THE MEANING OF A HAPPY MARRIAGE

Matthew 19:1-15
Key Verses: 19:4-5

     "'Haven't you read,' he replied, 'that at the beginning the
     Creator "made them male and female," and said, "For this reason a
     man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,
     and the two will become one flesh"?'"


1.  As Jesus traveled on toward Jerusalem where was he and what was he
   doing?  (1,2)  Who approached him and with what question? (3) Why
   did they want to test him and how was their question a test?

2.  What does their question reveal about their view of marriage and of
   women?  Read verses 4-6. What was Jesus' answer? What did Jesus
   teach about the meaning of marriage?

3.  Read verses 7-9. What was the Pharisees' idea about Moses' law and
   divorce?  How was Moses' situation different? According to Jesus,
   why did Moses give a law about divorce? Why do most people want to
   divorce their spouses? (9)

4.  Read verses 10-12. What was the disciples' reaction? What was their
    misunderstanding of marriage? Why are some people afraid of marriage?
   What did Jesus teach them about the renunciation of marriage?

5.  Read verses 13-15. While they were talking, who interrupted? How
   were the disciples different from Jesus in their response? What did
   Jesus say and do?  What does it mean to come to Jesus like a little
   child?