Slices
Prepare
Think of someone who models what it means to trust God. Ask the Lord to strengthen your trust in him.
Bible passage
Divorce
19 When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went into the region of Judea to the other side of the Jordan. 2 Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.
3 Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, ‘Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?’
4 ‘Haven’t you read,’ he replied, ‘that at the beginning the Creator “made them male and female,” 5 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? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.’
7 ‘Why then,’ they asked, ‘did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?’
8 Jesus replied, ‘Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. 9 I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.’
10 The disciples said to him, ‘If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.’
11 Jesus replied, ‘Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. 12 For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others – and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.’
The little children and Jesus
13 Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them.
14 Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’ 15 When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.
Explore
Judea, towards Jerusalem, followed by large crowds (vs 1,2). Pharisees came to test him. They tried to trap him with their question about divorce (v 3). He pointed them back to God’s original intentions for marriage (vs 4,5; see Genesis 1,2).
The Pharisees were unhappy with Jesus’ answer. If God’s intention was for marriage to be lifelong, why did Moses allow for divorce (see Deuteronomy 24:1–4)? Divorce was permitted by Moses because hard hearts caused relationship breakdowns (v 8). The disciples were discouraged (v 10). They felt that it was better not to marry at all. Look at verses 11 and 12. What is Jesus saying here about whether it is good to marry or remain celibate?
People wanted Jesus to pray for their children (vs 13–15). Why did the disciples tell those parents off? Jesus said the little children should be allowed to come to him (v 14). He held them up as examples of those to whom the kingdom of heaven belongs, because of their life, energy and joy. But in Jesus’ society, children were sometimes seen as worthless and marginalised, along with women, slaves, widows, the poor, the sick and sinners. He turned the world upside down by valuing the most the ones that his society valued the least.
Respond
Pray for anyone you know experiencing the pain of a broken relationship, or who is struggling to trust God.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Isaiah 63,64; Hebrews 13
Pray for Scripture Union
The schools work foundation course will be promoted during the autumn with the first group of participants starting their training early next year. Pray for effective promotion and that there will be a good uptake with many being better equipped to serve in schools.
A child has started following Jesus. Help them keep growing.
A child's decision to trust Jesus is a moment to celebrate, but it's also the beginning of a lifelong journey of discipleship. Journey to the Sacred Kingdom helps children aged 5–8 discover what it means to know God through his Word, grow in faith and walk with Jesus every day.
Following the adventures of Rock and River, children explore key Bible stories, discover who the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are and begin developing everyday faith habits through engaging reflections, colourful comics and interactive activities.
Give the young believers in your care a strong biblical foundation from the very beginning.
✓ Help new believers grow in God's Word
Introduce children to foundational biblical truths in a way they can understand, helping them build confidence in knowing God and following Jesus.
✓ Encourage faith that lasts beyond a single decision
Support children as they develop habits of prayer, Bible reading and trusting God, laying foundations for a lifelong relationship with Christ.
✓ A trusted discipleship resource for church and home
Perfect for parents, grandparents, children's leaders and churches seeking a biblically rooted follow-up resource after holiday clubs, children's ministry, family events, baptism or other moments when a child begins their journey with Jesus.
