DATE: – 1ST AUGUST, 2021
TOPIC: -GOD’S KIND OF MARRIAGE (Part 5)
BIBLE PASSAGE: – Ephesians 5: 21 – 33
MEMORY VERSE: – “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God” (Ephesians 5:21).
INTRODUCTION: – The wedlock is so big that it takes two to carry it successfully. But these two people must be of one mind (Amos 3:3); to work out their marriage according to God’s order. The both of them must be humble to first and foremost walk with God following His instruction.
LESSON OUTLINES
A) Essential Ingredients Of God’s Kind Of Marriage
1) Forgiveness: – A peaceful home is where two forgivers stay together.
Offences must surely come (Lk.17:1), for there is no way you will rub two surfaces together without generating heat. Thus, it is very imperative in marriage that everyone should know there is no perfect human being on earth and as such you have not married a perfect person. You are bound to see weaknesses, manifest now and then in your spouse but you are expected to forgive each other your mistakes, wrongs, sins, selfishness and other offences of thoughtless behavior or attitudes (Eph.5:31-32).
You can be sure your heavenly Father will enable you to do what he has commanded you to do. Forgive one another regardless of the offences as candidates of heaven. Avoid repetition or making reference to past wrongs. Make it your responsibility to initiate forgiveness. It will help you to achieve a strong spiritual home, which in turn will enrich every area of your marriage.
2) Maturity: – Marriage is the union of two mature adults. Maturity goes beyond biological and sexual maturity. Anyone going into marriage must be matured biologically (for procreation), mentally (for understanding), socially (for relationship with others), emotionally (this apart from spiritual maturity is most important, wherever it is absent, childishness will be the order of the day).
Maturity is the out growing of childish behaviours. Immaturity is selfishness. Maturity stops us from insisting on having or way.
In God’s economy you never get by getting and receiving by receiving. That is why a pond always stinks because it gets by getting. You get by giving without even expecting. Preferring each in honour should be 100% commitment from both partners in marriage (Rom.12:10; Phil.2:3-4).
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
To have a blissful and peaceful marriage as God purpose from the beginning the husband and his wife have to work at it genuinely and sincerely. Everything that works smoothly is worked upon by someone and marriage is not an exception. Philippians 2:15 says “Work out your salvation (in this case ‘your marriage’) with fear and trembling.
Let every husband and wife be purposeful in working out their marriage so that it can work smoothly.
QUESTIONS
- What role can maturity play in marriage?
- Marriage is a union of two forgivers, Discuss?
Next Week in Page 2