SH Small Group 4/17/24

Read 1 Corinthians 7:1-16

Marriage is a Holy Union between two people. Does the Bible speak specifically towards the gender of these people? Why is this important to know in 2024?

7:2 “each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband” = 1 man + 1 woman = Biblical Marriage

In verses 3-5 we see Paul talking about each person giving away certain “rights” to the other person. Why do you think that this type of submission and accountability matter in a marriage?

Paul mentions that He remained single His entire life (vs 6-8). What do you think would be challenging about this lifestyle? What benefits do you think it may bring in regards to one’s walk with the Lord?

Paul’s lifestyle obviously required a ton of self-control. For those of us that do not possess this type of control, what does the Lord charge in vs. 9?

Verses 10-16 are the most challenging to understand.

vs. 10-11 makes a statement that I unpopular in our world. What is this statement?

Marriage is a lifelong commitment, and divorce bears unforeseeable consequences/challenges because it was never in His design for marriage.

This is the hard part, What do verses 12-14 say about remaining married to people who don’t think like us anymore or make us “Happy” anymore?

We are to stay and seek reconciliation with them. They need us!

This is not saying that someone who is being abused should remain in a harmful marriage. However, most divorces are rooted in a persons “feelings” rather than actual danger. “We’ve grown apart” or a difference in opinion are not valid reasons for divorce.

While Paul tells us that we (Christians) are not to divorce, What does he in Vs. 15 about if the non-christian leaves?

What are some things that you believe are important to having a long and Joyful Marriage?