RCCG YAYA Sunday School Teacher Manual For February 19, 2023 Lesson 25: Topic — Marriage Has A Price
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TOPIC: Marriage Has A Price
OPENING PRAYER: Father, teach me to understand the prices I need to pay in marriage.
MEMORY VERSE: “And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.” – Genesis 2:18 (NKJV)
BIBLE PASSAGE: Ephesians 5:22-33 (NKJV)
22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
INTRODUCTION: Marriage is a wonderful institution ordained by God for the good of humanity. However, just as every item of purchase has a price tag on it, marriage is not different. There are sacrifices and commitments to be put in place for a successful marriage.
TEACHING REVIEW: Ephesians 5:22-23
The Apostle Paul in his admonition to the Ephesian Christians (and by extension all Christians) asked:
i. Wives to submit themselves unto their husbands as unto the Lord. v22.
ii. This is because………..v23.
iii. Therefore …………v24.
iv. Husbands are to…………v25.
v. That he ……….v26.
vi. That he might present……v27.
vii. So ought ………..v28.
viii. For no man ………….v29.
ix. For we are ……….v30.
x. For this cause ………..v31.
xi. This is a mystery…….v32.
xii. Nevertheless let everyone…..v33.
LESSON OUTLINE
- FEATURES OF A GOOD MARRIAGE
- PRICES TO PAY
1. FEATURES OF A GOOD MARRIAGE
Teachers should ask for students opinions on the features of a good marriage before discussing the points below:
i. A good marriage is peaceful. This is not the absence of storms (Luke 8:23) but because Jesus, the Prince of peace, dwells in the couple; the peace of God that passes all understanding is evident in the marriage (Ephesians 2:14; Phillipians 4:7). Joy is also apparent; this joy is however not dependent on ephemeral things of life alone (Romans 15:13; Galatians 5:22).
ii. The free flow of forgiveness between a couple signifies a good union (Matthew 6:14).
iii. Honouring God and His word is a healthy union (Job 23:11-12, Psalm 119:2-3) as such couples are relieved of unnecessary tensions and confusion.
iv. Having a high opinion and being courteous to each other is a characteristic of a good marriage relationship (1Peter 3:6-7). A high level of respect exhibited by couples for each other depicts a noble marriage.
v. Always doting on each other is a good sign of a good marriage (Genesis 26:8).
vi. Through knowledge of each other in all areas is important; that means ‘there is nothing to hide’ (Proverbs 13:16).
vii. Sustaining the friendship started in courtship shows a good marriage thus the couple enjoys the company of each other (Proverbs 5:18-19).
CLASS ACTIVITY 1:
The class should mention other features of good marriage known to them.
2. PRICES TO PAY
A. Teaches should use the points below to guide students into some of the meaningful prices that can be paid in a marriage and through class activity, balance the teaching by generating prices considered too high to be paid in any marriage e.g. enduring battering from spouse without crying out for help.
B. A good marriage comes with a high cost which is beyond the cost of an exotic wedding garment or ring. This cost would be paid with a lot of determination, hard work, and prayers. Some of the prices to pay include:
i. Giving up on individualism in order to achieve unity of purpose, especially in the areas of finance and work balance. (1Corinthians 3:3; Psalm 133:1-3).
ii. Discarding all selfish behaviours.
iii. Being open to each other. Stop hiding necessary information that should be made available to your spouse (Proverbs 27:5, Amos 3:3). Openness relieves the home of speculations and suspicious.
iv. The sole belief and use of ‘my’ should be consciously changed to ‘our children’ ‘our responsibilities’ etc. (1Corinthians 4:6-7).
v. Couples should develop a strong link and stick together in their drives and accomplishments in order to have each other’s back (Song of Solomon 1:14; 2:16).
vi. Couples must always yield to God through obedience to His word and saying ‘yes’ to His will (Psalm 119:11). The flesh must give way to the Spirit (Galatians 2:20; Galatians 5:19, 22).
vii. Be intentional to make sure your marriage works because a successful marriage requires a lot of commitments (Ecclesiastes 9:9).
CLASS ACTIVITY 2:
Are there prices ‘too high’ to pay for a successful marriage? Discuss them.
CONCLUSION:
It will take a daily life of sacrifice and commitment to have a good marriage. Are you ready to pay the price?
CLOSING PRAYER:
Father, please help me to pay the prices that marriage needs to be successful in Jesus name
ASSIGNMENT:
Mention four practical things you will do to make your marriage a godly for others. (No Mark).
SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN
- O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me glad
To rejoice at Thy birth. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Thy friend friendship suits me well,
Both young and will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds be black with rain,
I’ll be in Sunday School. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?