Sermons

Marriage and Divorce ~ Matthew 5:31-32 (Week 13 – 3/10/14)

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Small Group Guide:

Open with prayer.

Go around and give everyone a chance to share about how the past week has been. What’s one highlight? What’s one lowlight?

If your small group has talked about it before, feel free to use this time to hold people accountable to what they’ve asked to be held accountable for previously, and go through the “missional” part of this discussion guide.

Today, we’re continuing on in the Gospel of Matthew, where Jesus is in the midst of teaching what it looks like for people to be a part of the Kingdom of God. Today, we’re looking at what He has to say about Marriage and Divorce. Scripture teaches us that:

 

Divorce

31 “It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

 

Message Outline

  1. God has a very high regard for marriage

        Matt. 5:31-32, 19:3-9, Gen. 1:27-28, Prov. 6:32, Heb. 13:4, 1 Pet. 3:7, Eph. 5:21-33

  1. There’s nothing wrong with being single

      1 Cor. 7:1, 6-8, 39-40, 32-35, Mark 12:25, Prov. 21:19, 25:24

  1. God’s heart is never for divorce

      Mal. 2:16, Matt. 19:3-9, Deut. 24:1-4

  1. Biblically, there are two situations, in which divorce and remarriage is allowed (but never commanded):                                           In the case of sexual immorality ( Matt. 5:31-32)                                                                                                                            In the case of abandonment by an unbeliever. (Cor. 7:15)
  1. If contemplating divorce, seek pastoral council

      Prov. 12:15, 15:226. 

  1. In some circumstances, separation is advisable, but in such cases, dating and remarriage is not allowed

      1 Cor. 7:10-11

  1. In any situation you find yourself in, honor God

      1 Cor. 7:12-14, 16-24, Eph 5:22-33

Reflection

 

Getting Started

 

  1. Take some time to read over Matthew 5:31-32 and pray. 
  2. Have you ever read or heard about this before? What stood out to you as we were talking about it? 
  3. What do you think Christians most commonly get wrong about divorce and remarriage?
  4. What’s your story regarding singleness, marriage, divorce, and remarriage? Take some time to think through, or talk about, your own story regarding this topic. What baggage do you have when it comes to these topics?

Diving In

Take some time to read these passages of God’s Word: Matthew 19:3-9, Genesis 1:27-28, Proverbs 6:32, Hebrews 13:4, 1 Peter 3:7, and Ephesians 5:21-33.After reading about what Scripture has to say about marriage, did you realize how high of a regard God had for marriage?

 

  1. What are some ways that a marriage can turn away from God’s heart for it?
  2. How does your understanding of marriage change when you read these Scripture passages? 
  3. Why do you think God has such a high regard for marriage? 

 

Biblically, there are two situations in which divorce and remarriage are allowed: when there has been sexual immorality, and when an unbelieving spouse abandons a believer.  

 

  1. Were you aware of these two Biblically allowed circumstances for divorce and remarriage? 
  2. Why do you think these are the only two circumstances in which Scripture allows for divorce and remarriage? 
  3. How can you help fellow believers to have a better understanding about what Scripture says about marriage, divorce, and remarriage?

 

Take some time to read 1 Corinthians 7:12-14, 16-24 and Ephesians 5:22-33. Life is messy. Many of us have gotten into relational situations that weren’t ideal. However, Scripture is clear that moving forward, in whatever relational situation we find ourselves in, we are to do our best to honor God with it. What does your situation look like right now, and what led up to that?

 

  1. What do you need to change in order to honor God better with your current relational situation? 
  2. If you are married, are there any conversations that you need to have with your spouse? 
  3. What practical step(s) can you take, in order to implement what God has put on your heart about your current relational situation?

Applying the Scripture

What are your biggest takeaways from this passage of God’s Word? 

  1. What practical step(s) do you need to implement in your life to apply what God has taught you in this passage of Scripture? 
  2. How would applying this affect your life and your relationship with the Lord? 
  3. Who can you ask to keep you accountable to applying this to your life?



Prayer Time:

Pray for each other in your small group to be faithful take the step(s) that you shared above. Pray for each other and the interactions that they have with those who don’t know Jesus. Pray that God would soften the people’s hearts to what He has for them. Pray that God would give everyone opportunities to share the Gospel.

Staying Missional:

Share spiritual/missional conversations you’ve had where you live, work, and play:

Who did you have a conversation with that took a spiritual/missional turn this week?
What questions did you ask to discover where God is at work in their life, even if they are not aware?
How were you able to share your story of life change or how you have experienced Jesus?
How can you be intentional this week with people where you live, work, and play to have spiritual/missional conversations if the opportunity arises?
Who in your life do you think could be discipleable or open to spiritual/missional conversations?

What’s next?

Discuss the next step for your small group. When will we gather again and what purpose will it fulfill?