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Rethinking My View of Marriage Through the Teaching of Jesus

JESUS THOUGHT MARRIAGE WAS MORE THAN A POLITICAL TALKING POINT

When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went down to the region of Judea east of the Jordan River. 2 Large crowds followed him there, and he healed their sick. 3 Some Pharisees came and tried to trap him with this question: “Should a man be allowed to divorce his wife for just any reason?” MATTHEW 19:1-3 NLT

At some point in my Christian faith, I will have to choose between my desires and Jesus’ direction.

JESUS SAW MARRIAGE AS A SACRED UNBREAKABLE COMMITMENT

4 “Haven’t you read the Scriptures?” Jesus replied. “They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.’” 5 And he said, “‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ 6 Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.” MATTHEW 19:4-6 NLT

Married Christians must:

JESUS TAUGHT DIVORCE SHOULD ABSOLUTELY BE AVOIDED EXCEPT IN RARE AND SPECIFIC INSTANCES

7 “Then why did Moses say in the law that a man could give his wife a written notice of divorce and send her away?” they asked. 8 Jesus replied, “Moses permitted divorce only as a concession to your hard hearts, but it was not what God had originally intended. 9 And I tell you this, whoever divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery—unless his wife has been unfaithful.” 10 Jesus’ disciples then said to him, “If this is the case, it is better not to marry!” MATTHEW 19:7-10 NLT

What if I have been divorced?

MARRIAGE IS NOT WHAT MATTERS MOST TO JESUS

11 “Not everyone can accept this statement,” Jesus said. “Only those whom God helps. 12 Some are born as eunuchs, some have been made eunuchs by others, and some choose not to marry for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven. Let anyone accept this who can.” MATTHEW 19:11-12 NLT

As a single Christian, I must allow Jesus’ idea of marriage to define:

My Notes

Discussion Questions

Use the following questions to reflect on the sermon and choose a couple from each section to discuss as a group:

  1. START HERE: When have you had to choose between your desires and Jesus’ direction? What influenced your choice the most?
  2. START HERE: Growing up, where did most of your ideas about marriage and divorce come from, and how have those shaped your relationships?
  3. START HERE: When was a time you realized someone was fighting a battle others didn’t know about? How did that change the way you saw them?
  4. KEEP GOING: Read Matthew 19:1-12 NLT. Jesus saw marriage as a sacred, unbreakable commitment. Why do you think our culture has moved so far from Jesus’ teaching on marriage?
  5. KEEP GOING: Jesus describes marriage as two people becoming “one.” In real life, what makes that kind of unity hardest to live out?
  6. KEEP GOING: Without pointing fingers, what are some ways “hard hearts” can show up in relationships today—including in your own life?
  7. KEEP GOING: How could you grow in embracing differences and working through conflicts to elevate a relationship?
  8. KEEP GOING: Why is your relationship with Jesus more important than any other relationship, even marriage?
  9. LIVE IT OUT: Where might God be inviting you to heal from a broken relationship? What’s your part to confess, and where do you need to rejoice in God’s grace?
  10. LIVE IT OUT: What needs to be reshaped in a current relationship or rethought for a future relationship?
  11. LIVE IT OUT: No matter your relationship status, what’s one practical step you can take this week to align your relationships more with Jesus’ direction instead of your natural desires?