Key Thought : Marriage is a blessing when the Divine principles are understood and followed. Marriage guards the purity and happiness of humanity, provides for our social needs, and elevates the moral nature.

[Teaching plan for Marriage: A Gift From Eden February 25, 2013]

1. Have a volunteer read Genesis 2:21,22.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. What was the significance of God making Eve out of a rib from Adam?
C. Personal Application: Do you think men and women are following God’s plan for marriage, or has this concept been corrupted like a lot of other plans God had for mankind? Share.
D. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “Why didn’t God create Eve separately like He did Adam? Why did He have to make Eve from Adam’s rib?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Mark 10:7-12.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. What does it mean that a husband should leave his father and mother to cleave to his wife? What’s wrong with parental influence in a marriage?
C. Personal Application: How do you and your spouse cleave to each other and become one in your marriage? Share your thoughts.
D. Case Study: One of your friends states, “This can’t apply to us today. Over fifty percent of marriages, even in the Christian community, end in divorce. So is Jesus saying every divorce and remarried person is committing adultery? Can’t you ask for forgiveness after a divorce and get remarried anyway because of grace?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Matthew 5:27-30.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. How do evolutionists look at sexual behavior and social mores concerning pre-marital and inter-marital sex?
C. Personal Application: How difficult is it for a person to have purity of mind and heart in sexual matters with the television and internet environment of today? Share.
D. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “I’ve heard of people who actually maimed themselves because of this verse, but if we aren’t supposed to take it literally, how are we to understand the words of Jesus here?” How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Ephesians 5:28-32.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. What does it mean for the wife to “reverence” her husband? Does mutual submission work the same today as it did in Biblical times? Why or why not?
C. Personal Application: What can you do to be more “one” with Christ in a spiritual marriage to Him and His church? Share your thoughts.
D. 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 with them.

(Note: “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.” MH p. 149)

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