Insight: Marriage between a man and a woman is the image of God's marriage to His church. Jesus speaks on this topic to show how divorce goes against God's design for marriage. Some of the rabbis in Jesus' time had interpreted Moses' words on divorce from Deuteronomy 24:1-4 to mean that a man could divorce his wife for any reason, even for something as simple as serving a bad meal. Jesus again didn't contradict God's laws but interpreted them for the people.

1. What does this passage say to you?

2. How can you continue to pursue your spouse or significant other in difficult times?

3. How have you been affected by divorce?

4. What is your typical response to relationship struggles? How can you bring God into them?

5. How might experiencing God's faithfulness help someone navigate difficulties in marriage or relationships?

6. Culture today has made marriage a disposable institution that can be broken up quickly and easily. How can we, as Christians, combat this in a loving way?

7. How would you paraphrase this passage in your own words?

8. Why do people make oaths or say I swear in addition to whatever they say?

9. Some people during this time would swear by anything but God to avoid taking His name in vain. Jesus made it clear that this wasn't correct because God created everything. How does this change your view on making an oath?

10. Jesus said to say Yes or No rather than swearing by anything. Your word should be strength. What might help people believe or accept your words as truth?

11. Oaths are still a part of the Bible, so this isn't a blanket prohibition (Luke 1:73, Matthew 26:63- 64, Romans 1:9). What oaths or vows did Jesus permit in this passage?

12. Spend time with the Father, asking Him what He wants you to know from this passage. Listen for His response and write down what you hear.

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Additional Study Tools
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