SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON - JUNE 27TH

What Should I Do?

LESSON PASSAGES OUTLINE
1. Where to Begin (1 Cor. 7:10-11)
2. When to Stay Married (1 Cor. 7:12-16)
3. When Not to Marry (1 Cor. 7:32-35)
4. When to Marry (1 Cor. 7:36-39)

BIBLICAL TRUTH - Most people should get married, and ideally people who are married should not divorce.

Introduction - Commentary by Terry Ellis, Senior Pastor of Spring Hill Baptist Church in Mobile, AL.

“What we’re trying to figure out is whether or not we should get a divorce.” The man who said this to me was sitting beside his wife in my office. Both of them fidgeted nervously, but I got the impression they were sincere in seeking my counsel. They wanted to find God’s will for their marriage.

After listening to them describe the problems they were having after seven years of marriage, I assured them all of their problems were “reconcilable differences.” I also assured them that their commitment to solving their problems together would honor God. They needed to remove divorce from the options list. They did so and remain happily married today, more than a decade later.

Christians face many issues with regard to marriage. Some believers are deciding whether or not to marry. Either option can honor God. Others have stable marriages that are a blessing to them and to others. Still others are struggling with a difficult marriage and are desperately trying to honor God in their decisions and actions.
Most difficult marriages can be saved—and should be—if both the husband and wife are willing to work together to solve their problems. Some marriages, however, become so riddled with problems (or dangers!) and one or both spouses are unwilling to work for reconciliation so that divorce becomes the last option for peace. Adding confusion to today’s cultural situation is the general view of sex, which is far different from the Christian view of sex being reserved for marriage only.

What are the major influences in your life that have shaped your view of marriage? What has led you to marry or to remain single? What is your view concerning divorce?