RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL
STUDENT'S MANUAL
LESSON THIRTY-TWO
SUNDAY, 8TH APRIL 2018

TOPIC: DIVORCE: NOT AN OPTION

MEMORY VERSE: ‘’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 5:32

BIBLE PASSAGE: Matthew 19:3-13

INTRODUCTION:
Divorce is one of the major problems facing homes today. Divorce is granted to the unbelievers for many reasons such as adultery, cruelty, desertion, drunkenness, neglect to provide, conviction of crime, separation, bigamy, incompatibility etc. However, is divorce permissible for Christians? Let us approach this lesson by attempting to answer a number of questions.

LESSON OUTLINES
1. Some common questions and answers
2. Counsel for partners in a shaky marriage

SOME COMMON QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Is there any scriptural ground for divorce?
There is one and only one reason and that is fornication (Matthew 19:9). What does the word "fornication" mean in this passage? The basic meaning is illicit sexual relationship with a third party. However, the "innocent partner" should be ready to forgive the "guilty partner" (Matthew 6:14-15, Proverbs 28:13). Divorce was not in the original plan of God for human beings.

2. How long is a marriage contract?
The answer is simply, until death breaks it (Matthew 19:6). In marriage, God performs a miracle when two individuals become one person. Only God is permitted to break that union by taking one of the partners in death.

3. Can the 'innocent partner' in a divorce re-marry?
It is doubtful if there is such a thing as an innocent partner in the sight of God. It is most likely that the "innocent" partner failed in some ways.

4. Why should people avoid divorce like a plague?
(a). Divorce represents a tragedy that has undermined the home, the very basis of society.
(b). Misery always follows in its path, broken homes, bruised and broken hearts, bewildered, homeless children, delinquent youth, loneliness, tears and at times suicide or insanity.
(c). The couple should consider the welfare of the children who would suffer most and the shame connected with divorce and the scandal that it engenders.
(d). Many Christians look at divorce as sinful, regardless of the circumstances because it is a public admission of utter failure which belittles the power of Christ (Philippians 4:13).
(e). Economic disaster often follows divorce and it is the cause of lack of love and happiness in marriage.

COUNSEL FOR PARTNERS IN A SHAKY MARRIAGE
Let both husbands and wives solemnly renew their vow "for better or for worse till death do us part". Let each get right with the Lord and then with one another. Confession and repentance with mutual sharing would make any marriage a success. Let them spend time in prayer individually and as a couple (James 5:6). Let the husband be the actual head of the home and not merely a figurehead (1Timothy 5:8 ). Let the wives be subject to their husbands (Ephesians 5:24). Let husbands and wives continually woo each other because each needs a great deal of affection. Married couples should continuously ask God for a holy love for each other (1Corinthians 7:5).

CONCLUSION:
Can there be love when there is no respect? The answer is yes, for God loves the unlovely sinner, whom He cannot respect. Love that is unselfish and godly can be deep and powerful even with those whom we cannot respect. With such a love, our marriages would last for life (1Peter 4:8 ). Let us pray for such divine love.

QUESTIONS
1. What is the scriptural ground for divorce?
2. Why should people avoid divorce?