RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL
LESSON TWENTY-SEVEN
SUNDAY, 4TH MARCH 2018

TOPIC: ESSENCE OF MARRIAGE

MEMORY VERSE: ‘’Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge" - Hebrews 13:4

BIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 2:15-25

INTRODUCTION:
Marriage is the oldest human institution. It is older than the Church or any human government. Marriage has been ordained of the Lord for companionship and the procreation of the race. Marriage leads to the establishment of homes for children where happiness and joy can reign (Proverbs 18:22). Although we live in the days of low moral standards, when marriage vows are easily broken and divorce is considered common, God's law and standard do not change. Any Christian who breaks his marriage vows is therefore playing with fire.

LESSON OUTLINES
1. Why should we marry?
2. Who should a Christian marry?

WHY SHOULD WE MARRY?
There are several reasons we should marry if we feel led by God to do so. Some of the reasons are:
a. To obey the command of God (Genesis 1:28; 2:24).
b. For fellowship (Genesis 2:18 ).
c. For partnership (Ecclesiastes 4:9-11). It takes to make "one flesh". (Genesis 2:24).
d. To satisfy the sexual and emotional desires that are good, holy and legitimate but can only be satisfied in marriage (1Corinthians 7:2, 9).
e. For the propagation of the human race (Genesis 9:1).

WHO SHOULD A CHRISTIAN MARRY?
Christians may only marry Christians - 2Corinthians 6:14-17. In God's sight, it is unacceptable for a godly person and ungodly one to be united in holy matrimony to be one flesh. How can they be one when one serves God, in holiness and righteousness, while the other serves sin and Satan? In 2Corinthians 6:14-17, we have six clear reasons a believer should not marry an unbeliever:
1. God's command: 'be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers' (vs 14a).
2. Reghteousness has no fellowship with unrighteousness (vs 14b).
3. Light has no communion with darkness (vs 14c).
4. Christ has no concord with Belial (vs 15a).
5. Believers have no part with infidels (vs 15b).
6. God's temple has no agreement with idols (vs 16a).
It is easy then to see that the question that naturally comes to mind is, how can this two set of people who are so different, form a true partnership and have joyful fellowship?

CONCLUSION:
Marriage is an honourable institution that believers must prayerfully and watchfully enter into. It is more of a spiritual affair than just being physical.

QUESTIONS
1. Why should we marry?
2. Who should a Christian marry?