2015 AUGUST WEEK FOUR LESSON

SUNDAY MORNING, AUGUST 23, 2015.

WEEK 34

THE RIGHT WAY OF PRE-MARITAL RELATIONSHIP

Main Text: Genesis 24

Memory verse: Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”

Introduction

Today’s passage describes how Eliezer, the servant of Abraham got a wife for Isaac, Abraham’s son. Though the context is not very common today, the principles are good for our study. The intention of God for creating Adam and Eve was for them to keep the earth and be a companion for each other. They were also to give birth so there would always be people on earth. Again, they were to instruct their children about the will of God and remind them of God’s instruction. Relationships that are intended to lead to marriage must have this focus and prospective couples must strive towards this. The time for premarital relationship is not therefore for sexual exploitation but for prayer and planning. This is to ensure that the couple can fulfil the primary will of God in future generations.

Discussion Questions

1. As a Christian how do you understand verses 3-4 concerning who to marry?

2. What lessons do you learn from Eliezer? Verse 12-14, 26-27

3. What qualities did Rebecca portray in the passage? Verse 15-20,

4. How does the family of Rebecca get involved in the pre-marital arrangements?

5. How does Isaac become an example to young people today? Verse 62.

6. What dangers must be avoided during pre-marital relationship?

7. From the discussions, what have you learnt about the right way of pre-marital relationship?

Conclusion

Pre-marital relationship is a period of praying, planning and preparing actively to enter into marriage. In the passage above, we see the role of Abraham ensuring that his son did marry from his own relatives because the Canaanites were idol worshippers. In our case as Christians, it’s not about tribe but Faith. Is the person a Christian? We see good virtues from Rebecca like diligence, respect and chastity among others. We also learn that Isaac was meditating in prayer while a wife was being sought for him. Today, depending on the culture, one’s level of maturity, financial ability and legal issues, the age to enter into pre-marital relationship may vary from place to place. People may enter into premarital relationship when they are mature to marry and the relationship must be within an appreciable time – not too short and not too long. Some of the dangers associated with prolonged pre-marital relationship are: pre-marital sex that leads to unwanted pregnancies, change of minds, broken hearts, among others. Avoid being alone in dark places, kissing, and anything that has the potential of leading you into sexual sin. Commit yourself to prayer and make pleasing God a priority not neglecting proper planning for the future.

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2015 AUGUST WEEK THREE LESSON

SUNDAY MORNING, AUGUST 16, 2015.

WEEK 33

DANGERS OF PREMARITAL SEX

Main Text: 2 Samuel 13:1-15

Memory verse: 1 Corinthians 6:18 “Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body”

Introduction

Sex is a great gift from God to mankind. It is a gift that brings psychological, social, emotional, spiritual and health satisfaction when it is between the right people. However, sex could be devastating, bringing conflicts ruining families when it takes place outside marriage. Sex has been abused in all places for many generations now. Any sex between people who are not married either by the consent of the two or even the families is premarital sex and is against the ideals of God as spelt out in Scripture. It is wrong for a man and a woman to engage in sex when they have not been bonded in a marriage that is culturally acceptable in the light of scripture. In today’s passage, we will learn about the dangers of pre-marital sex.

Discussion Questions

1. Why did Amnon pretend he was sick? Verse 2, 5

2. Who encouraged Amnon to do what he did? Verse 3-5.

3. According to Tamar what will be the consequence of Amnon’s action? Verse 11-13

4. Could Amnon have had Tamar for a wife if he had controlled himself? Verse 13

5. What was the outcome of Amnon’s illicit sex with his half-sister? Verse 14-15

6. What lessons can you learn from the passage?

Conclusion

Amnon claimed he was in love with his half-sister and pretended he was sick just to lure her into sex even against her wish. Amnon could have exercised self-control and married Tarmar before sleeping with her. His rush to have sex with her made him hate and despise her. When people claim they are in love and want sex before marriage, they may end up losing respect and trust for each other and a lot of such relationships do not last. When we claim we are in love, then like Jacob, we must have the patience to wait no matter how long it takes.

