Look up each of the verses below and write down Bible principles that you can learn from them about this virtue. A “principle” is a “truth you can live by.”

1. What is marriage from a biblical point of view? Ge 2:24

2. Why did God ordain marriage?

2a) Ge 2:18

2b) 1Co 7:2

3. What does God think of marriage? Heb 13:4

4. What roles has God given a husband and wife in marriage? Eph 5:22-33

4a) Husband:

4b) Wife:

5. What did Jesus say God’s command is concerning putting away a spouse (divorce)? Mt 19:6 and Mr 10:9

5a) What is said in the above verses that makes marriage more than a piece of paper?

6. According to Mt 19:8 and Mr 10:5, why did God tolerate divorce among His people?

7. Would it be right to make application of these passages to modern marriage? 1Co 7:12-13 Briefly explain your answer.

8. What is God’s attitude toward divorce? Mal 2:10-16

9. What argument does Jesus use in Mr 10:6-9 to demonstrate that divorce is actually alien to God’s plan for marriage? It has four parts.

9a) Mr 10:6

9b) Mr 10:7

9c) Mr 10:8

9d) Mr 10:9

10. What possible exception for divorce is found in Mt 5:32 19:9?

11. What possible exception for divorce is found in the parallel passage in Mr 10:11-12?

Matthew was written to the Jews and Mark was written to Gentiles. Jews had a betrothal period during which divorce was allowed. Once the couple was duely married truly exception no longer applied. This is the reason God used both terms fornication and divorce. The former (a general term) often takes place before marriage the latter is after marriage.

12. According to God’s words in Ro 7:2-3,1Co 7:39 what is the only thing that terminates a marriage relationship in God’s sight?

13. What light does this shed on the instruction God gives divorced persons in? 1Co 7:11

What should be done if a marriage begins to crumble?

1. Honestly confess your failures that have contributed to the problem.

2. Begin reading your Bible to learn and praying sincerely every day.

3. Begin attending all of the services of a fundamental Baptist Church.

4. Begin to fulfill your God-given role in the marriage even if your spouse does not.

5. Read Ed Wheat’s book Love Life For Every Married Couple (New York: HarperPaperbacks, 1991). Also recommended is J. Carl Laney’s book The Divorce Myth (Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers, 1981).

6. Seek Biblical counseling.