Goals
1. To educate students on what the Bible says about sex, marriage, and the Christ-follower’s perspective on each
2. To allow students to be honest about where they are in terms of their own sexuality and recognize changes in attitude and behavior that they need to make in order to align themselves with the Lordship of Jesus
3. To inspire students to honor Christ with their lives and not themselves when it comes to sexuality
Topics
Emotions, Feelings, Morals, Purity, Relationships, Self-control, Temptation
Scripture Memorization
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
OPENING PRAYER (5 to 10 minutes)
GROUP BUILDING (5 minutes)
General Discussion:
• What kind of guy/girl do you find yourself being interested in?
• What kind of guy/girl do you see yourself marrying someday?
• Are there any differences in your two answers? Why do you think that is?
• Are you comfortable talking about this kind of stuff? Why/why not?
GETTING STARTED (5 minutes)
(Only spend a few minutes here, so you can spend the bulk of your time considering the scriptures rather than cultural standards regarding sexuality.)
General Discussion:
• Would you say that you feel comfortable talking about sex in church? Why or why not?
• Would you say that you feel comfortable talking about sex with your parents?
• How often do you think about the opposite sex, getting married someday, etc.?
• Where do you get most of your information and education about sex, marriage, and how to think about sexuality? Is that a reliable source?
The truth is; the Bible says a lot about our sexuality. We’re going to look at a long passage of Scripture today that deals with it. One rule today—don’t feel weird. It’s okay to laugh, wonder, and be honest. Jesus wants to be the Lord of our whole lives—even our sexuality.
DIGGING IN (30 minutes)
(There is a lot of territory to cover today, don’t worry if you are not able to get to everything. Let the conversation go where the students take it. Your leading today should be a “felt need” kind. Let conversations go deep rather than covering a lot of ground in a shallow way.)
1. SEX CAN BE CORRUPTED
Read 1 Corinthians 6:12-20
This passage is about sexual immorality outside of marriage. None of you here today is married, so we should probably pay attention. The basic idea here is that sex can be corrupted.
Discussion Questions:
1. What do you think verse 12 means?
2. According to verse 13, your body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord. How can you devote your body to the Lord?
3. What are some things that are considered “sexually immoral?” (Anything that is not heterosexual sex within the boundaries of a marriage covenant)
4. How can verse 15 be true?
5. What is Paul’s instruction in verse 18 concerning sexual immorality? (To flee from it)
6. What do you think fleeing looks like? What does it NOT look like?
7. Verse 19 is a great one for us to memorize. What do you think it means to realize “you are not your own?”
8. What is the “price” mentioned in verse 20? (Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross)
9. In light of Christ’s sacrifice, what are we to do? (Honor God with our body)
10. Do you think this is an unreasonable request? Why/why not?
2. SEX IS NOT INHERENTLY BAD
Read 1 Corinthians 7:1-7
This is about appropriate sexual behavior within marriage. Someday, a lot of you are going to get married. Here’s some stuff you need to know. The basic idea here is that sex is not inherently bad.
Discussion Questions:
1. Why do you think Paul says it is good for a man not to marry?
2. What do you think the use of “each” and “his/her own,” indicate in verse 2? (That polygamy is not allowed, adultery is not permitted, etc.)
3. What do you think Paul means by “marital duty” in verse 3? (Married couples should have sex. To not have that kind of intimacy in marriage is just as wrong as having it outside of marriage)
4. On what grounds does Paul base this teaching, according to verse 4? (That the two people are not individuals, but belong to the other)
5. Why does Paul recommend that married couples not go too long without having sexual intimacy, according to verse 5? (Because Satan will tempt and trick them into false ideas about sex)
3. SEX IS NOT EVERYTHING
Read 1 Corinthians 7:8-9; 36-40
This is about appropriate sexual behavior for unmarried people. Some of you may feel that God is calling you to remain single. The basic idea here is that sex is not everything.
