Project – IMPLICATIONS BROKEN MARRIAGE ON CHILDREN IN CHRISTIAN FAMILIES

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

This chapter discusses the background to the study, statement of the problem, purpose of the study, significance of the study, delimitation of the study, limitation of the study, research questions, research methodology and finally definition of some important terms.

1.1    Background study

Broken marriage may well be one of the major problems facing the Church today. Ordinarily, an ideal marriage will remain united, undivided, and unbroken. This is the plan written by the mind of the Creator when He gave Eve to Adam as his permanent partner in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:24). Apostel Paul expressed the same view, when he recalled Christ’s prohibition of divorce:

To those, now married, however, I give this command (though it is not mine, it is the Lord’s) a wife must not separate from her husband. If she does separate, she must either remain single or become reconciled to him again. Similarly, a husband must not divorce his wife. (1 Cor. 7: 10-11)

This passage demonstrates that divorce is undesirable, and should not be permitted in the Christian communities. All efforts must be made to encourage couples to stay together or get back together, even when they have separated. However, the intention of this study is not to provide a solution to the social problems caused by marriage and divorce. Rather, the purpose of this study is to place the problem of marriage and divorce in a proper context with respect to the Foursquare Gospel Church, Mupin, Ota, Ogun State.

Broken marriage  connote the division or the separation of parent who have been together and suddenly divorce or terminated their relationship or untie the once agreed marriage knot after exchanging material vows and have lived together. Marriage is an institution that play very important role in the upbringing and the development of human beings, marriage is the joining together of two matured people who agree to spend their lifetime together. Thus taking joint care or responsibility over their children who are the fruits of the union. Marriage aids the realization of many basic individual needs such as the need for status. Companionship, procreation and the need to fulfilling sexual intimacy and satisfaction.

In fact the institution is gradually losing its standard value as statistics show that it is fast diminishing as many homes are broken. The problem of single parenthood is far alarming in our society and the explanations for broken marriage include among other thongs cheerlessness, parental interference, religious conflicts, poverty and poor mutual understanding. The Christian marriage is not just a mere marriage. Christian marriage is unique, and has been instituted by Christ as a Sacrament. Therefore, this indicates that any Christian marriage should reflect the mind of Christ. Above all, Christian marriage is indissoluble, and is guided by conjugal love. For this reason, it is important for yet to be Christian spouses to be fully and adequately instructed to the teachings of the Church.

Married Christian couples publicly agreed before the church to remain husband and wife for better or for worse, to remain faithful, and above all to love each other as Christ loves His Church. In marriage, two partners become one flesh, a concept that is predicated by love. The couples ought to love each other in Christ-like love. This love is boundless; it was for the love Christ had for the world that He was able to die for our sins. Christ remains the head of the Church, and He loves the church unconditionally. In a similar manner, the husband is considered the head of the family, and should love his wife and family unconditionally. However, the husband should not lord his headship over the wife, but must love and provide for the family. The husband should be prepared to give his entire life for his wife and children. He should work for them. However, this type of self-sacrifice can only be possible where conjugal love exists and prevails.

1.2    Statement Of The Problem

The issue of divorce is no longer an isolated issue nor a local issue but a global concern. Broken is one of the troublesome trends in our world today. The aim of the study is to investigate the causes of broken home and effects on Foursquare Gospel Church Mopin.  In the light of the problem above, the following research questions are asked:

1. What are the definitions of marriage and it origin?
2. What are the types of marriage

• What are the major factors that lead to a broken home?

1. What does the Bible say about marriage and broken home?
2. What is the role of the church in an attempt to address the challenge of broken home?

1.3    Purpose of the study

The purpose of this study is to investigate marriage and divorce among Christians. This study gives an overview of marriage and divorce in the Foursquare Gospel Church  Mupin. This study also examines marriage and divorce in early stage of the church, which indicates that the rate of divorce was particularly low compared to today. The purpose of this study is to understand this discrepancy. Another purpose of this study would be to encourage the Church to reconcile teaching with the real life situation of Christians. The application of the Biblical teachings on marriage and divorce to  Christians would be crucial for this research.

1.4    Significance of the study

The significance of this research is to investigate the Implications broken marriage on children in Christian families that are enduring their marriages rather thanenjoying it.

1. To explore the role of the church in maintaining and restoring stability in marriages
2. The study deals with some marital problems that if not properbly managed may lead to broken home.
3. To facilitate the entire broken home to re-adjust themselves
4. To put an end to the rates homes were broken, many men are living separately from their wives, parents do not relate well with their children while some children do notlive with their parents.
5. Make recommendations to alleviate the problem of broken home among church members.
6. To ensure harmony in many Christian families leading to rising of well behaved children.

To serve as reference material to other researchers on related topic.

1.5    Delimitation of the study

This research work focused specifically on the causes and effects of broken home in Fourchsquare Gospel Church, Mopin being a case study. It also covers the probable resolutions to this great challenge. Even though the research is based on the local church, as a casr study, yet the outcome, implications and recommendations are beneficial not only to the Christian families within the zone but also the non-churched families in general.

1.6    Research procedure

The research procedure of this project involved library research, reference to books, Bible, Dictionary, internet materials, online books, e-books, Wikipedia, past works of authors, Journals, Past project research as they relate to causes of broken home and effects on the church. Covenant University Library was also visited for library research. The field work includes the use of oral interviews of some individuals, groups and pastorate of Foursquare Gospel Church, Mupin Zonal Headquarter and some families in the church.

Oral interview was conducted, some questions covering aspect of research topics were used for collecting information. Questionnaires were carefully selected to obtain the correct and right information.

1.7    Limitation of the study

In the process of this research, many challenges confronted the reseacher as constraints toward the achievement of this work, the constraints include but not limited to:

1. Some questionnaires were not return to the researcher
2. Language barrier is a big challenge because some respondents were unable to interpret the question correctly
3. Some individual refused to answer the questions correctly in order to keep their secret.
4. Some respondents choose to ignore completely

In spite of all these limitations, the researcher tried to produce  a valuable project.

1.8    Definition of terms

1. Implications: The potential consequences or effects that arise from a particular situation or decision. In the context of a broken marriage, implications can refer to the emotional, financial, and social impacts on all parties involved, especially children.
2. Broken Marriage: A marriage that has deteriorated to the point where the partners no longer communicate effectively or are unable to resolve conflicts. This often leads to separation or divorce, resulting in significant emotional distress for both partners and any children involved.
3. Children: Young individuals, typically under the age of 18, who are dependent on adults for care and support. In the context of a broken marriage, children may experience emotional turmoil, changes in living arrangements, and shifts in their relationships with both parents.
4. Christian: A follower of Christianity, a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Christian teachings often emphasize the sanctity of marriage and may influence beliefs and practices regarding divorce and family dynamics.
5. Families: Social units typically consisting of parents and their children, though the structure can vary widely (e.g., single-parent families, blended families). Families are fundamental to societal functioning, and their dynamics can be deeply affected by issues such as broken marriages.

Project – IMPLICATIONS BROKEN MARRIAGE ON CHILDREN IN CHRISTIAN FAMILIES