I Corinthians The Church, Then and Now

Welcome

Session 11: Marriage IssuesChapter 7: 1-40

Discussion Groups Process

• Gather in groups of 6 to 8 people, same demographic.

• For this lesson: questions 1 to 3.• Use various Bible versions to clarify text.• Share your answers.• Note any points remaining unclear after group

review.• Confidentiality: personal comments

acceptable, avoid private comments, maintain respect for group.

 

I CorinthiansThe Church, Then and Now

Marriage Issues - Outline

V 1 – 11 Christians Married to Christians

V 12 - 16 Christians Married to Non- Christians

V 17 –24 All ChristiansV 25 – 40 Unmarried Christians

• one man and one woman is God’s only plan

• sexual intimacy is right and good

• periodic abstinence by mutual agreement for a limited

time to allow spiritual focus is scriptural

• separation and divorce are not God’s perfect will

• divorce is the least desirable outcome in case of adultery

 

I CorinthiansThe Church, Then and Now

Marriage Issues – Christians Married to Christians (v1-11)

• principles of one man and one woman, and no divorce apply

• Christian must stay married to Non-Christian who is willing

• Christian has a Godly influence on spouse and children

 

I CorinthiansThe Church, Then and Now

Marriage Issues – Christians Married to Non-Christians (v12-20)

• consider the present circumstances

• when deciding on marriage:• be ready to accept trials of sharing life with another• be mature to handle responsibilities of spouse and children• be accepting of God’s call for ministry to spouse• seek counsel of Godly parents and/ or elders• don’t be in a hurry, it’s a life-long commitment

• recognize and accept God’s call to singleness and celibacy

• must not marry outside the church

 

Marriage Issues – Unmarried Christians (v25-40)

 

What Did Jesus Teach About Marriage?

…at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said,

‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,

and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one.

Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."

Matthew 19:4-6 NKJVAlso Mark 10:6-9

 

What Did Jesus Teach About Marriage?

It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife,

let him give her a writing of divorcement: But I say unto you that whosoever shall put away his wife,

saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery:

and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

Matthew 5:31-32 KJVAlso Matthew 19:8-9,

Mark 10:11-12 andLuke 16:18

 

What Did Jesus Teach About Marriage?

But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.For there are some eunuchs,

which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men:

and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs

for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.

Matthew 19:11-12 KJV

 

Love in the Context of Marriage

…as being heirs together of the grace of life….

1 Peter 3:1-7 KJV

…Love your wife as Christ loved the Church…(and) every one of you in particular

so love his wife even as himself;Ephesians 5:22-33 KJV

Is “Love” a Noun or a Verb?

Love =

Love = Devotion

Emotion

What happens to Love in the face of:•Physical Sickness•Age, Loss of Youthful Beauty•Stress, Depression, Anxiety, Mental Illness•Tragic Incapacity• Job Loss, Financial Crisis•Geographic Separation

 Devotion will drive Emotion

What About Lives Interrupted?

 

I CorinthiansThe Church, Then and Now

Marriage Issues - Summary

V 1 – 11 Christians Married to Christians

V 12 - 16 Christians Married to Non- Christians

V 17 –24 All ChristiansV 25 – 40 Unmarried Christians

I Corinthians The Church, Then and Now

Next Session:

Freedom & Rights: Part I Chapters 8 & 9