RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER’S MANUAL MAIDEN SPECIAL FOR YOUNG ADULTS AND YOUTHS (YAYA) 11TH APRIL 2021
LESSON 32
TOPIC: PREMARITAL COHABITATION
OPENING PRAYER
Father, please let my life be pleasing to you.
MEMORY VERSE: “But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband”. — 1Corinthians 7:2 (NKJV)
BIBLE PASSAGE: 1CORINTHIANS 6:9-10, 18-20
1 Corinthians:6.9
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,
1 Corinthians:6.10
nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
1 Corinthians:6.18
Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.
1 Corinthians:6.19
Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit [who is] in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?
1 Corinthians:6.20
For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
INTRODUCTION
Cohabitation is not a modern trend. It dates back through most of history. In the Roman city of Corinth, sex outside of marriage was common, so much so that the converts to Christianity had written to apostle Paul about the problem. His reply is in 1Corinthians 7:1-3. Paul instructed that to avoid fornication, every man should have his wife and vice-versa. This menace is becoming rampant in our society today.
TEXT REVIEW: 1CORINTHIANS 6:9-10, 18-20
A. Paul, the apostle warns that:
I. The unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God – V9a
II. People should not be deceived. -V9b
III. The following categories of people will not inherit the Kingdom of God .…………….. -V9c -10.
B. Specifically, Paul charges Christians to:
I. Run away from ……………………… – V18a.
II. Because ………………………………. – V18b.
III. ……………………………………………. – V19.
IV. …………………………………………… – V 20.
LESSON OUTLINES
1. MEANING AND REASONS
2. CONSEQUENCES AND REMEDIES
MEANING AND REASONS
Teacher should allow the youths bear their mind on the subject of cohabitation and guide the class through the following:
A. Meaning of the term ‘cohabitation’
i. In this context, the word “cohabitation” refers to the practice of a man and a woman living together and sharing the intimacy of sex, without being legally married.
ii. It entails using ‘a husband and wife model’ without being legally married (Hebrews 13;4).
iii. In some circles, especially among youths or young adults on campuses, it is erroneously called ‘couples life’.
iv. There is also a new dimension of the opposite sexes living in the same apartment ( sometimes due to job placement/transfer and high cost of apartment), having different rooms but sharing common facilities (sitting room, kitchen, bathroom e.t.c). They can be referred to as ‘Diaspora or away couples’
B. Reasons for cohabitation: People of the opposite sex cohabit for some reasons: financial struggles, test of compatibility, trial or experimental marriage, social or cultural practices, abuse of liberty, ignorance of the consequences, etc.
C. Biblical standpoint: Living together before or outside of marriage, for whatever reason is ungodly and should not be practiced or encouraged by believers (Romans 1:21-22,32).
CLASS ACTIVITY 1
Discuss the varieties of cohabitation trending among youths.
CONSEQUENCES AND REMEDIES
Teacher should let the class bear their mind on the evils associated with the act of cohabitation and guide them through:
A. The consequences of premarital cohabitation:
i. Premarital cohabitation primarily exposes the man and woman to self-imposed temptations, prominent among which is sexual immorality (Acts 15:20; Romans 13:14; 1Corinthians 5:1;6:13; Ephesians 5:3).
ii. There is also the problem of appearances: an unmarried couple, living together, is assumed to be having sexual intimacy. Even if that is not the case, the appearance of sin is there (1Thessalonians 5:22; Ephesians 5:3).
iii. Those in the act of premarital cohabitation put themselves in a compromising position where emotions and availabilities can combine for sinful effect.
iv. Premarital cohabitation can cause others to stumble or be offended (1Corinthians 8:9;10:31-32).
v. By living together, they would have created a bond so strong that it can only be severed with a ‘heart-slicing knife’, resulting in intense (sometimes lifelong) pain for both partner.
vi. Should either partner later get married to somebody else, their spouse will experience the pain of knowing they are the 2nd/3rd/4th/5th person on their spouse’s list of life-in partners.
vii. Premarital cohabitation sucks the novelty, joy and fantastic feeling out of the days, weeks, months and years following the ‘big day’. Nothing is really new except ‘the cloth and the jeweleries’.
viii. Ultimately, it is dishonoring to God and a contamination of the temple of the Holy Spirit (a believer’s body) for a man and a woman to live together before or outside of marriage (Hebrews 13:4; 1Corinthians 6:19).
ix. Premarital cohabitation reverses God’s order (Genesis 2:24).
x. Productive life-time would have been wasted with a person that one may not eventually get married to.
xi. Emotional trauma (as a result of rejection, depression, obsession etc) can also set in after an eventual breakup.
xii. Many destinies have been destroyed through cohabitation.
xiii. Unplanned pregnancies and abortion usually accompany cohabitation.
xiv. Loss of interest in marriage as well as hindrance to potential suitors is imminent.
xv. On the long run, there is a possibility of violence or untimely death.
B. Remedies:
i. In order to guide against the evil consequences of premarital cohabitation,we should be aware of our own tendencies toward sin.
ii. Rather than flirting with what could lead us into sin, we should take preventive measures to avoid sin (1Thessalonians 5:22).
iii. If you are already entangled in the act of premarital cohabitation, first, tell yourself the truth that you are wrong (1Corinthians 11:31-32) and repent whole heartedly (1John 1:8-9).
iv. Then, seek the attention of a Christian counselor (Proverbs 11:14).
v. Break away from the act of cohabiting with the opposite sex (1Corinthians 6:18).
vi. Cry to God for the grace to live a life that is pleasing to Him and to have a good testimony before men (Acts 24:16,16; Colossians 1:10).
CLASS ACTIVITY 2
What counsel will you give to an unmarried couple cohabiting? Class should discuss
SUMMARY
If you know what premarital cohabitation means and it grave consequences, you will not, for any reason,venture into it. If you are already entangled in it, acknowledge you are wrong and get out of it quickly.
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CONCLUSION
Premarital cohabitation contradicts God’s idea of a union between a man and a woman. Hence, it is a sin that youths must guide against and repent of genuinely.
CLOSING PRAYER
Father,please deliver me or any youth entangled in the ungodly act of cohabiting with the opposite sex.
ASSIGNMENT
If you are already entangled in the habit of premarital cohabitation partially or totally, break away from it this week, prayerfully and actively. If you know those in the habit, prayerfully talk them out of it.