Preview: An overview of the true relationship dynamics of Biblical marriage and God’s commands concerning marriage, adultery, and divorce.
Scripture Reading: Mark 10:6-9.
Memory Verse: Proverbs 18:22.
1. According to the foregoing scriptures, who established the first marriage?
2. Who were the first married people on earth? Genesis 2:20-24.
3. What are the characteristics of love? I Corinthians 13:4-7, I Peter 4:8.
4. Are we called to love others? I Corinthians 16:14.
5. What are husbands called to do? I Peter 3:7, Ephesians 5:25.
6. What are wives called to do? Titus 2:3-5, Proverbs 31:10-31.
7. What is the relationship between a husband and wife meant to be like? Colossians 3:18-19, Ephesians 5:28-33.
8. Does a wife belong to her husband? Does a husband belong to his wife? Explain. I Corinthians 11:11-12, I Corinthians 7:2-5.
Note: In modern society, people tend to have strong feelings against the idea of a woman having to submit in any way, but they do not truly understand what submission means in the context of a Biblical marriage. Submission ≠ Oppression. Women are not called to submit to all men, only their own husbands and submission does not mean that a wife is abused by her husband but that the wife respects her husband as the head of the household and willingly gives herself to selflessness and service within her household, valuing his opinion and commitment to the relationship. The husband, in return, must love his wife as he loves the Church, which means he must cherish and respect her highly. A man who loves his wife as he is called to will not oppress or abuse his wife. Marriage is built on love and extreme respect from both sides.
9. Is a good wife a gift from God? Explain. Genesis 2:18, Proverbs 19:14.
10. What is the value of a good wife? Proverbs 31:10.
11. What is the hierarchy of peoples in relation to God? Ephesians 5:23-24.
12. Are we meant to marry unbelievers? II Corinthians 6:14.
Note: While it is not a sin to marry an unbeliever, it makes your marriage uneven because of a difference in beliefs and priorities. A marriage between two Christians will be much more stable and will cause less provocation from both sides.
13. What does the Lord feel about adultery? Hebrews 13:4, Malachi 2:13-16, I Corinthians 6:18, Proverbs 6:32.
14. What does God say about divorce? Mark 10:9, Matthew 19:9, Matthew 5:32, I Corinthians 7:12-15.
Note: Because the Bible does not explicitly state that one is allowed to divorce a spouse due to abuse in the relationship, people tend to say that spousal abuse is condoned in the Bible. This is not so. God condemns violence against innocent people and, additionally, abuse within a marriage breaks the marriage covenant, which is sacred to God. You are allowed to divorce an abusive spouse.