Today’s Lesson
Prayer Point - Lord, please let marital abuse become a thing of the past in all Christian families.
Previous Knowledge - Teacher reviews the previous lesson and examines the previous week's Sunday school assignment.
A. BIBLE PASSAGE - MALACHI 2:16-17; I PETERS 3:7-12
B. Memory Verse - "The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.”Psalm 11: 5
C. Lesson Introduction - Marital abuse, whether or not it involves physical violence, is a one-sided oppressive relationship where one spouse uses unacceptable methods to maintain unhealthy control in the home. Domestic abuse affects people of all races, age, gender or background. Sadly, it is an evil that now manifests in Christian homes and the church of God. Zephaniah 1:9 says, "In the same day also will I punish all those that leap on the threshold, which fill their masters' houses with violence and deceit." Abuse in its different manifestations is the most destructive tool that can be used by anyone against another person. Let us examine what the scripture says about DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR MARITALABUSE.
TEACHER' DIARY
A. Lesson Aim - To study the position of the Bible on marital abuse.
B. Teaching Objectives and Lesson Plan
At the end of the lesson, students should be able to
- Identify different kinds of marital abuse.
- Discover the biblical position on marital abuse.
To achieve these objectives, teacher identifies different forms of marital abuse and requests students to give further examples.
Teacher explains the biblical position on marital abuse and cautions students, particularly married adults to avoid all forms of marital abuse.
Teacher concludes by encouraging students to uphold love and godliness in their marriages.
C. Text Review - Malachi 2: 16-17
D. Malachi 2:16-17
i. God forbids those who use violence. V16
ii. God hates those who put away (wife) v.16
iii. God forbids treacherous dealing. V16
iv. God forbids words that can hurt the spirit. V17
B. Instead of the above, the following are required. I Pet.3:7-12
i. God wants husband to deal with wife with knowledge.
ii. God wants husband to give honour to wife. I Pet. 3:7
iii. God wants couples to be of one mind and live in love. I Pet.3:9
iv. God wants blessings instead of railing. I Pet. 3:9
v. God forbids using our (men/women) tongues for evil. V10
vi. God wants us to seek and love peace. V11
D. Teaching Method - Teacher should use lecture teaching method.
E. Time Management - 15 minutes for Opening, 30 minutes for Lesson Outline, Summary, Conclusion and Assignment, 15 minutes for General Review.
2. Lesson Outlines
i. LESSON OUTLINE 1 - PHYSICAL ABUSE
a. God forbids the following physical abuses which are often found in marriages or homes - between husband and wife, couple and children and societal based abuse. .
* Slapping, kicking, shoving and choking of partners or children.
* Pinching, throwing objects at one another, pulling of spouse hair, burning with all forms of fire or chemical.
* Strangling spouse or children, punching, slaping.
* Using of weapon- such as knife, gun, cultas etc.
* Pinning against wall, floor, bed, etc
- Marital abuse which is also physical abuse or assault or domestic violence in all forms is unacceptable.
- It is damaging and traumatising.
- Physical abuse can begin from argument and if unchecked can result in killing one another. Read: Jeremiah 22:3; Malachi 2:16-17; Isaiah 58:3-4.
Class Activity 1 - Students should mention any form of physical abuse they have experienced before.
I. LESSON OUTLINE 2 - VERBAL ABUSE
a. This is the use of spoken word to damage or injure the feeling of another fellow:
b. Verbal abuse could take the following forms:
i. Calling the other person different kinds of bad names.
ii. Passing degrading or uncomplimentary remarks.
iii. Telling lies against or false witness or deception - false accusations.
iv. Unconstructive criticism to erode someone's achievement.
v. Threats to deal with someone, to hurt, to kill, to arrest.
vi. Cursing, abusive words, railing.
vii. Harassment in all its forms.etc.
- Verbal abuse could lead to emotional trauma.
- It could produce fear and discomfort.
Read: Proverbs4:24; Col. 3:8; James 1:26; I Pet.3:10; 2:1; Matt. 5:37
III. LESSON OUTLINE 3 -THE BIBLE CONDEMNS VIOLENCE AND DOMESTIC ABUSE
i.) God hates strikers. Titus 1:7 ii. God forbids strife. II Tim. 2:22
iii.) God forbids violent words. iv.) God forbids items listed in text review A.
v.) God wants items listed in Text Review B
vi.) God wants leaders (home, church, society etc) to be guided by the leadership code in I Tim. 3:1-4; Titus 1:7.
Read Isaiah 58:3-4; Jer. 22:3; Malachi 2:16-17; Psalm 11:5; Zeph.1:9; Eph 4:31; Psalm 37: 9; James 3: 14-16; Ephesians 4:29; James 1:19-20; Proverbs 10:11; James 3: 1 0; Eph. 3:3-5; Matt 5:21-22
Class Activity 2 - Students should mention (confess) all forms of verbal abuse they have committed before.
Summary: No way for marital abuse- physical and verbal abuse - in Christian homes.
Conclusion: Abuse in its different manifestations is the most destructive tool that can be used by anyone against another person. Most sadly, 'all these types of abuses deeply scar the emotions of a person and usually greatly alter their perception and their ability to live life to its fullest. However, there is hope in Jesus. He has come to heal the broken-hearted. Psalm 72:14. He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight.
Assignment: See assignment in the workbook.
