(Message 4) “God created sex and He just wants me to be happy.” When culture acknowledges God in connection with sexuality, it’s often a super permissive version of a god that supports the prevailing view of sexuality in society. It’s true that God designed sex, but it’s also true that he has a specific design for it and communicates that design to us in scripture. Join us as we continue with our next message in our series, “It’s Complicated – Sex.” #GCItsComplicated
6 But ‘God made them male and female’ from the beginning of creation. 7 ‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, 8 and the two are united into one.’ Since they are no longer two but one, 9 let no one split apart what God has joined together.”
Proverbs 9:10 (NLT)
10 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.
Proverbs 7:6-27 (NLT)
6 While I was at the window of my house, looking through the curtain, 7 I saw some naive young men, and one in particular who lacked common sense.8 He was crossing the street near the house of an immoral woman, strolling down the path by her house. 9 It was at twilight, in the evening, as deep darkness fell. 10 The woman approached him, seductively dressed and sly of heart. 11 She was the brash, rebellious type, never content to stay at home. 12 She is often in the streets and markets, soliciting at every corner. 13 She threw her arms around him and kissed him, and with a brazen look she said, 14 “I’ve just made my peace offerings and fulfilled my vows. 15 You’re the one I was looking for! I came out to find you, and here you are! 16 My bed is spread with beautiful blankets, with colored sheets of Egyptian linen. 17 I’ve perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. 18 Come, let’s drink our fill of love until morning. Let’s enjoy each other’s caresses, 19 for my husband is not home. He’s away on a long trip. 20 He has taken a wallet full of money with him and won’t return until later this month. 21 So she seduced him with her pretty speech and enticed him with her flattery. 22 He followed her at once, like an ox going to the slaughter. He was like a stag caught in a trap, 23 awaiting the arrow that would pierce its heart. He was like a bird flying into a snare, little knowing it would cost him his life. 24 So listen to me, my sons, and pay attention to my words. 25 Don’t let your hearts stray away toward her. Don’t wander down her wayward path. 26 For she has been the ruin of many; many men have been her victims. 27 Her house is the road to the grave. Her bedroom is the den of death.
Start talking. Find a conversation starter for your group.
Have you ever been made fun of for something you can’t help? For example, your name, a physical feature, your level of income, etc. How did you react to it?
Start thinking. Ask a question to get your group thinking.
Read Mark 10:6-9. Discuss God’s plan for sexuality. How does God’s plan bring simplicity? How do you pursue that plan moving forward?
Read Proverbs 9:10. According to Troy, one of the greatest attributes we can have in our fight against sexual sin is the fear of God. How do we gain more of the fear of God in our lives?
Read Proverbs 7:6-21. Discuss the allure of the wayward wife. How did she use all the senses to draw her victim home? What did she mean in v.14 when she said that she had fulfilled her vows? How did she remove the accountability for their actions?
Finish reading the story in vs. 22-27. What did the 3 animals have in common? How do they resemble a person wandering into sexual sin?
Start sharing. Choose a question to create openness.
Do you sense that you are being asked to be more tolerant in all areas of sexuality (open marriages, homosexuality, transgender, movies with more nudity, etc…)? Where do you draw the line? Where do you get your standard of what is right and wrong sexually?
“Her house is a road to the grave and her bedroom is the den of death.” Have you or someone you know experienced that road? What were/are the consequences and pain that come with disobedience to God’s commands in this area?
How do you protect yourself and/or your marriage from sexual sin?How have your views on sex changed over time? What are the primary influences that have changed those views? How do those views align with what God says?
Start doing. Commit to a step and live it out this week.
This week, commit to identifying those areas where you aren’t being obedient to God’s word on sex.
Start praying. Be bold and pray with power.
Father, please guide and help us to seek your design for sex, convict us where we fall short and please strengthen us in our fight against temptation.-Amen
Here are some helpful tips. Most Smart TVs have an App or Channel Store or a way to search for applications to add to your TV or device. You’ll need to install either the “Vimeo” App or the “Facebook Watch” App. In some cases, you may need to have a Vimeo or Facebook account when installing these apps on your TV (you do NOT need an account when watching on the web).
The Vimeo App is available on the following devices:
Amazon Fire TV: search for “Vimeo” Samsung Smart TVs (2015 or newer) Apple TV (4th generation or newer): search for “Vimeo” in the App Store Android TV: search for “Vimeo” in the Google Play Store Roku: search for “Vimeo” in the Channel Store
*some helpful tips for locating us on Vimeo: • try searching for “Generations Church” under “People” or “Channels” rather than “Videos • link: vimeo.com/channels/generations
The Facebook Watch App is available on:
Samsung Smart TVs (2015 or newer) Amazon Fire TV: search for “Vimeo” Apple TV (4th generation or newer): search for “Vimeo” in the App Store Android TV: search for “Facebook Watch” in the Google Play Store Xbox One Oculus TV Portal TV
*some helpful tips for locating us on Facebook Watch: • search for “Generations Church” or “Generations Church NC” • link: facebook.com/GenerationsChurchNC
Note: If you don’t have one of the listed compatible platforms or prefer not to install the apps, you can stream Vimeo videos and Facebook videos from your iPhone/iPad and Android device to a TV:
Make sure your TV is connected to a streaming device (example: Apple TV, Chromecast or Samsung TV) and is on the same Wi-Fi network as your mobile device or computer.
Open Vimeo or the Facebook app on your mobile device or computer and find the video you’d like to stream.
Tap the video to expand it to full screen mode.
Tap in the top right of the video.
Select the TV/device where you’d like the video to play.