Bible Reading 3/9 - 3/15: Num 11:24 - 23:20; Mark 14:22 - Luke 1:80; Psalm 52 - 58; Prov 11:1-13
Review
The Standard - Mat 5 - 7 (continued)
Divorce and the Exploitation of Women - Mat 5:31-32
Jesus' position more fully illustrated in Mat 19:1-12; Mark 10:1-12
Related Scriptures: 1Cor 7
Exegetical Idea
What are the consequences when a man divorces his wife? If the divorce was for anything other than sexual sin, he causes her and anyone she marries to commit adultery!
Developmental Questions
Explain It: What does this mean?
God's original intention should be our guide - Mat 19:4-6
Context - the "certificate of divorce" is a reference to Deut 24:1-4
This passage regulates a practice that it does not approve (e.g. Deut 22:28-29; Deut 23:18)
Prove It: Is it True? Do I believe it?
God expresses a similar sentiment in Mal 2:13-16
Apply It: What difference does it make? So What?
Husbands must take the lead in protecting their marriages.
Men must protect women rather than exploit them.
Homiletical Idea
Take your marriage covenant seriously - God does!
Protecting Your Marriage
If either spouse is unhappy, your marriage needs work.
Husbands - take the lead in getting help for your marriage.
You don't have to talk about your feelings the way women do!
Women sometimes want men to be like them.
In Scripture Jesus reveals his emotions but doesn't talk about them.
Anger - Mat 23:136
Sorrow - Mat 23:37-39; Mat 26:36-46
Feel free to express your feelings through action.
Explain your feelings as they become clear to you.
Protecting Women
A man exploits a woman by relating to her in a way that meets his needs without meeting her needs.
Meeting his needs
Sex - using her to gratify your sexual desires
Lauryn Hill - "That Thing"
Friendship - using her to listen to your problems
Rescuing - using her to boost your own ego
My relationship with S. R.
Resources - using her to supply your material needs
"Woman To Woman" - Shirley Brown
"From His Woman To You" - Barbara Mason
Meeting her needs
Affection
Conversation
Honesty, Trustworthiness, Commitment
If you don't have solid relationships with people of your own gender it is extremely risky for you to engage in deep friendships with someone of the opposite gender.
Women are often at risk in their friendships with men.
Be very careful in your relationships with the opposite sex.
New Material
Preparation
Main Passage
NIV
Hebrew Study Bible
KJV
The Message
NASB
RSV
Exegetical Idea
Subject
Tools: How, Who, What, When, Where, Why
Complement
Developmental Questions
Explain It: What does this mean?
Prove It: Is it True? Do I believe it?
Apply It: What difference does it make? So What?
Homiletical Idea
Purpose of the Sermon
Make it plain
Use accessible language and modern parables
Make sure people do something with the word God gives you for them.
The Standard - Mat 5 - 7 (cont.)
Divorce and the Exploitation of Women - Mat 5:31-32 (cont.)
Homiletical Idea
Take your marriage covenant seriously - God does!
Purpose
Husbands must take the lead in protecting their marriages.
Men must protect women rather than exploit them.
Protecting Your Marriage
What is marriage anyway?
A covenant of companionship. - Gen 2:18-25
Cleaving - the husband's job
A picture of Christ and the Church - Eph 5:22-33
Men and Women In The Church - Sarah Sumner, Ph.D.
Head / Body - 1Cor 11:2-3; Eph 5:22-33;
Sacrifice / Submit
Love / Respect
Till death - Mat 19:1-6
Your marriage doesn't belong to you only!
Is it better not to marry? - Mat 19:10-12
Don't violate God's picture!
Divorce = decapitation!!!
Whose paradigm - God's or the world's?
Who is greatest? - Mat 18:1-5; Mark 9:33-37; Luke 9:46-48; Luke 22:24-27
Mutual Submission - Eph 5:15-21
Unforced "other" orientation:
Wives submit yourselves to your own husbands
Husbands love your own wives
How should heads behave towards their bodies?
God exalts Christ - John 5:22-23; Philip 2:9-11
Christ exalts us - Rev 22:3-5
Husbands should promote their wives!
Husbands - take the lead in getting help for your marriage. (cont.)
If either spouse is unhappy, your marriage needs work.
Learn everything you can about building a successful marriage.
Personality differences affect communication, how we receive love, etc.
Identify and connect with successfully married couples.
Rearrange your life to promote the success of your marriage.
Protecting Women
Women:
If you want a man to be concerned about how he can please you then he needs to be your husband. - 1Cor 7:32-35
Men:
If you want a woman to be concerned about how she can please you then she needs to be your wife. - 1Cor 7:32-35
Be self-controlled - Tit 2:1-8
If you don't have solid relationships with people of your own gender it is extremely risky for you to engage in deep friendships with someone of the opposite gender.
Women are often at risk in their friendships with men.
Be very careful in your relationships with the opposite sex.
Get married
Marriage is a safeguard against sexual immorality - 1Cor 7:1-7
Prepare yourself to support a wife.
Look for an appropriate woman
Spiritually mature
A faithful friend
A vision that matches / complements yours
Personally appealing to you
Pray!!!
Submit your self to a happily married couple for guidance.
A man exploits a woman by relating to her in a way that meets his needs without meeting her needs.
Meeting his needs
Sex - using her to gratify your sexual desires
Lauryn Hill - "That Thing"
Friendship - using her to listen to your problems
Rescuing - using her to boost your own ego
My relationship with S. R.
Resources - using her to supply your material needs
"Woman To Woman" - Shirley Brown
"From His Woman To You" - Barbara Mason
Meeting her needs
Affection
Conversation
Honesty, Trustworthiness, Commitment
Discussion Questions / Topics (based on the indicated scriptures)
Note: 21st century people associate the "head" with thinking and decision making. 1st century people, on the other hand, associated thinking and decision making with the heart - not the head. keep this in mind as you read Eph 5:21-23.
Part 1 - Scripture References: Mat 18:1-5; Luke 22:24-27
How does Jesus expect the "greatest" to behave?
If there is a "greatest" spouse in a marriage how should he/she behave?
Part 2 - Scripture References: 1Cor 11:2-3; Eph 5:21-23
How do the following attributes/responsibilities of husbands and wives relate to your past experience, current life, and future plans:
Husband Wife :
Head of the wife Body of the husband
Give himself up for wife Submit herself to husband
Love his wife Respect her husband
Is it necessary to decide whether the husband or wife is "greater"?
What is God saying to you about your own marriage or marriage plans?
What is God saying to you about your opposite gender relationships?
Witnessing Activities For This Week's Life Group Meetings
Make sure that everyone knows about Life Church 101.
Make sure everyone in your life group has a prayer partner.
Pick a base of operations as a focus for your group's outreach ministry.
Plan a social event for your group to which you can invite some of the unbelievers you've been praying for.
