …………….
v. ……………….
LESSON OUTLINES
1. GROUNDS FOR DIVORCE
2. GROUNDS FOR REMARRIAGE AFTER A DIVORCE
GROUNDS FOR DIVORCE
Question:
What is Divorce?
Answer:
It is putting away one’s spouse. Mal. 2:16
Question:
Are there any biblical ground for divorce? If yes, mention them
Answer:
Yes.
i. Instance of sexual immorality (Matthew 5:32; 19:9)
ii. Instance of abandonment by an unbelieving partner (1Corinthians 7:15).
Question:
What are the first steps to take whenever there are issues In marriage?
Answer:
The first steps comprise Confession, forgiveness, reconciliation, and restoration.
Question:
Are there other reasons or grounds on which people seek for a divorce?
Answer:
Yes, the grounds are: (emotional or physical), child abuse, addiction to pornography, drug/alcohol use, crime/imprisonment, finances mismanagement, gambling, threat of life, etc.
Question:
Should a couple remain in marriage when there is threats of life of either of the spouse or a criminal intent?
Answer:
No. Separation for some is appropriate under such instance.
Question:
Why is separation for some and not divorce a welcome development?
Answer:
To allow for repentance and restoration.
Question:
Why should divorce be considered as the last option?
Answer:
Because God hates putting away i.e divorce. Mal. 2:16
Question:
What is the duration of separation?
Answer:
Separation could be short or long depending on partner’s willingness to repent and change his/her way.
NOTE: There would be no need for class Activity 1.
GROUNDS FOR REMARRIAGE AFTER A DIVORCE
Question:
What are the exceptional clauses which suggest re-marriage in the Bible?
Answer:
a. Fornication (except it be for fornication) Matthew 19:9.
b. “If the unbelieving depart, let him depart”- A brother or sister is not under bondage in such cases. 1Corinthians 7:15
Question:
Is there any phrase in the Bible that Suggest re-marriage?
Answer:
Yes. Jesus said “……and marries another” Matt. 19:9.
Question:
Is sexual integrity part of the marital bond?
Answer:
Yes. God sees the two partners as one flesh through sexually relationship in marriage. Ephesians 5:31
Question:
If one spouse is an unbeliever and continues to be, can the believing spouse continue the marriage or depart?
Answer:
The believing spouse can exercise the option to depart if his or her life is threatened.
1Corinthians 7:15.
Question:
Between divorce and making peace with the other partner, which one does God support?
Answer:
Making peace (God has called us to peace) 1Corinthians 7:15c
Question:
Is there any reason why it is something good not to marry according to 1Cor. 7:1?
Answer:
Yes to allow such person devote attention to the things of God without destration. 1Corinthians 7:32-35
Question:
Is there any connection between”death of a spouse” and “re-marriage”
Answer:
Yes. The surviving spouse is free to re-marriage another believer. 1Cor. 7:39.
CLASS ACTIVITY
Students should mention cases of remarriage they are aware of among believers.
SUMMARY
God’s factor is paramount in all cases of remarriage so that the intending partner will not offend God and His Spirit
CONCLUSION
Regardless of the ground for divorce, a couple can through God’s grace, learn to forgive and begin rebuilding their marriage.
CLOSING PRAYER
Father, please sustain our marriages with genuine love in Jesus name. Amen
ASSIGNMENT
Mention five reasons divorce is so rampant in our modern societies