Marriage and a Happy Home

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Marriage and Divorce

 

For how long does marriage bind the contracting parties?

 

“For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage.” Romans 7:2. 

(See 1 Corinthians 7:39.) 

 

What only does Christ recognize as proper ground for dissolving the marriage relationship?  

 

“I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery.” Matthew 19:9.

 

Note – Civil laws recognize other reasons as justifiable causes for separation, such as extreme cruelty, habitual drunkenness, or other like gross offenses; but only one offense, according to Christ warrants the complete annulment of the marriage tie. 

 

The Complete Home

 

Where and by whom were the foundations of the home laid?

 

“Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed.” Genesis 2:8.   

 

In making this home, what besides man was needed?

 

“The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” Verse 18.

 

After creating Adam and Eve, what did God say to them?

 

“God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every creature that moves on the ground.” Genesis 1:28.

 

To what are the wife and children of the man who fears the Lord likened?

 

“You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessing and prosperity will be yours. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your sons will be like olive shoots around your table.” Psalm 128:2,3. 

 

What are children declared to be?

 

“Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him.” Psalm 127:3. “Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.”

Proverbs 17:6.

 

Relationship of Husband and Wife

 

How should the wife relate herself to her husband?

 

“Wives submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.” Ephesians 5:22,23.

 

And how should husbands regard their wives?

 

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain and wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church – for we are members of this body. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be untied to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This is a profound mystery – but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each of you also must love himself, and the wife must respect her husband.” Verses 25-33.

 

Against what are husbands cautioned?

 

“Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.” Colossians 3:19.    

 

Why should wives be in subjection to their husbands?

 

“Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husband so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by their behavior of their wives.”

1 Peter 3:1.

 

Why should husbands be considerate of their wives?

 

“Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.” Verse 7.

 

Parents and Children

 

Why should children obey their parents?

 

“Children, obey your parents, in the Lord, for this is right.” Ephesians 6:1. 

 

How should parents bring up their children?

 

“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” Verse 4.

 

Why should fathers not provoke their children to anger?

 

“Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will be discouraged.” Colossians 3:21.

 

By what means may the mother bind the hearts of the loved ones at home together?

 

“She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.” Proverbs 31:26.

 

How faithfully should parents teach the precepts and commandments of God to their children?

 

“Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Deuteronomy 6:7.

 

Note – The home is the child’s first school, and it is here that the foundation should be laid for a life of service. Its principles are to be taught not merely in theory. They are to shape the whole life training.

 

What is the great secret of a happy home?

 

“Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred.”

Proverbs 15:17.

 

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