Key Thought: We can draw lessons from examples about marriage in the Scriptures to understand better how God relates to His people and can help us better understand last day events.
April 19, 2025

1. Have a volunteer read Ezekiel 16:4-15.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. What do the details about the bride teach us about God’s intentions toward us?
3. Personal Application: Why was Israel of the flesh finally rejected as a nation by God? Could the Christian church be rejected as well for similar reasons? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “What are the dangers of a church teaching people that God loves them, God has saved them, and we are the apple of His eye; therefore we are saved and don’t have to worry about our relationship with God, because He has already saved us?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Hosea 1:2; 3:1; Revelation 7:1,2; 18:1-4.

1. a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What lessons can the Christian church learn from the story of Hosea?
3. Personal Application: How could any church be found dallying with spiritual fornication? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “What fornication is spoken of here in Revelation 17? Is it literal or spiritual? What false doctrines have entered the church that lead people astray from the pure gospel of salvation and protection from God?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Genesis 24:1-4.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. Why was it so important to Abraham that his son not marry from the Canaanites?
3. Personal Application: The Jews as a theocracy weren’t to marry outside their religion. But now, as Adventist Christians, should it be okay to marry any Christian, no matter what church they belong to. Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your neighbors states: “You can marry in the church and still have problems and not have a close relationship with God. But one of my daughters married outside the church and doesn’t attend church anymore. But one married in the church and still goes to church. What is it about marrying a “good person” who is not a church member that is so wrong?” How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Revelation 19:1-9.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. How is it possible that the end of the harlot and the marriage of the bride are celebrated at the same time?
3. Personal Application: How can we be sure that we have enough oil in our lamps and ready for Jesus to come, even in an apparent delay? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share this with them.

(“Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.” Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

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