Lesson Fifteen

THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT (2)

YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY

Burden to Impart:

When men or women break God's arrangement in marriage and their promise to be faithful unto one another by leaving their spouse (and children), they commit adultery. The only thing that should ever separate a husband and wife is death (Rom. 7:1). Although divorce and adultery are common in the world, they are completely against God's law (Heb. 13:4): God is faithful, and He wants His people to be faithful and loyal to one another in marriage. In this way we can learn what real love is.

Memory Verse:

"You shall not commit adultery" (Exodus 20:14).

Facts to Teach:

  1. Marriage is a commitment made by two persons to be loyal and faithful to each other for the rest of their hoes. This decision is very honorable and is sealed by God (Matt. 19:6) for it is according to God's own arrangement.
  2. However, God's arrangement is often times rejected and broken by man's sinful behavior. When God's arrangement is disregarded, God's blessing is also lost. (Also, God's judgment must later be faced).
  3. Whenever a man or woman leaves their spouse and family to live with someone else they are not being true, loyal, or faithful to:
    1. One another - they have broken their vows and promise to be committed to one another faithfully for the rest of their lives.
    2. Their family - they have broken God's arrangement and have caused all of the family to suffer and experience the loss of God's full blessing.
    3. God - God has joined them together in His wisdom and according to His plan. Man has no right to overthrow God's doing once it has been accomplished.
  4. Some men and women commit adultery by living together as husband and wife without actually being married. Such a relationship is without commitment to one another. When a problem comes along they simply separate rather than learn the harder lessons of love and loyalty.
  5. As God's children we should pray and trust Him to provide the right spouse for us. The worldly practice of dating and trying out different ones will only lead to sin and mistakes.
  6. Physical contact (holding hands, hugging, kissing, etc.) with those of the opposite sex is improper outside of marriage (1 Cot. 7:1) and will soon lead into temptation and sin. (Be sensitive presenting this lesson to children of divorced parents. DO NOT condemn the parents. In wisdom try to simply teach God's truth.)