Discussion Questions:
1. What does Paul say about being single in verse 8? (That it is a good thing)
2. What is one reason they should get married? (So they don’t commit sexual immorality)
3. According to verses 36-40, is getting married wrong? Why or why not? (No)
4. In those same verses, is staying single wrong? Why or why not? (No)
If being married is not wrong and being single is not wrong, we need to conclude that our status is not what’s important. It is our heart that matters. There is a good reason to marry—to marry for Jesus. There is also a good reason to stay single—to be single for Jesus. To do anything besides those two things is where we get into trouble.
4. DIVORCE HURTS PEOPLE
That leads us to the next point, which is about divorce and separation. This is usually born out of selfishness or abuse of some kind—not a compulsion to honor Christ. It is also something that has affected a lot of us in this group. Let’s see what the Bible has to say about it.
Read 1 Corinthians 7:10-24
The basic idea here is quite simple. Divorce hurts people!
Discussion Questions:
1. Does Paul say it is okay for a wife to separate from her husband in verse 10? (No)
2. If she does, is it okay for her to be remarried? (No, see verse 11)
3. Should a husband divorce his wife? Why or why not? (No, see verse 12)
4. If one spouse is a believer and the other is not, what should they do according to verses 12-16? (Stay faithful, hoping that they might bring salvation to their spouse)
5. Why do you think Paul gives this instruction? How can divorce hurt people? How does it hurt kids? How has it hurt you?
5. THERE ARE MORE URGENT THINGS TO LIVE FOR
Read 1 Corinthians 7:25-31
These are instructions for young women and men. The main point here is that when you are young, you have more urgent things to live for.
Discussion Questions:
1. Why does Paul give the suggestion that he does here? (Because married people will face many troubles)
2. Why is this so urgent to him? (Because time is short, the world is passing away)
3. How is this advice useful to you as a teenager?
6. MARRIAGE IS HARD
Read 1 Corinthians 7:32-35
This is about marriage and ministry. Some of you might grow up and feel called to serve the Lord in ministry as well as be married. Paul addresses this special situation. The main point here is that marriage is hard.
Discussion Questions:
1. A married person’s interests are always what, according to verses 33-34? (Divided between the Kingdom and the world)
2. Should this division restrict people from getting married? (No, see verse 35. It is simply meant as a protection and as awareness)
3. In what ways to you imagine marriage being difficult?
4. Do you think it is possible for married people to serve the Lord together? What would that look like?
MAKING IT REAL (10 minutes)
We’re going to do something a little different here. As we went through our study, something may have struck a chord with you. Maybe it was the conviction that you are not living a sexually pure life. Or maybe you were hit hard with the truth of your parent’s divorce. Maybe you heard a little voice in your head that makes you wonder if God might be calling you to be single. We are going to revisit the six points about sex and marriage discussed earlier. As we do, I would like for some of you to speak up and share a little about what you are feeling as it relates to each one.
STRIKE A CORD
(State each point one by one, pausing after each. Expect some silence at first. God willing, students will take this time of open conversation to personalize these truths for their lives. It is impossible to predict where this will go, but it could turn into some honest, Christ-centered moments.)
1. Sex can be corrupted:
How has sex been corrupted by our society, especially in youth culture?
2. Sex is not inherently bad:
Why do you think people think of sex as bad? How is that not what God had in mind?
How can your life be about redeeming sex and making it a God-honoring thing?
3. Sex is not everything:
What are some things that are more important than sex? Why is it hard to think about those things in a sex-saturated world?
4. Divorce hurts people:
How has divorce affected you? What can you do to prepare yourself for a fully committed, life-long marriage down the road?
5. There are more urgent things to live for:
As a young man or a young woman, what should be the most urgent pursuit of your life?
6. Marriage is hard:
How can you prepare to serve God and be married starting right now?
CLOSING PRAYER (2 minutes)
Pray for your students by name. There may be some specific things that have arisen to pray about. Pray for forgiveness, healing, and strength to do what is right. Pray that they will be like Jesus.