1. I Corinthians The Church, Then and Now Welcome Session 11: Marriage Issues Chapter 7: 1-40

2. 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.

3. I Corinthians The 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 Christians V 25 – 40 Unmarried Christians

4. 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 Corinthians The Church, Then and Now Marriage Issues – Christians Married to Christians (v1-11)

6. 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 Corinthians The Church, Then and Now Marriage Issues – Christians Married to Non-Christians (v12-20)

8. 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)

11. 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 NKJV Also Mark 10:6-9

12. 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 KJV Also Matthew 19:8-9, Mark 10:11-12 and Luke 16:18

13. 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

14. 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

17. Is “Love” a Noun or a Verb? Love = Devotion Emotion

18. 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?

19. I Corinthians The 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 Christians V 25 – 40 Unmarried Christians

20. I Corinthians The Church, Then and Now Next Session: Freedom & Rights: Part I Chapters 8 & 9