A Caring Community With a Global Vision to develop every person into a fully devoted follower of Christ
 
August 17, 2003
Rev. Rurel Ausley

Cherishing the Sacredness of Marriage
Ex.20:14; Gen.2:18, 21-25; Mt.19:6; 1 Cor.6:13-20; Mt.5:27-32; Eph.5:22-33.


1. In what public venue do you hear biblical morals espoused in a favorable light? In what public venue are morals such as the Ten Commandments taught? What does this say about the importance of the Church to stand fast on biblical sexuality? How are we being constantly bombarded with the opposite of biblical morality? Even though our culture has seemingly lost its way morally, what have been the consequences that are currently giving us our "social problems"?

2. Peruse Genesis 1:26—2:25. Whose idea was it to create "male and female"? Why is our sexuality not an "accident" or by "chance"? What differences are there between the male and female? What similarities? Why was the female created? (Gen. 2:18-23) What was God's intent from the beginning for the male and the female? (Gen. 2:24-25)

3. How does the relationship of a man and wife mirror our relationship with Jesus? (Eph. 5:22-33) Using our relationship with Christ and what He expects of us, what things can you learn about a marriage relationship in regard to faithfulness? Selflessness? Permanency? Monogamy? Purity? Exclusiveness? What do you learn about God's qualities here?

4. We spent this time to review the biblical teaching about marriage and family. As we understand what God has intended, we can better understand how Satan seeks to distort, corrupt, and destroy us through our sexuality. First of all, define "adultery"? What does this say about God's expectations of exclusivity in the marriage relationship? How devastating is adultery to the marriage relationship? (Matt. 5:32) What makes it so devastating? (Gen. 2:24) What does "one flesh" mean?

5. Just as Jesus took the act of murder and went to the "spirit of the law,” how did Jesus take the act of adultery and go to the "spirit of the law"? (Matt. 5:28, 29) How does sexual immorality begin in our hearts, thoughts, wishes and desires? Taking the "spirit of the law,” how does the Bible make it clear that all sexual immorality is wrong? (Heb. 13:4; Acts 15:20; Rom. 13:13; 1 Cor. 6:13; 1 Cor. 10:8; Eph. 5:3; 1 Thess.4:3) What Satan has done is to take God's good gift and plan and has sought to distort it to destroy us!

6. Let's discuss the distortions. First, how is sexual sin different from other sins? (1 Cor. 6:15-20) What have been the physical effects of sexuality immorality in our society? Psychological effects? This is very important: Will people involved in sexual sin inherit the Kingdom of God? (1 Cor. 6:9, 10; Gal. 5:19-21)

7. Why is homosexuality a distortion of God's plan? (Romans 1:18-28; 1 Cor. 6:9) What have been the physical effects of this? What about pornography? How is this a distortion of God's plan? (Matt. 5:28; Phil. 4:8) How do the media: TV, radio, and movies distort God's wonderful plan of marriage and family?

8. In what ways can we safeguard ourselves against sexual immorality? What systems of accountability might we set up to avoid tempting situations, like the Internet? What guidelines should we set up for movies? TV? Music? What personal guidelines do you set up for working with the opposite sex?

9. What do I do if I have become involved in sexual immorality? (1) Stop immediately, repent, and seek forgiveness from God. (2) If you are in an adulterous relationship, end it immediately. Repent and seek forgiveness. Seek out a counselor if necessary. (3) If you are living together… repent, seek forgiveness from God, and separate until you can marry. Our culture may not think much about these things, but they are grievous to God. (1 Cor. 6:9, 10)