Lesson 16

How does God want us to keep his gifts of sex and marriage pure?

How do some married people ruin God’s gift of marriage? Proverbs 21:19 Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and ill- tempered wife.

How do some married people ruin God’s gift of marriage? Colossians 3:19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. destroy the companionship

How do some married people ruin God’s gift of marriage? Hebrews 13:4 Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. be unfaithful

How do some married people ruin God’s gift of marriage? Matthew 19:9 I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery.”

How do some married people ruin God’s gift of marriage? 1 Corinthians 7:15 But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. divorce

Key Point #1 Some people sin against God’s gift of marriage by ruining their companionship, by being sexually unfaithful, or by getting an unscriptural divorce.

How do both married and unmarried people sin against God’s gift of sex? 1 Corinthians 7:9 But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion. have premarital sex

How do both married and unmarried people sin against God’s gift of sex? Matthew 5:27-28 You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

How do both married and unmarried people sin against God’s gift of sex? Ephesians 5:3-4,12 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. have impure thoughts or words

How do both married and unmarried people sin against God’s gift of sex? Romans 1:26-27 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. practice gay or lesbian homosexuality

Key Point #2 Married and unmarried people sin against God’s gift of sex by engaging in premarital sex, by having impure thoughts or words, or by practicing gay or lesbian homosexuality.

How does God want us to keep his gift of sex and marriage pure? 1 Timothy 5:22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

How does God want us to keep his gift of sex and marriage pure? 2 Timothy 2:22 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

How does God want us to keep his gift of sex and marriage pure? 1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.

How does God want us to keep his gift of sex and marriage pure? 1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

How does God want us to keep his gift of sex and marriage pure? Proverbs 1:10 My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them. flee temptation

How does God want us to keep his gift of sex and marriage pure? Psalm 51:10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

How does God want us to keep his gift of sex and marriage pure? Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy— think about such things. be pure in thoughts, words, and actions

How does God want us to keep his gift of sex and marriage pure? Ephesians 5:33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. Love and honor your marriage partner

Key Point #3 God wants us to be pure in thoughts, words, and actions.

Evaluate… Jeannie says, “The best gift I can give my husband on our wedding night is my virginity.”

Agree or Disagree? Flirting is harmless.

Discuss… Using the baseball analogy, which “base” is it OK to get to on a first date? How about on the hundredth date?

Evaluate… Melissa said, “I’ll dress any way I want to. If guys gawk and lust after me, it’s their own fault.”

Lesson 16 God wants me – married or single – to keep his gifts of sex and marriage pure in all things.

Vocabulary… “Adultery” Having sex with someone other than your spouse

Vocabulary… “Abandonment” One of the marriage partners physically or emotionally leaves the marriage

Vocabulary… “Pornography” Impure sexually-related material

Vocabulary… “Monogamy” Exclusive sexual relations between two people of the opposite sex

Vocabulary… “Homosexuality” Sexual relations between people of the same sex

Vocabulary… “Lesbianism” Sexual relations between two women

Vocabulary… “Masturbation” Touching yourself in a sexual manner, almost definitely involving sinful thoughts.