RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER’S MANUAL 11 APRIL 2021

TOPIC: PREMARITAL COHABITATION

OFENING PRAYER: Father, please let my life be pleasing to you.

BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, 18-20

MEMORY VERSE: “But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.”1Cor. 7:2 (NKJV).

LESSON INTRODUCTION: Cohabitation is not a modern trend. It dates back through most of history. In the Roman city of Corinth, sex outside of marriage was common, so much so that the converts to Christianity had written to the Apostle Paul about the problem.

His reply is in 1 Corinthians 7:1-3. Paul instructed that to avoid fornication, every man should have his wife and vice versa. This menace is becoming rampant in our society today.

TEXT REVIEW: 1Corinthians 6:9-10, 18-20.

READ >> OPEN HEAVENS 11 APRIL 2021

LESSON OUTLINES

LESSON OUTLINE 1: MEANING AND REASONS
Teacher should allow the youths bear their mind on the subject of cohabitation and guide the class through the following:

A. Meaning of the term ‘cohabitation’
i. In this context, the word “cohabitation” refers to the practice of a man and a woman living together and sharing the intimacy of sex, without being legally married.
ii. It entails using ‘a husband and wife model’ without being legally married (Heb 13:4).
iii. In some circles, especially among youths or young adults on campuses, it is erroneously called ‘couples life.
iv. There is also a new dimension of opposite sexes living in the same apartment (sometimes due to job placement/transfer and high cost of
accommodation), having different rooms but sharing common facilities (sitting room, kitchen, bathroom, etc.). They can be referred to as ‘Diaspora or away couples

B. Reasons for cohabitation: People of the opposite sex cohabit for some reasons: financial struggle, test of compatibility, trial or experimental marriage, social or cultural practices, abuse of liberty, ignorance of the consequences, etc.

C. Biblical standpoint: Living together before or outside of marriage, for whatever reason, is ungodly and should not be practiced or encouraged by believers (Rom 1:21-22,32).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Discuss the varieties of cohabitation trending among youths.

LESSON OUTLINE 2: CONSEQUENCES AND REMEDIES
Teacher should let the class bear their mind on the evils associated with the act of cohabitation and guide the class through:
A.The Consequences of Premarital cohabitation:
i. Premarital cohabitation primarily exposes the man and woman to self-imposed temptations, prominent among which is sexual immorality (Acts 15:20; Rom.13:14; 1 Cor 5:1; 6:13; Eph. 5:3).
ii. There is also the problem of appearances: an unmarried couple, living together, is assumed to be having sexual intimacy. Even if that is not the case, the appearance of sin is there (1 Thess. 5:22; Eph.5:3)
iii. Those in the act of premarital cohabitation put themselves in a compromising position where emotions and availabilities can combine for sinful effect.
iv. Premarital cohabitation can cause others to stumble or be offended (1 Cor 8:9; 10:31-32)
v. By living together, they would have created a bond so strong that it can only be severed with a ‘heart-slicing knife’, resulting in intense (sometimes lifelong) pain for both partners.
vi. Should either partner later get married to somebody else, their spouse will experience the pain of knowing they are the 2nd/3rd/4th/5th person on their spouse’s list of live-in partners.
vii. Premarital cohabitation sucks the novelty, joy, and fantastic feeling out of the days, weeks, months, and years following the big day. Nothing is really new except ‘the cloth and the jewelleries
viii. Ultimately, it is dishonouring to God and a contamination of the temple of the Holy Spirit (a believer’s body) for a man and a woman to live together before or outside of marriage (Heb 13:4; 1Cor.6:19).
ix. Premarital cohabitation reverses God’s order (Gen.2:24)
x. Productive life-time would have been wasted with a person that one may not eventually get married to.
xi. Emotional trauma (as a result of rejection, depression, obsession, etc.) can also set in after an eventual breakup.
xii. Many destinies have been destroyed through cohabitation.
xiii. Unplanned pregnancies and abortion usually accompany cohabitation.
xiv. Loss of interest in marriage as well as hindrance to potential suitors is imminent
xv. On the long run, there is a possibility of violence or untimely death.

REMEDIES:
i. In order to guide against the evil consequences of premarital cohabitation, we should be aware of our own tendencies towards sin.
ii. Rather than flirting with what could lead us into sin, we should take preventive measures to avoid sin (1 Thess 5:22).
iii.If you are already entangled in the act of premarital cohabitation, first, tell yourself the truth that ‘you are wrong’ (1 Cor.11:31-32) and repent whole heartedly (13n.1:8-9).
iv. Then, seek the attention of a Christian counsellor (Pro 11:14).
v. Break away from the act of cohabiting with the opposite sex (1 Cor.6:18).
vi. Cry to God for the grace to live a life that is pleasing to Him and to have a good testimony before men (Acts 24:16; Col 1:10).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: What counsel will you give to an unmarried couple cohabiting? Class should discuss.

SUMMARY: If you know what premarital cohabitation means and its grave consequences, you will not, for any reason, venture into it. If you are already entangled in it, acknowledge you are wrong and get out of it quickly.

CONCLUSION: Premarital cohabitation contradicts God’s idea of a union between a man and a woman. Hence, it is a sin that youths must guide against and repent of genuinely

EVALUATION: Teacher should ask the students to mention why it is dangerous to cohabit before or outside marriage.

CLOSING PRAYER: Father, please deliver me or any youth entangled in the ungodly act of cohabiting with the opposite sex.

ASSIGNMENT: 1f you are already entangled in the habit of premarital cohabitation partially or totally, break away from it this week, prayerfully and actively. If you know those in the habit, prayerfully talk them out of it.