1. Chain the Catechism: A topical study through the Lutheran confessions The 6th Commandment: You shall not commit adultery. Memorization Verses: Mark 10:6-9 But from the beginning… Mat 19:9 I say to you, whoever divorces… Mt 5:28 But I say to you that whoever looks… 1 Cor 6:19-20 Or do you not know… Eph 5:21-23, 25 Submit to one another…

2. Write out society’s definition (stolen from popular culture/media/song lyrics/famous quotes) V. Scipture’s Definition Love is…

3. Write a love letter to Christ, your bridegroom. Prayer Activity

4. LSB#860 F-G|F.GA|B-A|GFG| 1. Gracious Savior, grant Your blessing To this husband and this wife, That in peace they live together In Your love throughout their life. Christ, defend them from the tempter And from all that would destroy Love's foundation You have laid here, And its threshold paved with joy. 2. Lord, if You are not the builder, Then the house is built in vain, For a home without Your presence Shall without true love remain. Yet when You within a marriage Come and dwell with grace divine, There You fill the empty vessels, Changing water into wine. 3. Cana's guest, this union hallow; Tenderly embrace this pair. Clothe this couple with the garments There will daily need to wear: Patience, kindness, and compassion, Gentleness, humility; Robe them, Lord, with love to bind them In a perfect unity. 4. Make their love a living picture Showing how You loved Your bride: When You gave Yourself to cleanse her, When for her You bled and died. Jesus, You have made her holy, Pure and fair her radiant train; To Yourself, Your Church presenting, Without wrinkle, spot, or stain. 5. Father, You created Adam, Crafted Eve, and made them one; Jesus, from their sin You saved us, As God's true incarnate Son; Holy Spirit, You forgive us; From our sins we are released. Bring us, Lord, at last to heaven, To the endless wedding feast.

5. The Kardashians: 500k for every year of marriage before divorce New car after every lease cycle 5k for beauty treatments Season courtside Laker tickets for the whole family Jessica Simpson: If she weighed more than 135 lbs., she loses 500k Nicole Kidman 650k a year pays out, except if cocaine is used Charlie Sheen Have to pay 4 mil. Bonus if he cheats Bizarre Celebrity Pre-nups

6. For some reason, “the sixth” is the only one of the commandments that is still widely known by its actual number. Extramarital carnal knowledge was probably more of a threat to society when families and tribes were closer-knit, and more bound by stern codes of honor. adultery continues to be a great source of misery and joy and fascination. Most criminal codes have long given up the attempt to make it a punishable offense in law: its rewards and punishments are carefully administered by its practitioners and victims. It perhaps does not deserve to be classed with murder or theft or perjury Discussion Quote

7. In 1920, there was 1 divorce for every 7 marriages. That is 14%. In 1940, there was 1 divorce for every 6 marriages. That is 17%.In 1960, there was 1 divorce for every 4 marriages. That is 25%.In 1972, there was 1 divorce for every 3 marriages.That is 33%.In 1977, there was 1 divorce for every 2 marriages. That is 50% Discussion Quote

8. s .P)n:t )lo s .P)n:t )low You shall not commit adultery The word P)anF(Naphah) in itself refers only to adultery in the narrow sense. Our broadening of the commandment to include fornication and other sexual sins rests on : Parallel passages of the Old Testament such as Leviticus 18 and 20 and Deuteronomy 22-25 Passages in the New Testament(lust in the heart, Romans, etc.) 6th Commandment: Exegesis

9. Marriage is the first human institution The relationship between husband and wife proceeds even that of Father and Mother, since parenthood stems from the union of the flesh. The union of the flesh (sex) is a bond that is irreversable, both physiologically (conception) and spiritually. Marriage is the first foundation for God’s covenant faithfulness God and His church are related in marital terms Unfaithfulness to God is likened to Marital unfaithfulness in damage, insult, and impact 6th Commandment: Background/Importance

10. Therefore, there existed stern consequences for adultery in the Sinaitic covenant. Foundation for all of society, including faith, family and economics There exists strong enmity between sexes due to sin and the fall, prompting the command from God Because of the differences between the roles of the genders after the fall (curses), temptations will exist for everyone. 6th Commandment: Background/Importance

