LESSON TEN
DIVORCE
INTRODUCTION
A. The phrase, "Divorce granted", is heard
thousands of times each year in America. The marriage that was begun with
"till death doth part us" has fallen far short of that goal.
1.
Gone are all the plans for a life of togetherness.
2.
Gone are all the plans that were dreamed, and talked about during the early day
of the marriage.
3.
Gone are all hopes of a happy husband-wife relationship.
B. The divorce rate
in America is at an epidemic
state.
1. In Los Angeles, California, the rate was one
divorce out of four marriages in 1900-1910. From 1940-1946, the rate was five
divorces in six marriages.
2. It has been stated that the rate nationwide
is
three divorces for every five marriages. The yearly total is fast approaching
400,000 a year, and legal separations are estimated to number more than
2,000,000 a year. These figures tell us nothing about the couples separated by
mutual consent, etc.
C. Some enter marriage with divorce already on their
mind.
1. "If it doesn't work, we can always
divorce."
2. Some even make an agreement beforehand to divorce
if it doesn't work out.
D. In this lesson let's study some Biblical facts
about divorce.
I. GOD HATES PUTTING AWAY
A.
Malachi 2:16
1.
Marriage is for life (Matthew 19:5).
2.
Ignorance is no excuse.
B. The mutual love of husband and wife is made
the
figure of the relation in which God stands to His people.
1.
Isaiah 54:5; Hosea 2:19ff.
2.
Ephesians 5:21-23.
II. THE LAW SAID: "THOU SHALT NOT COMMIT ADULTERY".
A.
Exodus 20:14.
B.
The penalty for sexual immorality (Lev. 20:10-21).
1. Another man's wife
(Lev. 20:10).
2.
Step-mother (Lev. 20:12) etc.
C.
Deut. 24:1-4
III. THE TEACHING OF CHRIST
A.
Matthew 19:3-9.
B.
Matthew 5:32.
IV. THE TEACHING OF PAUL
A.
Romans 7:2,3; I Corinthians 7:39.
V. ADULTERY IS A SIN
AGAINST THE FOLLOWING:
A.
God (Genesis 39:9).
B.
The body (I Corinthians 6:19; Proverbs 6:32).
C.
Against the family (Matthew 19:9; Ephesians 5:21-23).
D.
Against the personality (Proverbs 6:32).
E.
Against the whole of society.
VI. SOME CAUSES OF
DIVORCE
A.
Social Instability.
1.
Hasty marriage.
2.
Unrest, and war.
3.
Ungodly living.
B.
The Broken Home or Family.
1.
One leads to another.
2.
"Son like father".
C.
Personal faults.
1.
Immorality.
2.
Cruelty.
3.
Neglect.
4.
Intemperance.
D.
Ruling God out of lives.
1.
Never go to church.
2.
Never study Bible.
3.
Different religious beliefs.
E.
Ignorance.
1.
Of biological functions.
2.
Of human nature.
F.
Civil Law.
1.
Permits divorce for any cause.
2.
Lawyer sometimes encourage.
VII. SOME CONSEQUENCES
OF DIVORCE
A.
Broken Homes.
B.
Adultery (Matthew 19:3-9).
C.
Child delinquency.
D.
Deprivation of children.
E.
Religious failure.
F.
Immorality.
G.
Suicide
H.
Unhappiness.
I.
Nation suffers.
CONCLUSION:
The Bible makes it clear
that God intended one man for one woman, for life. Divorce is a deadly enemy of
the home and happiness. We must always remember that marriage is for life.
QUESTIONS
1. What phrase is heard thousands of
times each year?
2.
Discuss the phrase, "till death
doth part us".
3. Research the divorce
rate for the
last year in your city or county.
4. Discuss some of the attitudes people
enter marriage with.
5.
Read and discuss Malachi 2:16.
6. Discuss adultery under the Law of
Moses.
7. Read and discuss
Matthew 5:32;
19:3-9.
8. Adultery is against:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
9. Give some causes
of divorce.
10. Give some additional
consequences of divorce.
