9/27/09 Leader's Guide

Glued
1 Corinthians 6:12-20
The Week of September 27th

Getting Started

1) What thought, truth, conviction, etc, has stood out to you most during our “Glued” series?

2) Have you seen sexual values change over your lifetime, if so, how?

Digging Deeper

3) Verse 13 says, “the body is not meant for sexual immorality.” What activities does Scripture regard as sexual immorality? Are there any grey areas?

Some activities that are sexually immoral outside of the marriage bond: vaginal sex, oral sex, phone sex (now its “text-sex”), petting, exposure of sexual organs, etc...

Some activities that are sexually immoral at all times: pornography, voyeurism, homosexuality, bestiality, etc...

4) Verse 13 says “Food is for the stomach and the stomach for food.” Is it sinful to have sexual desires? If it isn’t sinful, at what point do they become sinful?

Having sexual desires for someone other than your spouse is a sign of the fall (like physical sickness is also a sign of the fall); its an indication of the imperfect state we’re in. With that said, God commands us to by the Spirit put to death the deeds and desires of the flesh, which presumes bad desires. As soon as we entertain these desires either mentally or physically, these desires have become sinful. You can’t stop a bird from flying over your head, but you can’t stop it from nesting on your head.

5) Verses 12, 13, and 18 appear to contain slogans on sexuality borrowed by Christians to justify their immoral behavior. What are some slogans or phrases prevalent in our culture? Spend some time and examine them with Scripture.

“If it feels good, do it”
“If it doesn’t hurt anyone, do it.”
“It’s my body to do as I please.”
“It’s natural, so it must be right.”

6) Reread the three “do you not know” passages (vs. 15, 16, and 19). Which of these statements do you find as the most compelling reason to avoid immorality?

7) Read verse 17, what does it mean to “unite” ourselves with the Lord

The Bible gives images like the uniting of head to body, roof to house, husband and wife, and branch tree. All of these images point to a radical identification that we have with Jesus.

8) In verse 18, Paul says that a person who commits sexual immorality “sins against his own body.” How have you witnessed that sexual mistakes can be more painful and damaging than other mistakes?

9) Verse 20 says “you were bought at a price at a price.” Who bought you? What was the cost this person paid? And how does this help us avoid immorality?

A reflection of the passion of Christ on the cross should be more than sufficient to fight unholy passions.

Putting It Into Practice

10) Suppose a couple who is dating is struggling with keeping boundaries in their physical relationship. If they came to you for advice, what would you tell them?

11) What can a married person do to set boundaries with friends/co-workers of the opposite sex? What activities could become dangerously close to crossing a line? For example, is going to lunch okay? What about sharing marriage problems? At what point could fun banter turn into flirting?

12) What safeguards can a Christian put in place regarding TV, movies, novels, the internet, etc?

13) What safeguards do you have in your life to protect against sexual immorality?