11. Adultery in the narrow sense: Vows that are broken destroy the basic institution of society Adultery in the broad sense: Any form of sexual misconduct that undermines the preservation of marriage, including: Fornication Homosexuality Lusting in the heart 6th Commandment: Abuses

12. In the modern church/society, we tend to make a distinction between adultery and fornication as separate entities However, the scriptures do not make a clear distinction between intercourse and marriage Rather, the marriage is the joining of each to one flesh, which is only ritualized for posterity/society. Therefore, sexual misconduct is incredibly offensive to God because it is functionally equal to divorce and the renting of flesh 6th Commandment: What is the sin?

13. Acknowledgement of guilt I lay no more guilt on the homosexual than I do my own indiscretions and lusting I actively seek to restore marriage beyond the scope of political acceptability (no fault divorce, pre-nups, etc.) Realize the purity of Christ as the perfect bridegroom He removes the stain of infidelity to our God by his perfect obedience and love He sacrifices for the church as we sacrifice for one another in marriage. I strive to lead a godly life as a husband or wife through: Proper means of affection Prayer and studying scriptures together Building up of one another in public and in private The sharing of gifts, assets, and honest communication 6th Commandment: Fulfillments

14. Research Teams: The 6th CommandmentYou shall not commit adultery.What does this mean?We should fear and love God so that we lead a sexually pure and decent life in what we say and do, and husband and wife love and honor each other. Questions: How do we lead a sexually pure and decent life? What does God forbid in the 6th? What does God require in the 6th? and especially of married people? Teams: SS: A Sexually Pure and Descent Life M: Divorce Forbidden T: Forbidden Practice W: What is Required Th: Required for Married

15. SS. How do we lead a sexually pure and decent life? We believe: We lead a sexually pure and decent life when we consider sexuality to be a good gift of God; honor marriage as God's institution, the lifelong union of one man and one woman; reserve sexual intercourse for the marriage partner alone; control sexual urges in a God-pleasing way. Gen. 1:27, 31 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. .. . God saw all that He had made, and it was very good. Gen. 2:24-25 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be~ united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame. Mark 10:6-9 At the beginning of creation God "made them male and female." For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate. Heb. 13:4 Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. Titus 2:11-12 The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. I Thess. 4:1-7 Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.

16. SS. How do we lead a sexually pure and decent life? Pray: O Lord, You are a God of holiness. You hate everything immoral and unclean. You have sternly commanded me not to commit adultery. You will condemn all whoremongers and adulterers. Behold, I am born of an impure race. My thoughts easily drift to what is unclean. Help me to fight the battle against my flesh and blood. Create in me a clean heart. Let your Holy Spirit so fill me with fear and love for You that I find the strength to lead a chase and descent life in word and deed; through Jesus, my Redeemer. Amen. (Paul Bente, 1886-1957). It grieves me, O my Lord and Savior, that I am so unclean. Cover my impurity with Your purity in the sight of Your Father, who through You is also my Father. And graciously grant me Your Holy Spirit, that by His almighty help and power I may control the evil desires within me, until the light of Your countenance shall completely dispel all the darkness within me. Amen. (C.M. Zorn, 1846-1928).

17. M. What does god forbid in the 6th command? (Divorce) We believe: God forbids divorce except for marital unfaithfulness (adultery or desertion). Matt. 19:6 They are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate. Matt. 19:9 Anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery. 1 Cor. 7:15 If the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances. David committed adultery with the wife of Uriah (2 Samuel 11). Herod took his brother's wife (Mark 6:18). Pray: My dear and faithful Father, I thank You for Your grace and goodness. In this commandment You take into your care and keeping my husband, servant, wife, daughter, and maidservant. You command that no one is to disgrace them. You protect me and are firm with me. For You desire chastity and will not permit adultery. We daily see how Your anger finally seizes and miserably destroys all lustful and impenitent persons. If not, it would be impossible in the presence of the devil to keep wife, child, and servant descent and respectable for one hour. There would be open lewdness and beastly conduct, like when You withhold Your hand from them in anger and do permit vice to run wild. Amen. (Luther).

