God & Sex: The Future of Sex – A Wisdom For Now (08.19.19)
Opening Silence
Open in prayer and then sit in 3 minutes of silence to shift focus toward this time of seeking God and practicing the way of Jesus.
Our Background
As a church, we are committed to letting Ephesians 4:2-6 guide how we interact with the Spirit and one another — including when we talk about topics like sex.
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:2-6)
In light of this, here is an exercise to help us in understanding our collective background around God and sex.
- Slowly read through the statements below as a group.
- In a spirit of courage and openness, raise your hand if you can resonate with any of the statements as they are read.
- Group members should silently observe the rest of the group’s experiences and background.
- Limit conversation to a minimum until the end of the exercise, but remember the thoughts, feelings, and questions that come up for follow-up conversation.
Read each statement slowly, and if you’re comfortable doing so, raise your hand if you agree with, relate to, or identify with the statement:
- I grew up in the church.
- I did not grow up in the church.
- The church I grew up in consistently taught about sex.
- The church I grew up in did not teach about sex that much.
- I feel like I have a clear understanding of the Bible’s teaching on sex.
- I feel like I don’t have a clear understanding of the Bible’s teaching on sex.
- I feel like the church talks about sex too much.
- I feel like the church doesn’t talk about sex enough.
- I’m nervous about our church’s series on sex.
- I’m excited about our church’s series on sex.
- I feel indifferent about our church’s series on sex.
- I have people in my life with whom I can have open conversations about sex.
- I do not believe I have people in my life with whom I can have open conversations about sex.
- I can see the ways the Holy Spirit has influenced my understanding of or practices around sex.
- I can see the ways non-Christian culture has influenced my understanding of or practices around sex.
- I or someone I am close to has experienced confusion around sex.
- I or someone I am close to has experienced pain around sex.
- I or someone I am close to has experienced addiction to sex and/or pornography.
- I or someone I am close to would say they have made regretable mistakes around sex.
- I or someone I am close to would say they have experienced healing around sexual hurts or brokenness.
- I am open to the Holy Spirit transforming my understanding and practice around sex.
- I want to learn more about a Biblical view of sex and sexuality.
Take some time to discuss what you noticed about your community through this exercise. After discussing, have a few people pray for your group.
Hearing & Responding to Scripture
Slowly read through this Sunday’s core teaching Scripture: Genesis 1:26-30.
Prayerfully reflect with these questions for 5-10 minutes, and discuss with a partner or group:
- What stood out or surprised you in this passage of Scripture?
- What might God be trying to communicate to His people and to you specifically through this Scripture about His created intention for humanity?
- One point in Sunday’s teaching is that sex is about a desire to overcome isolation and be transcendently reconnected to everything, as in Genesis 1. If this is true, how does this influence your understanding of sex?
Intercessory Prayer
Take a moment to intercede in prayer for one another, for those you know who need prayer, and for God’s will to be done in our city.