Path to Spiritual Maturity Meeting #13 Recap - Sexual Purity

Opening Prayer

Welcome:

Step 1: Overview

a. Go over last week’s assignment of reading an article on #9 Sexual Purity in the Foundations Pathway, and of doing an application.

b. This week’s assignment: read an article on #10 Evangelism in the Foundations Pathway, and do an application.

c. Finish with time for questions/comments.

If we run out of time you can always e-mail us, or post in the discussion group. I will post those e-mail addresses and the group link at the end of our session.

Step 2: Review of #9 Sexual Purity.

-Go over last week’s assignment of reading an article on #9 Sexual Purity in the Foundations Pathway, and do an application.

So did you do your reading and application this week? (Yes/no) Did you find it helpful? What struck you the most from your study this week? Was there anything that you were really challenged on that you prayed about or are doing something about?

In much of the world issues relating to sex are a prime focus of news, and entertainment. It is constantly brought to one’s attention. In many ways this is natural, as God created humanity with these aspects as part of our bodies makeup. Likewise, it is also natural, with humanities rebellion against God and fall into sin, for what was designed for good to be corrupted and abused. But just because something is natural or easy does not make it good and right. As Christians though we have God’s instructions on what is good and right and holy. We have God’s directions on what He intended. We have God’s instructions on what is best.

Our world bombards us with the message that we should not wait, that if it feels good we should do it. It may taste and feel good to have a huge meal topped off with a cheesecake every night without any exercising…but that does not mean it will be good for me and my health in the long run. Scripture does tell us that sin has a pleasure for a season, but it also tells us of its long term inevitable consequences. It may feel good now, but that does not make it truly right or good for us. Nor does it automatically mean it fits as God’s intended purposes for those things. Feelings or what is natural are not the gauges by which we should live.

One of the pivotal points in my life as a growing teenager was realizing what Scripture taught about the mind. Jesus plainly taught that even to think lustful thoughts is sin (Matthew 5:27-30). Sin needs to be confessed and turned away from (1 John 1:9, John 5:14). It is not in our own efforts that these battles of the mind could be overcome but by faith through the provision of God’s grace (2 Cor. 9:8, 12:9, Rom. 5:2, 21, Heb. 4:16, 1 John 5:4). This, together with the warnings in the book of Proverbs and the example of Moses who chose to suffer affliction with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season, was a strong challenge that God used in my life to get me on the right road to protecting my mind and to pursuing a God honoring kind of sexual expression and purity.

Where are you with sexual purity? Are you guarding your mind as well as your actions through God’s power? Are you half-heartedly or only partially following God’s design for your sexual drive? If you are married, are you caring for your spouse and being a help to them in this area? Are you taking full advantage of the resources that God has given you in fighting this lifelong battle (Prayer, God’s Word, God’s Spirit, fellow believers, etc.)?

Step 3: This week’s assignment: Begin #10 Evangelism in the Foundations Pathway.

Read at least one article in the Evangelism category on the Path to Spiritual Maturity #10 Evangelism under step 4) [or listen to an audio, or watch a video]. Then think about what you have read and do an application (some suggested ones are listed there). Next week we can discuss any questions that you might have had either about the article, or its application.

Other ideas:

*blog about your reading/application

*write down any questions you might have from the reading/experience

*write out any terms that you did not understand

*spend some time praying about and thanking God for His Word that He has given us to be able to know His truths.

Step 4: Questions, comments, and interaction.

…

Step 5: Closing Reminders:

*This week, focus on the Evangelism Step. (Keep up your Bible reading time, and as needed, focus on your motivation.)

*Go to the group page to post comments, questions, or to find a posting of what we discussed during our time together. http://users.bible.org/groups/path_spiritual_maturity_discipleship

*E-mail us as needed.

Closing Prayer

Pursue Christ in all you do, and may this Path to Spiritual Maturity be a tool to help you pursue Him. That is our prayer and desire. God bless!