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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