In a sex saturated society it is difficult to live the pure and holy life that God has called us to live. By being aware of the cultural narrative regarding sexuality we are able to critique it and see it for what it is – a lie.  Instead, we need to be immersed in the biblical narrative and to allow Jesus to disciple us in the area of our sexuality.  At times this will not be easy but it can be done.  It will take honesty, the help of others inside and outside the church community, and the power of the Holy Spirit.  This is an issue that affects all of us.  Let us walk together, helping one another on this journey of discipleship.

Read:

• Jeremiah 2:13
• Romans 12:2
• Song of Songs 2:7, 3:5 & 8:4

• What do these passages tell us about God?
• What do these passages tell us about you and your life?
• What did you like about this passage?
• What did you not like about this passage?

When Jesus calls us to come and follow Him this includes the area of our sexuality.  No area of our lives is excluded.  Our sexuality is included in our everyone, everywhere with everything.  Sexual integrity is a life long journey. We need to put practical steps of boundaries and accountability into our lives to ensure this area is given over to Jesus.  This will take a renewing of the mind, support from others and in many cases healing from the past.  Thankfully we are not alone but have Jesus ever present with us through His Spirit and the power of His Word.  We also have the support of the others in the church community.

Discuss one or more of the following questions.

1. Where did you learn about sex? How adequate was your sex education? In hindsight, how would you have liked to learn about sexuality?
2. If you are a parent, discuss possible ways how you can give your child/children adequate, practical, age appropriate sexual discipleship with Biblical values?
3. Dr Weerakoon talked about sex as only one aspect of intimacy. Below is a list of 11 other types of intimacy, besides sexual intimacy, that can be enjoyed in any friendship or relationship:
   1. Emotional Intimacy – Being able to share deeply at an emotional level and without any barriers with people you trust.
   2. Intellectual Intimacy – Stimulating each other’s minds and thought worlds resulting in promotion of intellectual growth.
   3. Aesthetic Intimacy – Share a common passion for some aspects of the world of beauty e.g. nature, art, music etc.
   4. Creative Intimacy – Creating together in various forms e.g. hobbies, projects, participating in creative arts etc.
   5. Recreational Intimacy – Enjoy together a variety of fun activities and adventures e.g. sport activities, fishing, hiking, board games etc.
   6. Work Intimacy – Intimacy achieved through sharing of tasks and achievements e.g. studying together, career, serving God together etc.
   7. Crisis Intimacy – Closeness brought about by being united in times of pain and crisis e.g. death, accident, unemployment, relationship crisis etc.
   8. Conflict Intimacy – Intimacy achieved from having to work through differences and conflicts to a point of mutual satisfaction.
   9. Commitment Intimacy – Secure in each other’s love or friendship, knowing that both value loyalty, honesty, and confidentiality and are committed to working on the relationship or friendship to make it healthy.
   10. Spiritual Intimacy – Sharing the same faith in God and actively spurring each other to maturity in Christ.
   11. Communication Intimacy – Be willing and able to communicate at a heart to heart level and actively listen to each other with respect and acceptance.

Whether you are single or married you can enjoy these intimacies with your partner or close friends. What type of intimacy are you strong in?  Which one is a growth area that you would like to improve?  Suggest ways you could do this.  Share with the Life Group and give them feedback next time you meet.

How can practicing these other types of intimacy help in keeping you sexually pure whether you are single or married?  How can the Life Group help you in this?

3. Dr Weerakoon talked about discerning the narrative of the culture in which we live. What messages does our culture convey about sex and sexuality? In what ways can we develop a biblical counterculture lifestyle? How can we help/support our children or others within our Life Group/church in this area?
4. Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour lived a single, celibate life. The apostle Paul lived the same (1Corinthian 7:1-7). What does this say about the value of being single? How well do you think we, as a church, honour and support our singles/single mums/single dads?  In what way can we do this better?  How can your Life Group help in this area?
5. Pornography is prevalent in our society and has infiltrated the church. Have you had issues in this area? Do you need to talk to anyone in regard to this?  How can your Life Group help you?
6. Dr Weerakoon is a Christian doctor, sexologist and fiction writer. She is an example of someone who is representing Jesus to her everyone, everywhere she goes with everything that she has.  What about you – who is your everyone, where is your everywhere and what is your everything?  Share with the Life Group.  What is one step you can take to be a disciple who represents Jesus in your everyday life?

Ps Chee shared that God wants to produce something from our lives out of this season as a church. Come together as one group and share in a few sentences your answer to these questions.

• What does God want to produce out of this season for you personal life?
• What does God want to produce out of this season for us as a life group?