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Honoring God with Our Bodies

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Dive (6-8)Year 2Unit 3 (Can't We All Just Get Along?)Session 3
3

Honoring God with Our Bodies

Focus
I'm called to keep myself pure and holy in body, mind, and soul and to treat others with dignity and respect.
Faith Nurture Goals
  • Affirm God's good plan for our sexuality.
  • Consider the harm that can come from ignoring this commandment, as well as the joy that can come from obeying it.
  • Identify ways to keep our lives pure.
Memory Challenge

Leader Reflection

Preparing to Tell God's Story

This is obviously a very delicate subject to approach, both for you as a teacher, wondering what kinds of questions and issues will arise, and for the young teens, who have a keen interest in the topic.

For the most part, the Bible deals with the subject of sexuality by stating boundaries, such as prohibiting adultery and fornication (sex outside marriage). But there is a less obvious but equally important biblical message. God made us male and female, with bodies suited for sex, not only for procreation but also for love and pleasure. Human sexuality isn't, therefore, first of all a problem but a gift. The problem comes, as it does with all God's gifts, when the gift is used in a way that defies God's plan, apart from the good boundaries God has set.

Sexuality makes its appearance very early in the Bible, in the ancient story of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden before the fall. When God presents Eve to Adam, Adam breaks out into song: "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh." The chapter ends by noting what we learn from this: "A man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh" (Genesis 2:24). While we know this is part of the original mandate to be fruitful and multiply (1:28), it's noteworthy that "one flesh" sexuality is featured here before sin enters the world, and on its own apart from procreation.

"They were both naked, and they felt no shame" (2:25). That ended with the fall into sin. Sexuality became subject to sin. Through disordered human desire, sexuality could now be destructive and disruptive. The Bible is straightforward about this, honestly telling stories of rape, incest, adultery, and abuse.

But we should not think that sexuality and sinfulness always go together. Like all God's other gifts, sex can still be accepted and enjoyed within the boundaries God sets. So alongside the sad stories of sexual sin we have stories of deep love and sexual delight (like those found in Song of Songs).

The Bible teaches one main boundary for human sexual activity: it belongs within the committed relationship of marriage. This isn't an arbitrary ruling from God but a stricture that makes sense when we think about it. First, it's obviously best to bring children into the world within a family covenantal bond. Second, since sex is so close to our identity and so deeply entwined with feelings of love, its tender bonds are to be protected within a committed relationship of mutual promise.

Given depictions of sexuality online; on TV; and in the music, magazines, and movies with which many in your group are familiar, it's tempting for them to think that sex is just a physical act---that it's simply "hooking up." For that kind of thinking Paul's words in 1 Corinthians are wise and helpful. Arguing why it's wrong to "hook up" with a prostitute, Paul asserts that sex has a unique aspect: it joins not only bodies but also souls. Sex touches deep parts of us. Reformed author and theologian Lewis Smedes once paraphrased Paul to say that "you can't have sex with your soul parked outside."

We belong to Christ, the Son of God who created us as sexual beings. We should not abuse this gift given by the One who dwells in us by his Spirit.

Wondering
  • What does it means to be “one flesh?”

  • Why is sex so close to the soul?

  • Is sexual sin worse than other forms of sin?

Teaching
  • In teaching this lesson, it’s important for you to anticipate some of the questions or comments your group may come up with. You can partially gauge this by how open they have been so far. Consider some responses to questions you expect to hear, like “How far is too far?” or “What if people get divorced?” More important, be sure that you examine your own feelings so you can present an authentically biblical picture rather than one influenced by your own attitudes or experiences.

  • Bear in mind that at least some in your group may be troubled by sexual experiences they’ve already had. Make sure to emphasize God’s forgiveness and healing. Of course, be aware of the possibility that sexual abuse may be happening. Review your church’s abuse prevention policy before this session so that you can be prepared to take action should this topic bring to light an abusive situation.

  • There may also be some in your group who are struggling with homosexual feelings or urges or who have family members, friends, or others in their lives who are homosexual. There isn’t time in this session to fully address the issue of homosexuality, but you can do a little homework in advance in case questions about homosexuality come up. Be aware of your denomination’s and church’s teachings on the subject. Many churches are grappling with how to think of homosexuality and how to welcome people who are homosexual into their fellowship while still being true to what they understand to be the scriptural teachings. If someone in your group is struggling with this issue, an uncompromising condemnation of homosexuality may turn them away from the church. If you sense a high degree of interest in the group, you might consult with your pastor as to the best way to address it with your group.

Steps

Step 1 Gathering for God's Story

  • body smart
  • ​​people smart
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