{"id":2303,"date":"2019-06-17T23:07:39","date_gmt":"2019-06-18T03:07:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/?p=2303"},"modified":"2019-06-17T23:07:39","modified_gmt":"2019-06-18T03:07:39","slug":"the-sanctity-of-marriage-june-9th-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/?p=2303","title":{"rendered":"THE SANCTITY OF MARRIAGE, JUNE 9th, 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"heart-529607_1280\"<\/a><\/h2>\n

CENTRAL THOUGHT<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Godly foundation guarantees the sanctity of marriage.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

TEXT: Genesis 2:21-25; Ephesians 5:21-33<\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

INTRODUCTION<\/h3>\n

Marriage was instituted by God in the Garden of Eden where God placed the first man He made- Adam.\u00a0 God also provided a \u201chelp meet\u201d for Adam, Genesis 2:18, whom Adam called\u00a0woman, \u201cthe bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh\u201d.\u00a0 The man and woman were called husband and wife.<\/p>\n

God originally intended that marriage should be an estate of sanctity (saintliness, godliness, holiness).\u00a0 Hence marriage is described as Holy matrimony.<\/p>\n

This study focuses on some factors that have polluted the marriage institution, and attempt to offer possible solutions.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

LESSON OBJECTIVES<\/strong><\/p>\n

The objectives of this study are:<\/em><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. To understand what obedience is.<\/em><\/li>\n
  2. Know what King Saul\u00a0was asked to do, whether he obeyed God and the lessons for King Saul\u2019s experience.<\/em><\/li>\n
  3. Mention some specific areas that God demands obedience from man.<\/em><\/li>\n
  4. Identify other authorities we are to obey and discuss how we are to demonstrate obedience to them.<\/em><\/li>\n
  5. Know the consequences of disobedience, and appreciate the benefits of obedience.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

     <\/p>\n

    BIBLE TRUTH<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Q1. WHAT FOUNDATION CAN WE LAY FOR THE SANCTITY OF MARRIAGE? <\/strong><\/p>\n

    Marriage is a union of a man and a woman who live together throughout their\u00a0life time\u00a0having all things in common, being in one accord in every area of their lives.\u00a0 The individuals should realize that it is a creation of God; therefore no other foundation can guarantee its sanctity except the Word of God.\u00a0 In other words,\u00a0sanctity\u00a0of marriage can only be sustained through the fear of God that\u00a0emanate\u00a0from the knowledge of His word, and deliberate determination to obey the same.\u00a0 Psalm 127: 1 says, \u201cUnless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders\u00a0in\u00a0wasted\u201d.\u00a0 A<\/p>\n

    Christian should not marry an unbeliever.\u00a0 God\u2019s desire is that marriage should be honorable in all things, Hebrews 13:4.\u00a0 Giving honor to\u00a0a marriage\u00a0will require the utmost in Christian conviction and only a monogamous type of marriage is more likely to provide the atmosphere for the exhibition of the honor God expects in marriage. Sanctity in marriage should be\u00a0Bible based. In grateful acknowledgement\u00a0of all that God has done for us, Christians must consecrate themselves to God, so as to live a life of holiness in the fear of God, even in marriage. Individuals in a marriage relationship must live honestly and commit themselves to\u00a0honoring\u00a0and glorifying God in their marriage.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Q2. DISCUSS HOW THE FOLLOWING FACTORS HAVE ADVERSELY AFFECTED MARRIAGE.<\/b><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Economic Problems: <\/strong>It is now a common phenomenon for husband and wife to leave home in the morning and come back at night, in the name of trying to make ends meet.\u00a0 Children in such a family are normally left either to themselves or in the hands of\u00a0house\u00a0helps, who may not care so much about the children\u2019s welfare.\u00a0 Economic pressures can adversely affect marriage if not properly handled.<\/li>\n
    2. Improper Child Upbringing, Proverbs 22:6: <\/strong>Improper child upbringing has had its toll on\u00a0marriage.\u00a0 Children who become deviant constitute problems to their families and society.\u00a0 Children who would make positive contributions to the stability of\u00a0a marriage\u00a0need to be taught the word of God and guided to obey the instructions therein.\u00a0 When this is properly done, such children bring joy and peace to the family.<\/li>\n
    3. Delayed Child Bearing: <\/strong>There may be pressure from parents, in-laws, relatives, brethren and even\u00a0clergy men\u00a0in situations of delayed\u00a0child bearing.\u00a0 However couples under such situations should learn to wait patiently on God, 1 Samuel 1:1-22; Luke 1:5-20,57-64.<\/li>\n
    4. Desired Sex of a Child: <\/strong>Every child is a gift from God; no father or mother is able to create a child.\u00a0 Insistence on\u00a0a particular\u00a0sex of\u00a0child\u00a0is an affront on the Creator.\u00a0 Therefore parents should thankfully accept any child irrespective of the sex.<\/li>\n
    5. Infidelity, Proverbs 6:32-33; 1 Corinthians 6:13-20: <\/strong>The effect of infidelity is grievous.\u00a0 It brings scorn, ruin\u00a0and\u00a0destruction to those involved, to the entire family and the church.\u00a0 It\u2019s a sin against God and the individuals\u2019 body.\u00a0 Unwanted pregnancy could result and polygamous family brews with its attendant bickering.\u00a0 It should be avoided at all cost by spouses.<\/li>\n
    6. Promoting Culture and Tradition over the Word of God, Genesis 18:19: <\/strong>In some parts of this country, culture demands that a man could allow his visiting\u00a0friend\u00a0sleep with his wife as a mark of regards for his friend. In some communities, a husband and wife cannot use the same water container to take their bath.\u00a0 In some others, people are not allowed to marry from a particular quarter on the basis of cultural differences.\u00a0 All these negate God\u2019s purpose for marriage.<\/li>\n
    7. Long Distant Marriage: <\/strong>In some\u00a0cases\u00a0husband and\u00a0wire\u00a0reside in different cities of the country, or in different countries, for whatever reason.\u00a0 This has adversely affected the sanctity of marriage and brought hardship\u00a0on\u00a0the offspring.<\/li>\n
    8. In-laws\/Parents, Matthew 19:5-6: <\/strong>Pressures from in-laws or parents over marriage challenge should not be allowed to disrupt marital relationships and family unity.\u00a0 The husband should remember that the Lord requires that he loves his family, Ephesians 5:25-32.<\/li>\n
    9. Un-forgiveness: <\/strong>Christians are enjoined to forgive one another, Mark 11:25-26.\u00a0 If there is no forgiveness in a marriage, it will hinder fellowship with one another, fellowship with God (1 Peter 3:7), and prayers will be unanswered.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

