Teaching Series Introduction:
According to a study from University College London, nearly a quarter of us have experienced a complete breakdown in a significant relationship during the pandemic. Friendships have been stretched; families have been fractured; romances have struggled. Yes, over the last 2 years many of us know that our relationships have taken a serious hit.
This important teaching series is all about those relationships. Rooted in the biblical book of Proverbs, this is a chance to reflect, rebuild and refresh all our relationships in this post-pandemic world.
You may find it helpful to download and take our Relationships Healthcheck alongside this teaching series.
‘The crisis of Covid has distanced us from each other. We see anew how far apart we are. The result must be a new way to bring us together.’
(Jon Yates)
SESSION 8:
Sex In An Age Of Entitlement
BY: Tim Chilvers
DATE: Sunday 26 June 2022
BIBLE PASSAGES: Read online
Proverbs (Chapter 5, verse 16-17)
1 Corinthians (Chapter 7, verses 1-7)
Sex is everywhere. Everyone is doing it, wanting it, loving it and thinking about it. Or, are they? The evidence suggest that it’s a little bit more complicated than that. What if we need to think again about sex? What if we need to rediscover what sex is actually for? What if the Bible is the most ‘sex-positive’ tool there is, to give hope in our confused and disconnected world?
Listen Online: Podcast
Watch Online: Church At Home
Listen Online
Watch Online
Children’s & Youth Resources:
These resources will be used within the various groups in-person on a Sunday morning. This means that if you are unable to attend one of our Sunday Gatherings, you can still study and follow along with the same material at a time that is best for you. However you study, we encourage you to engage with your group as much as possible. If you would like to know about how you can get connected with our children’s or youth groups please contact us, we would love to hear from you.
Youth Resources
This Weeks Youth Video:
Children’s Resources
This weeks Children’s Video:
Bible Study Questions:
There are two different sets of questions for you to use, whether you are exploring the Bible within your Life Group, in other group settings, or simply using them on your own.
HELPFUL RESOURCES
BOOK – ‘The Great Sex Rescue’ by Sheila Wray Gregoire
ARTICLE – ‘Consent is not enough’ by Christine Emba in The Washington Post (N.B. Involves mention of sexual assault)
ARTICLE – ‘The Significance of sex – can it be recovered through consent alone?’ by Emma Wood (N.B. Involves mention of sexual assault)
A. DISCUSSION STARTERS
These are simple questions to provoke discussion together out of the talk (ideal if you are watching our Sunday Service online with others in your group):
1) Was there anything that particularly helped you during the talk?
2) Was there anything that you didn’t necessarily agree with, or found difficult to understand in the talk?
3) RESPONSE QUESTION. As a result of the talk, what:
a. Changes do you want to see?
b. Truths do you need to remember?
c. Actions do you need to take?
B. QUESTIONS TO EXPLORE
These are questions that are based on the talk and the surrounding themes:
1) In his talk on Sunday, Tim mentioned that relationships work best when the focus is not on what we can get, but on what we can give. Do you agree? Why?
2) Read Proverbs 5:16-19. Obviously, these particular verses are about a man and his wife. But, what are some of the principles in this proverb that may be quite counter-cultural today? What choices might need to be made to ensure that these principles are lived out?
3) Read 1 Corinthians 7:1-7. It is likely that the author, Paul, is addressing a particular question that he has been asked – now that they have become followers of Jesus, should they stop getting married and stop having sex because it seems just a bit ‘unspiritual’?! What is Paul’s answer? What does Paul say is important within marriage, and why?
4) Tim quoted from Sheila Wray Gregoire, ‘Let’s stop talking about entitlement. Let’s stop talking about rights and hierarchy and power. Let’s put Jesus, who came not to be served but to serve, back at the centre’ (‘Sheila Wray Gregoire, The Great Sex Rescue – see above for helpful resources). What do you think that might look like in practice regarding sex? And what might that attitude look like in a church with a wide variety of people (many single, used to be married etc), particularly in how we talk about sex and relationships?
5) In v3-5, Paul highlights some components of a healthy sexual relationship. Sadly these verses have sometimes been badly abused to justify people demanding sex within marriage. And yet, understood properly, these verses are hugely liberating because they emphasise a mutuality and ‘other-centredness’ for both husband and wife. What are some of the crucial aspects Paul highlights?
6) Read Ephesians 5:31-32. Paul essentially says that sex and marriage are a picture of Christ’s commitment to us. How does that change how you see sex?
7) Take some time to pray. Thank God for his grace and commitment to us, and then ask God to help you to have a healthy view of sex, and to have relationships that are truly a blessing to others.
FURTHER RESOURCES:
