There are less instances of divorce among Christians but it still happens. This lesson explores some of the reasons Christians divorce, despite training and teaching to the contrary, and how to avoid this situation.

1. In Love for Life
Building or Rebuilding a Great Marriage
Mike Mazzalongo
#7 – Why Christians Divorce

2. Avoiding Divorce…
1. Understand what divorce is.

3. Gen. 2:24-25
For this reason a man shall leave his
father and his mother, and be joined
to his wife; and they shall become
25
one flesh. And the man and his wife
were both naked and were not
ashamed.
24

4. Matt. 19:9
And I say to you, whoever divorces
his wife, except for immorality, and
marries another woman commits
adultery.”
9

5. Divorce = Put Away / Loose / Untie

6. Divorce begins in the heart…
…ends in court.

7. Divorce Problem:
Glued to - Another Person
- Work, Hobbies
- Self (Independence)

8. Divorce Problem:
Unglued by - Sin
- Family
- Ambition

9. Avoiding Divorce…
1. Understand what divorce is.
2. Know what God thinks.

10. Mal. 2:16
For I hate divorce,” says the LORD,
the God of Israel, “and him who
covers his garment with wrong,” says
the LORD of hosts. “So take heed to
your spirit, that you do not deal
treacherously.”
16

11. Matt. 19:6
So they are no longer two, but one
flesh. What therefore God has joined
together, let no man separate.”
6

12. Heb. 13:4
Marriage is to be held in honor
among all, and the marriage bed is to
be undefiled; for fornicators and
adulterers God will judge.
4

13. Matt. 19:9
And I say to you, whoever divorces
his wife, except for immorality, and
marries another woman commits
adultery.”
9

14. I Cor. 7:15
Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let
him leave; the brother or the sister is
not under bondage in such cases, but
God has called us to peace.
15

15. Avoiding Divorce…
1. Understand what divorce is.
2. Know what God thinks.
3. Know how to keep the bond
strong.

16. Strengthening the bond requires:
A. Complete Honesty

17. Strengthening the bond requires:
A. Complete Honesty
B. Complete Fidelity

18. Strengthening the bond requires:
A. Complete Honesty
B. Complete Fidelity
C. Complete Submission

19. Prov. 31:30
Charm is deceitful and beauty is
vain, But a woman who fears
the LORD, she shall be praised.
30

20. Prov. 12:4
An excellent wife is the crown of her
husband, But she who shames him is
like rottenness in his bones.
4

21. Josh. 24:15
If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve
the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom
you will serve: whether the gods which your
fathers served which were beyond the River,
or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you
are living; but as for me and my house, we will
serve the LORD.”
15

22. Eph. 5:25
Husbands, love your wives, just as
Christ also loved the church and gave
Himself up for her,
25

23. Strengthening the bond requires:
A. Complete Honesty
B. Complete Fidelity
C. Complete Submission
D. Develop Spiritual Intimacy

24. Intimacy Roadblocks:
• Hectic schedules

25. Intimacy Roadblocks:
•
Hectic schedules
• Poor communication

26. Intimacy Roadblocks:
•
Hectic schedules
•
Poor communication
• Unresolved issues

27. Intimacy Roadblocks:
•
Hectic schedules
•
Poor communication
•
Unresolved issues
• Spiritual inferiority

28. Intimacy Roadblocks:
•
Hectic schedules
•
Poor communication
•
Unresolved issues
•
Spiritual inferiority
• Lack of spiritual experience

29. Intimacy Builders:
• Unconditional commitment

30. Intimacy Builders:
•
Unconditional commitment
• Caring atmosphere

31. Intimacy Builders:
•
Unconditional commitment
•
Caring atmosphere
• Honest communication

32. Intimacy Builders:
•
Unconditional commitment
•
Caring atmosphere
•
Honest communication
• Modelling

33. Intimacy Builders:
•
Unconditional commitment
•
Caring atmosphere
•
Honest communication
•
Modelling
• Understanding

34. Intimacy Builders:
• Active Listening

35. Intimacy Builders:
•
Active Listening
• Time Together

36. Intimacy Builders:
•
Active Listening
•
Time Together
• Check-in Time

37. Intimacy Builders:
•
Active Listening
•
Time Together
•
Check-in Time
• Bonding Times

38. We tie the knot at the wedding
We tighten the knot by developing
spiritual intimacy.

39. Divorce – Proofing Your Marriage
• Watch for danger signs.

40. Divorce – Proofing Your Marriage
• Watch for danger signs.
• Understand that it is wrong.

41. Divorce – Proofing Your Marriage
• Watch for danger signs.
• Understand that it is wrong.
• Work at keeping the bond strong.

42. While we are married, it’s never too
late to avoid Divorce!