Problems in Marriage: Divorce – JSS1 Christian Religious Studies Lesson Note (First Term)

Divorce is the legal ending of a marriage, usually because of a dispute or disagreement between husband and wife. Infertility is the inability of either the man or the woman to conceive and bear children. Both are problems in marriage. This lesson also lists the reasons marriages become unstable and the remedies that can help.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Define divorce and infertility.
2. Explain the difference between divorce and separation.
3. State reasons why some marriages become unstable.
4. List ways of resolving problems in marriage.

What are divorce and infertility?

Divorce

Divorce is the legal ending of a marriage. In other words, it is the legal separation between a husband and his wife, usually due to a dispute or disagreement. Divorce is a serious problem in Christian marriage. Christians must do everything to avoid it because it interrupts the destiny of man in God’s creation.

When a man and his wife are not living together due to disagreement or bad behaviour, and they have not been to a law court to dissolve their marriage, it is not divorce. It is simply separation.

Infertility

Infertility is another problem facing marriages. It means the inability of either the man or the woman to conceive and bear children. There are many reasons for this, such as ill-health, accidents and drug abuse.

Evaluation: divorce and infertility

1. Why are divorce and infertility problems in marriages?
2. Explain the meaning of infertility.

What are the reasons for unstable marriage?

1. Poor health
2. Unemployment
3. Poverty
4. Bad behaviour
5. Religious differences
6. Family problems
7. Bad friends
8. Drunkenness
9. Insanity
10. Problems from work

What are the remedies for unstable marriage?

1. Putting God first in all issues
2. Mutual understanding
3. True love and trust
4. Guidance and counselling
5. Good parental influence
6. Searching for godly knowledge
7. Good individual attitudes
8. Obedience to laws
9. Applying wisdom to resolve issues
10. Strong affinity and communication

Evaluation: reasons and remedies

1. State five problems facing marriages.
2. Highlight five methods to resolve problems at home.

General evaluation

1. How can infertility result in polygamy?
2. Briefly discuss any family problem you have experienced and give possible solutions to it.
3. What are the challenges of polygamy?
4. What is the best type of marriage for you?

Assignment

Weekend assignment

1. Which of these is not a problem at home? (a) anger (b) lies (c) doubt (d) age
2. Divorce means (a) legal probation of marriage (b) legal suspension of marriage (c) family ending of a marriage (d) legal ending of a marriage
3. The inability of either a man or woman to bear a child is called (a) childlessness (b) fruitfulness (c) infertility (d) ageism
4. The couple in monogamy comprises (a) a man and a woman (b) a man and a man (c) a woman and a woman (d) a woman and a son
5. Which of these marriages is encouraged by Christianity? (a) homosexual (b) monogamy (c) polygamy (d) lesbianism

Theory

1. Discuss the best type of marriage you know.
2. Marriage is good, yes or no! Discuss.