Lesson 5 - The Church on Divorce.pptx for students

Divorce notes for students

1. Lesson 5 Church and Divorce Issues

2. Goals of Presentation At the end of the lesson students should be able to: Identify God’s provisions for marriage till death separates the couple Explain the Christian position on divorce List the identified causes of divorce mentioned in the literature Identify some effects of divorce Christian interventions for divorce prevention Identify some basic things to do to prevent divorce

3. Observation Divorce is simply the practice where a married couple decide they no longer want to live as husband and wife so then formally end the relationship at all levels In 2021, a total of 689,308 divorces occurred across the 45 U.S. states that report this statistics During that same year, 1,985,072 marriages occurred, making the U.S. marriage rate 6 per 1,000 people. The United States has the sixth highest divorce rate in the world, with 40% to 50% of married couples filing for a divorce. According to Ebenezer Agbey Quist, 950,000 Couples In Ghana Are Divorced Or Separated It appears that the divorce rate in Ghana keeps increasing at unprecedented levels, particularly in recent times Read more:  https://yen.com.gh/people/family-relationships/202649-950000-couples-in-ghana-are-divorced-or-separated-ghanaians-react-massively/

4. Causes of Divorce Based on Researches done in the United States Lack of commitment (73.2%) A diminished desire to put effort to make relationship work poor communication lack of compromise, or the absence of  everyday kindness . Not ready to go the extra mile in reconciliation issues Too much arguing and conflict (55%) “Constant fighting Endless arguments Poor conflict resolution

5. Causes of Divorce Infidelity (54.6%) Effects of infidelity may include anxiety, depression, trauma, trust challenges, shame, guilt, social withdrawal. Marrying too young (45.7%) Couple may still be developing aspects of their personality If couples are not growing together, it can put a strain on their relationship. Signs that couple may be growing apart from each other absence of shared interests, having different life goals, feelings of isolation or loneliness

6. Causes of Divorce Unrealistic expectations (45.3%) how the household will run, where couple will live, and how one will be treated as a spouse Assuming “things will be better after one is married” Lack of equality (43.7%) Early signs of inequality in a marriage might include double standards having one partner make all the decisions. one feels pigeonholed into a gender stereotype in marriage.

7. Causes of Divorce Inadequate preparation (41.1%) Underdeveloped skills in home maintenance, household routines, finance management. Skipping conversations about long-term marriage goals related to Children – how many and how to raise them Careers – how marriage enhances or inhibits career goals spouse roles – what is typical husband and wife roles? preferred lifestyles.

8. Causes of Divorce Domestic violence (29.1%) any pattern of abusive behavior that’s used to maintain power or control. Forms of physical assault persistent blaming, intimidation,  manipulation , social isolation. Financial problems (28.4%) Having a hard time making ends meet A partner who overextends spending One is always being asked for money One partner finds financial responsibility a challenge. Unresolved financial challenges

9. Causes of Divorce Conflict about domestic work (21.6%) Unequal distribution of household chores Child care responsibilities may translate into conflict/resentment One party feels being taken for granted Cannot rely on spouse for support in domestic work Lack of family support (18.7%) If one family doesn’t agree with partner and the marriage May contribute to feelings of isolation and loneliness A sense of grief for the lost connections. Family may exclude partner, and/or put them down, Pressure difficult to manage

10. Causes of Divorce Religious differences (13.2%) “If husband and wife have different fundamental beliefs (unequally-yoked) One partner ridicules or demeans other’s religion One tries to convert the other away despite expressed disinterest Husband and wife have different values based on religious beliefs, social systems or both

11. What Jesus said about Divorce Matthew 19:1-9 3  The Pharisees also came to Him, testing Him, and saying to Him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?” 4  And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ 5  and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?

12. What Jesus said about Divorce 6  So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let not man separate.” 7  They said to Him, “Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?” 8  He said to them, “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. According to Jesus’ divorce is not God’s idea; God does not endorse divorce

13. Jesus: “You have Heard of Old, but I say to you” Matthew 19 21  “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment. ’ 22  But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment 27  “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28  But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 33  “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ 34  But I say to you , do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne

14. The Jesus’ Factor in Christianity Why do Christians always make reference to Jesus? Hebrews 1:1-3 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2  has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; 3  who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

15. Divorce in Contemplation The Bible is clear about God’s position on the Marriage covenant It shall not be put asunder [till death annuls it] In case of adultery or fornication, may be allowed Still subject to God’s position and individual’s consideration There are issues today that Jesus did not mention in the exception Extreme Verbal and emotional abuse Physical abuse that places individual’s physical life in threat How would these have featured in Jesus’ exception principle? How far can humans take God’s exception principle without completely deviating from God’s position?

16. Church’s Promotion of Divorce Prevention Spiritual Fellowship Together Mobilizes couples in the church to pray together, Pray for love, commitment health and wholeness for each other. Promotes the study God’s word together, admonishing each other in God’s expectations for you as individuals and as a couple Teaches and Promotes Mutual Support Church instructs and encourages couples to support each other Husband and wife are admonished to acknowledge each other’s strengths and weaknesses and, and bear with each other’s weaknesses Teaches on Married for Life The church holds , teaches and helps members to understand and accept that marriage is inseparable except death annuls it The church inspires faith and commitment in the couples to stay together k 

17. Promotion of Healthy Marriages The church promotes stable marriages because it believes they are living examples for prospective couples Stable marriages also assure those facing challenges to develop faith that their marriages will eventually work Committed to helping marriages in the church work Stable marriages become mentors for young marriages going through the initial challenges young couples face The church proactively teaches the ill-effects of divorce, so its members do not see divorce as an option When couples insist and get divorced, the church still reaches out to them in support

18. Conclusion Marriage was meant to be Enjoyed not Endured God’s plan is that couples should live together happily till they are separated by death. The Christian position is that divorce is not acceptable So many factors account for breakup of marriages through divorce, many of which can be prevented The church is committed to individual readiness (maturity) for marriage, which is a critical factor in the prevention of divorce The Church encourages healthy, stable marriages to inspire faith in all couples When people divorce, the church still reaches out to them in their pain and suffering.