THEME: The Reign of God: Marriage and Christian Lifestyle

SUB-THEME: Vital discussions in courtship 2

TOPIC: Why marriage?

TEXT: Ruth 1:1-17

AIMS:

i. to critically discuss the basis for marriage between a man and a woman and

ii. to examine the bases for marital contracts in our contemporary society.

INTRODUCTION

Why marriage? Do you need a wife or a girlfriend or you need dating? Why can’t we just be friends? Why do you want to marry me? Can’t you find another person to marry? These are the pertinent questions that intending couples need to ask themselves before finally agreeing to enter the marriage process. The answer to these questions doesn’t need to be complex, but it should highlight what makes marriage a good idea for both of them. The Bible passage today exposed us to an extreme love of Ruth to her husband, and thereafter extended to her husband’s family, even after death. The affirmation of Ruth is a course for consideration as important basis for marital union.

STUDY GUIDE

1. How can you describe the love of Ruth to her late husband according to our Bible passage today and why do you think Ruth agreed to marry him while he was alive?

2.  In the context of our Bible text, distinguish the passion and love of Ruth and Orpah to their husband and the family and compare with the biblical injunction in 1Cor 7:39.

3. Though nobody prays for such situation as that of Ruth and Orpah, however, is it possible to see such love as that of Ruth in our contemporary society? Discuss with life experiences and what you think or view as the bases for contemporary marriage union.

4. Compare Ruth 4:9-10 with Matt 1:5-16 and discuss the reward for Ruth’s passionate love for her late husband.

CONCLUSION: An intending couple should be able to ask themselves their personal views on marriage and their aim in marrying each other or what they hope to achieve as husband and wife· If the answer cannot justify the affirmation of Ruth in Ruth 1:16-17, then the marriage contract does not worth it; otherwise, it had already collapsed before the beginning.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Any reason short of Ruth 1:16-17 is never enough for marriage.

MEMORY VERSE: Ruth 1:16-17 “But Ruth said: "entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; for wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, and there will I be buried. The LORD do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me."