18. T. What does god forbid in the 6th command? We believe: God forbids sexual intercourse between unmarried persons. God forbids sexual sins such as rape, homosexual activity, incest, sexual child abuse, obscenity, and the use of pornographic materials. God forbids sexually impure thoughts and desires. 1 Cor. 6:18 Flee from sexual immorality. 1 Cor. 6:9-10 Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders ... will enter the kingdom of God. Rom. 1:24, 26-27 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.... Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. 1 Cor. 6:9-10 Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. Matt. 5:28 I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matt. 15:19 Out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.

19. T. What does god forbid in the 6th command? Pray: Dear God, here You teach me again what You contemplate and desire of me, that I should be chaste, orderly, and temperate in thoughts, words, and deeds. I must not disgrace any man’s wife, daughter, or maidservant, but should help, rescue, and protect them, and do what is necessary to maintain both their honor and discipline. I am also to help stop all idle talk that will rob them of their decency. For I am responsible, because You insist that I must honor my neighbor’s family, and also that I am duty bound to help him keep and guard their discipline and respect. I should do this as I would have him do to me, so that he would keep this commandment toward me and mire. Teach me to pray: Our Father who are in heaven….Amen. (Luther). I acknowledge and confess my sins before You and all the world. I have sinned against this commandment throughout my life in thoughts, words, and deeds. I have not only been ungrateful for this excellent gift and principle but I have even spoken against You for commanding such purity and discipline and for not permitting any kind of prostitution and unchastity to go free and unpunished. The sins against this commandment, such as marriage despised, mocked, and condemned, are open and shameless. They are shameless and are the most obvious of all sins. This grieves me. I am a sinner; You are righteous. I pour forth a stream of sin; but You are all fullness and righteousness.

20. W. What does God require of us in the 6th command? We believe: God requires us to avoid all temptations to sexual sin. God requires us to be clean in what we think and say. God requires us to use our sexuality in ways pleasing to Him. Gen. 39:9 How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God? 1 Cor. 6:18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Eph. 5:3-4 Among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. Phil. 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praise-worthy-think about such things. 1 Cor. 6:19-20 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. Pray: O Lord God, who has created man and woman and has ordained them for the marriage bond, making them fruitful by Your blessing and has typified therein the sacramental union of Your dear Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the church, His bride, we beg Your infinite goodness and mercy that You will not permit this Your creation, ordinance, and blessing to be disturbed or destroyed but will graciously preserve the same, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

21. Th. What does God require especially of married people? We believe: God requires married people to love, honor, and respect each other. The wife is the husband's God-given helper, and the husband is the wife's God-given head. Gen. 2:18 The Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.“ 1 Cor. 7:4 The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. Eph. 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Eph. 5:21-23, 25 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior.... Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her. Pray: Dear God, you instituted marriage. Give me, Your poor child, a devout wife (husband), so that I may live honestly and peaceably in true love. May my will be hers (his) and her (his) will be mine. Choose for me one with whom I may serve You, and by faith and prayer overcome any trials of married life. Amen. (Luther).

22. Conclusion Questions: How do we lead a sexually pure and decent life? What does God forbid in the 6th? What does God require in the 6th? and especially of married people? Answers: We lead a sexually pure and decent life when we consider sexuality to be a good gift of God; honor marriage as God's institution, the lifelong union of one man and one woman; reserve sexual intercourse for the marriage partner alone; control sexual urges in a God-pleasing way. God forbids divorce except for marital unfaithfulness (adultery or desertion). God forbids sexual intercourse between unmarried persons. God forbids sexual sins such as rape, homosexual activity, incest, sexual child abuse, obscenity, and the use of pornographic materials. God forbids sexually impure thoughts and desires. God requires us to avoid all temptations to sexual sin. God requires us to be clean in what we think and say. God requires us to use our sexuality in ways pleasing to Him. God requires married people to love, honor, and respect each other. The wife is the husband's God-given helper, and the husband is the wife's God-given head.

23. The 7th Commandment: You shall not steal. Next Week…