http://christiandivorce.1hwy.com/
For an extensive list of websites
on the topic of divorce, go to the following website, type in the word
divorce under search site and click on go http://www.bible.org
Regardless of whether or not you perform
weddings for divorced people, you are encouraged to love divorced and remarried people. Consider how Jesus was concerned for the welfare and salvation of a woman who had been married five times and then had asexual relationship outside of marriage (
John 4:4-30). Let us not single out one type of sinner as being different from others. Those who divorce and remarry are not the only adulterers, but also those who lust in their heart (
Matthew 5:28). All of us are guilty of sin, and must rely upon forgiveness in Christ.
As a pastor, you should provide premarital counseling to the prospective marriage partners. You will need to meet one or more times with the couple together. You may suggest that the couple consider a number of pre-marriage questions such as those given on the following websites. http://www.calvaryle.org/Premarital.pdf http://www.buzzle.com/articles/premarital-counseling-questions.html
It is important for the marriage candidates to communicate and agree on issues related to marriage prior to their getting married. So the man and woman should be encouraged to spend time discussing these premarital questions with each other prior to your final premarital counseling session. Marriage planning varies according to culture. In some cultures, a man and a woman each have complete freedom to decide who their spouse will be. In other cultures, the parents may choose a mate for their child.
Regardless of culture, a Christian should not marry a non-Christian (
2 Corinthians 6:14). A believer married to a nonbeliever is certain to experience conflict in the relationship. The couple will disagree on many issues including how to teach children in matters of faith, setting priorities for using financial resources, and following scriptural guidelines for the relationship between husband and wife. You have the responsibility to determine whether or not both the man and woman are professing Christians. Encourage the couple not to rush into marriage. Depending upon what is possible
within the cultural setting, it is good fora couple to spend a year prior to marriage getting to know each other. In your counseling, you may wish to emphasize about five key points for marital happiness. Following are suggestions that,
if implemented, will greatly increase the likelihood of a successful marriage.
1. As a couple, pray together out loud daily and have Bible study together daily.
Page 13 of PASTORAL MINISTRY - Assignments fora Pastor
1/7/2012
http://test.missionstraining.org/PastoralMinistry/Assignments.html