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2015 AUGUST WEEK TWO LESSON

SUNDAY MORNING, AUGUST 9, 2015.

WEEK 32

MEDIA PRE-MARITAL RELATIONSHIP

Main Text: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20

Memory Verse: Prov. 14: 12 “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end, it leads to death.”

Introduction

The media is defining a new form and understanding of pre-marital relationship for this present generation. This media model comes with a moral code that is not only alien and unacceptable to the Bible but also to the cherished indigenous cultures of the world. In most Western movies, Mexican Soap Operas / Telenovela’s and in recent time African movies, sex has been popularized and almost all characters that depict pre-marital relationship are not without sexual connotations. Therefore, pre-marital relationship has been portrayed as a period of sexual exploration and exploitation, instead of a period of prayer and planning. Christians should not be guided by what the media present but by what the Bible says as expressed in the previous lessons.

Discussion Questions

1. What does Paul tell us about the purpose of our bodies? Verse 13b

2. What do you learn about from verses 15 and 19?

3. According to verse 16 what happens when someone engages in sexual act?

4. From verses 18 and 20b, what commandments are given to Christians?

5. Why do you think that it is not advisable to learn from the “sex-driven” movies?

6. Can you share any example of sexually-driven premarital relationship and the consequences?

7. Why must we stay out of sex during pre-marital relationship?

Conclusion

What we watch in movies and on other media platforms especially about sex in pre-marital relationship is neither biblical nor culturally acceptable in most of the world’s indigenous societies. Movie makers and stars are in for money and would do anything that will attract the attention of the youth. Though movies may portray successful marriages that have grown out of sex-driven courtship, the stories are never real but fictitious. Sex during courtship destroys trust for each other and increases the tendency for couples to be suspicious of one another. It again, takes away the presence and blessings of God.

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2015 AUGUST WEEK ONE LESSON

SUNDAY MORNING, AUGUST 2, 2015.

WEEK 31

LORD’S SUPPER DAY

There is no study outline provided for today. The day could be free or the District/Local could introduce any study that is relevant and peculiar to them.

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2015 JULY WEEK FOUR LESSON

SUNDAY MORNING, JULY 26, 2015.

WEEK 30

IS PRE-MARITAL RELATIONSHIP AFRICAN?

Main Text: Matthew 1:18 - 24

Memory Verse: 1 Cor. 10:31 “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

Introduction

Pre-marital relationship as explained in the previous lesson could be found in almost all cultures and is not peculiar to Jews, Africans or Europeans. In some cases in Africa and other cultures, there is the opportunity for some form of interactions and planning between the prospective couple before they are customarily or legally married. However, not all the African systems of pre-marital relationship would meet the biblical standard. In some tribes, the proposed couple could establish sexual ties with each other before coming together as husband and wife which may not offend families who may even give their support to the act. In such situations the standard of the Bible which approves of sex only in marriage must be followed. When culture contradicts the standard of the Word of God, God’s word must be upheld. In today’s passage, we see Joseph and Mary in a kind of pre-marital relationship.

Discussion Questions

1. Is courtship allowed or practiced in your tribe?

2. How is it practiced in your tribe/culture?

3. How does it agree or disagree with the biblical model?

4. Which aspects of courtship in your tribe contradict the Word of God, and should be discarded?

5. What lessons do you learn from today’s passage?

6. What are the “dos” and “don’ts” in courtship?

Conclusion

God is the architect of cultures and he deals with us through and within our cultures. He uses our cultures including our understanding of the universe and humans to communicate to us. Nevertheless, because of the fall of man, certain aspects of our culture may not meet God’s standard and these must be modified to suit God’s standard. Pre-marital relationship as defined in the previous study is not wrong. With the exception of pre-arranged marriages (e.g. Genesis 24: 61-67), it is unlikely to marry someone without knowing the person. Again, pre-marital relationship in whatever culture or dispensation must honour God, devoid of sexual relationship and be guided by the intention of marriage within the shortest possible time.

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