       <\/p>\n

      Q3. DISCUSS HOW THE FOLLOWING PROMOTE THE SANCTITY OF MARRIAGE.<\/strong><\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Family altar: <\/strong>This is a veritable platform for a family devotional fellowship together, where the word of God is studied, issues that promote Christian conduct and godly virtues are discussed, family corporate prayers and intercessions are made.\u00a0 An atmosphere of this nature guarantees oneness in a family.\u00a0 The fear of God and obedience to His word would always be the bedrock of such a family and the characteristics of such\u00a0family\u00a0would be love and stability.<\/li>\n
      2. Unity and Openness: <\/strong>Unity and openness in a marriage relationship\u00a0promotes\u00a0family intimacy.\u00a0\u00a0Tendency\u00a0for suspicion will be removed.\u00a0 When we fail to expose our secret thoughts to God, we break our line of communication with Him.\u00a0 In the same way,\u00a0cord\u00a0of oneness in marriage is broken when spouses fail to be open to each other, and\u00a0naturally\u00a0it gives room for suspicion and lack of trust.\u00a0 If such\u00a0situation\u00a0is not well managed, it could degenerate into a total breakdown in the relationship.<\/li>\n
      3. Love, Submission and Care: <\/strong>The Scriptures enjoins husband and wife to submit to each other, Ephesians 5:21-30.\u00a0 Care is a product of submission.\u00a0 Submission simply means putting aside one\u2019s interest in order to take care of another\u2019s.\u00a0 When this is done in a marriage relationship, love is provoked.\u00a0 Forgiveness becomes easier in an atmosphere of love \u2013 love covers many faults.\u00a0 Husband and wife need the grace of God to \u201csubmit to each other in the fear of God\u201d.<\/li>\n
      4. Fruit of the Spirit: <\/strong>The fruit of the Spirit is the character of Christ.\u00a0 This includes love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; and this is the character trait expected of a child of God.\u00a0 If husband and wife manifest the fruit of the Holy Spirit, there will be perfect harmony in the relationship.<\/li>\n
      5. Sound and Godly Foundation: <\/strong>The strength of a building is in its foundation.\u00a0 If any building must last and stand the test of time, it must of necessity stand on a solid foundation.\u00a0\u00a0Solid\u00a0foundation in the context of this study refers to spiritual and eternal\u00a0stand points.\u00a0 Any marriage that would maintain its sanctity and fulfill God\u2019s purpose must be built on the word of God \u2013 a sure foundation that will never fail \u2013 such a marriage cannot be polluted.<\/li>\n
      6. Fear of God: <\/strong>The fear in God is an essential ingredient of a successful marriage. \u00a0This helps in keeping marital obligations and vows. Mutual relationships are built on the wisdom of God and the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. Husband and wife learn the fear of God when they are constantly aware that God\u2019s presence is all over the whole earth.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

         <\/p>\n

        DAILY LIVING APPLICATION<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Marriage is of God.\u00a0 God intends that through marriage, humanity will be blessed.\u00a0 God expects that partners involved in marriage should work hard to uphold the sanctity embedded in marriage.\u00a0 He expects each spouse to have a positive influence on the marriage.\u00a0 If marriage is to be honored as ordained by God, husband and wife have a responsibility under God, to deliberately determine to commit themselves to each other in total submission to God\u2019s will.<\/p>\n

         <\/p>\n

        MEMORY VERSE <\/strong>Hebrews 13:4<\/p>\n

        \u201cMarriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled, but whore mongers and adulterers God will judge.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        CENTRAL THOUGHT Godly foundation guarantees the sanctity of marriage.   TEXT: Genesis 2:21-25; Ephesians 5:21-33   INTRODUCTION Marriage was instituted by God in the Garden of Eden where God placed the first man He made- Adam.\u00a0 God also provided a \u201chelp meet\u201d for Adam, Genesis 2:18, whom Adam called\u00a0woman, \u201cthe bone of my bone and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2305,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2303","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sundayschool"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/heart-529607_1280.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2303","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2303"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2303\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2306,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2303\/revisions\/2306"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2305"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2303"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2303"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2303"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}