TOPIC: Marital Blows [RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 22 March 2020]

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MEMORY VERSE: “Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?” – Malachi 3:14

BIBLE PASSAGE: Malachi 2:13-17 KJV (RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 22 March 2020)

13 And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth it with good will at your hand.

14 Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.

15 And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.

16 For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.

17 Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?

INTRODUCTION:

Marriage brings out the best and the worst in most people, as two separate individuals struggle to live as “one flesh” (Matthew 19:6; Mark 10:8). It is never to face marital problems and deal with the pains and wounds that have been inflicted. However, if couples are willing to stay and work it out, they can usually restore the marriage and be happier than before.

It should be noted that when God approaches marital problems, He does so from the perspective of how to fix them, not how to dissolve the marriage (Malachi 2:16). The message of God for you today is that there are ways to get your marriage back on track.

OUTLINES

1. WHY MARITAL BLOWS?
2. IT CAN BE BETTER STILL

1. WHY MARITAL BLOWS?

At the root of most marital problems is selfishness. Conflict usually arises when one or both partners choose to live as though his or her needs deserve top concentration. A successful marriage is something that two people work hard at building together, if this is not present, there are bound to be blows. Marital blows can take different forms, including physical attack (beating), emotional and psychological battering. Apart from self-centeredness, other reasons for blows in marriage may include, but not limited to:

1. Wrong Foundation (Psalm 11:3; 2Corinthians 6:14-16). Starting a marital relationship in an ungodly manner.
2. Infidelity (unfaithfulness) of either of the couple or both (Proverbs 5:15-20; Eccles 9:9).
3. Keeping away issues that are important from one’s spouse (Gen. 2:25)
4. Emotional withdrawal after a disagreement (Eph. 4:31; James 5:9).
5. Making Unreasonable Demand from one another, forgetting that God is the provider (Phil. 4:6-7, 19).
6. Always Pointing Out the weakness of one’s spouse (Phil. 2:3).
7. Engaging Unbelievers to settle misunderstandings (1Cor. 6:5-6; Jam. 5:16).
8. Laziness Of Either Couple (Proverbs 6:6-8; 1Timothy 5:8).
9. Stinginess in money issues (Proverbs 31:10-12).
10. Issues with sex intimacy (1Corinthians 7:3-5).

2. IT CAN BE BETTER STILL

When two committed Christians purpose to seek God’s heart and follow His will, no matter what, there is no problem that they cannot work through. In acknowledging that divorce is not the solution in marital conflicts, then the following steps can be taken to remedy the situation:

1. Realise the mind of God towards your marriage. i.e., it is God’s institution designed for a lifetime (Malachi 2:16; Romans 7:2-3)
2. Be sorry, confess your fault one to another and repent from the past wrongs (James 5:16a; 1John 1:9).
3. Desire to obey God and fuel bliss with yourselves (Acts 5:29; John 12:48)
4. Be present and pray for each other (1Timothy 2:1; James 5:16b)
5. Always appreciate one another and undervalue your weaknesses. (Phil. 2:3; 1Peter 3:7).
6. Keep your temper in check, apologise when you are wrong and show tolerance towards one another (Colossians 3:13; Proverbs 15:1).
7. There must be smooth communication in all things, especially sex issues; communicating the truth in love is the key to being heard (Ephesians 4:15; 1Corinthians 7:2-3).

CONCLUSION:
The main idea in today’s teaching is to focus on restoring the connection and put the past in the past. This will save the marriage and connect you back to God when you feel like all hope is lost.

QUESTIONS:

1. Mention Some Of The Causes Of Marital Blows
2. What Are The Things A Couple Should Do To Save Their Marriage From Collapsing?

ASSIGNMENT:
Identify five reasons dissolution that is not the right option to fix marital blows.

RCCG Sunday School HYMN

1. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
   O how I love Thee well,
   I am happy, it makes me glad
   To rejoice at Thy birth.
2. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day, Thy friendship suits me well,
   Both young and old will sing Thy song,
   We long for Sunday School.
3. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
   Christ was Thy first teacher,
   The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
   Does manifest in thee.
4. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
   This testimony is sure,
   That God, the Father Almighty,
   Poured His blessing on Thee.
5. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
   Though the sun be so bright,
   Or if the clouds black with rain,
   I’ll be in Sunday School.
6. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
   I rejoice to see Thee,
   Will thou pass over me today?
   Without my being blest?