Marriage, Divorce, & Singleness

1 Corinthians 7.10-35

1. State the Simple Principle
   Obedient disciples of Jesus do not divorce (but they can be victims of one) 
   We must:
   1. Confess the Church’s Failure
   2. Gain an Overview of Biblical History
2. Establish a Framework for Discussion
   1. Distinguish what is revealed from what is reasoned
   2. Consider the concept of covenants (treaties)
   3. Avoid the trap of relying on “law”
3. Define Marriage & Divorce Biblically.
   1. Interpret scripture conservatively
   2. Separate biblical divorce from civil divorce
   3. Define the terms
4. State the Principle of Our Faith (10-11)
5. Embrace Your Mission as a Believer (12-14)
6. Accept Reality (15-16)
7. Fight the Battle for Contentment (17-24)

The Ten Commandments & Marriage

1. You shall have no other gods before Me. (Keep me first)
2. You shall make no idols. (Put nothing above me)
3. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. (Respect who I am as a person)
4. Keep the Sabbath day holy. (Make restful time for us)
5. Honor your father and your mother. (Manage the in-laws well)
6. You shall not murder. (Deal with your anger well)
7. You shall not commit adultery. (I am your only sexual outlet)
8. You shall not steal. (Honor boundaries. I am a separate person)
9. You shall not bear false witness. (Don’t trash me to other people. Value my perspective and my side of the story)
10. You shall not covet. (Don’t secretly wish for someone else)