Physical Purity - This weeks purity devotion time

Posted Mon, 11/02/2009 - 1:53pm by Attic Student M...

Physical Purity (sexual purity) click to read more. . .

If you missed this sunday night here are some of the notes from the class.

 

There were some things that we discussed on the chalk board and dry erase board that are not in here. If you are interested in know about those please ask Moe for more info, on what you missed.

Genesis 2 : 19 - 25

1 Thessalonians 4 : 3 - 8
1 Corinthians 6 : 18-20 flee from sexual immorality
 
 
Objective : Help students understand a biblical approach to sex and our bodies (physical purity)
 
1. Is sex wrong?
2. Then why do so many people talk about it?
3. If it is so great then why do Christians make such a big deal about being abstinent?
4. Sex is not wrong . . . when it is in the context of marriage which is God's design for sex. As we look at Genesis Adam and Eve were given the ability to be intimate
 a. Why did God create the woman in the first place?
 b. What do you think the man meant when he said this one at last is bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh?
 c. What does it mean to become one flesh? How is that possible?
 d. Why was there no shame in the beginning?
 e. What does this passage teach us about sexuality?
5. God wants us to know that sex is a gift! But, unlike what we are taught in our culture, that gift is only to be enjoyed in the context and covenant relationship of marriage between a man and a woman. 
 a. If this is the case, then why do people still choose to be sexually involved before marriage?
      1. What are some excuses that you guys either use or have heard others use?
           
     2. Do those excuses make it ok to be sexually involved before marriage?
 
Consequences:
Our media makes it difficult to remain sexually pure by a lot of the messages that it sends to us in the commercials, TV shows, movies, and music one of which is that there are no consequences to sex outside of marriage.
Think of any of the shows, commercials, movies, music, etc; not too long; now think how many of them portray any consequences. Most often the consequences of sexual involvement before marriage are left out in these messages because the truth is our society is a fallen society and does not follow after the teachings of Christ in whole. There for the pain associated with such intimacy outside of marriage is avoided. The emptiness is avoided. The security is avoided. The commitment is avoided. The fact that you are sinning against yourself, the other person, and God himself all at once is avoided. In the truth of sexual involvement there are consequences. 
    A. Physical consequences: (some that are possible, all are not listed)
         1. Pregnancy
         2. STD
     B. Emotional consequences: (some that are possible, all are not listed)
          1. Loss of respect
          2. Loss of trust
          3. Baggage for your actual future marriage
     C. Spiritual  consequences : (some that are possible, all are not listed)
          1. Guilt
          2. Shame
          3. Loss of fellowship with God
          4. Loss of your ability to share as a witness for Christ
          5. Loss of reputation
You need to be future based in your relationships. You can't just live like you have forever to make it up. You have to make wise decisions. You have to think bigger than just yourself. You have to think further than just right now.
The consequences of pre-marital sexual involvement are far reaching. As we think about some of the things we listed as consequences, think about whether or not some are immediate, future or both. Are they really worth it? As followers of Christ, as ambassadors (one that represents The One true God who came in the flesh), is it really worth it?

God gives us a standard to live by. 
1 Thessalonians 4 : 3-7
What is the most important sentence in this passage to you?
What are some ways that you guys exhibit self control each day?
     1. Not mouthing off to your parents when you may feel like it because you know what us expected of you
     2. Not saying something to be mean to a friend just to get back at them because you value the relationship overall
     3. Thinking about cheating on a test but choosing to be honest instead for fear of the risk of getting caught
     4. Thinking of a five finger discount on the new cd that just came out that you really want, but choosing to pay for it instead because you realize what? That there are consequences for your actions, well the same applies to physical and sexual in involvement before marriage.

Practical guidelines for developing self control involving sexual thoughts or acts
   1. Clothing is never “optional”
   2. Any part of the body that is (or should be covered) is off limits
   3. If you can't talk to your parents about what happened on your date, then you shouldn't do it
   4. Ask yourself if you would seriously want your son or daughter to act this way or if you were a different guy/girl, would you want your girlfriend/boyfriend to act this way for the other guy/girl? The reason I say this, is because until the two of you make a covenant before God (which is called marriage) she is not yours and you are not hers.
   5. Ask yourself, am I honoring this girl/guy and God in my actions towards him/her?
 
Are these practical guidelines?
 
Boundaries and knowing your own boundaries in advance can help you to keep yourself guarded against falling into temptation and also, if you are in a relationship and you are upfront about what God expects from both of you and that in order to help meet those expectations you have a few rules and guidelines in place that you are not going to cross or tempt the line out of respect for him/her and to honor God, it takes a lot of the pressure off of the relationship and allows you to more better to get to know each other and enjoy the real person that is there with you instead of just as an object of your fleshly desires.

Redemption:
1John 1 : 19
Some of you may think that none of this applies to you because you may have already gone too far or even lost your virginity. However, we serve a forgiving God. You will have to spend time on your own and seek God's forgiveness.
 
Praying for you all,
Corey & Moe