Leader Guide
This weekend we wrapped up our series on desires with the topic of Sex. We learned that sex is not evil or wrong when it is used the way God designed for it to be. Let’s discuss God’s plan for a healthy desire of sex.
What you will need: A Bible or your Bible app, a notebook, pen, and highlighter. The verses highlighted below are linked so that you can easily access them during your study time.
Jump Start
Leaders: This section is designed to get discussions started, examine God’s truth, and apply it to our week. Life Group leaders should not assume everyone in their group is a Christ follower. Because they are taking part in a Life Group, they must have some openness to knowing more, exploring. Pray for the Holy Spirit to work and let Him lead you as well.
1. How is sex portrayed in our culture today? Do you think our views on sex are distorted?
2. Sex is not evil. Genesis 1:27-28, 1 Corinthians 6:18. Who created sex? How does that impact your view of sex? According to 1Corinthians what are we to flee from?
Leaders: We need to clearly see here that God designed sex to be a good thing between a husband and wife. However, when we step outside of Gods design for sex it creates hurt, pain, and can become dangerous and destructive. The Bible does not say to run from sex but from sexual immorality. We need to teach the correct message.
3. Sex is a desire not a need. Read 1 Corinthians 7:6-8, 1 Corinthians 6:13b. Based on this scripture is sex an absolute need? Why could it be a good thing if someone chooses to remain unmarried? How does the world’s emphasis on sexual identity differ from how God wants us to identify? Ultimately what was our body created for?
Leaders: Here Paul was just saying that sometimes it's better to go unmarried if it allows you to focus on Gods work. Obviously if some people can do that, then it's not a need. We won’t die without sex. Our culture is trying to wrap our identity around our sexuality. This can take away from our true identity and purpose in Christ. God should be our first desire.
4. Sex is designed by God to be intimate. Read Genesis 2:22-25. What is the significance of God making woman out of man? How might this verse help someone who is struggling with the wrong desires?
Leaders: God shows us in this scripture His design for a man and woman, marriage and sex. When done within His boundaries we will not be ashamed, and it will create intimacy within the marriage that is safe. No one should know us like our spouse. For those that are single or dating, the best way is God’s way. God has made us for so much more than our sexual identity.
Action Step: Remember, it’s not too late. God makes all things new. Ask Him to help you with your sexual desires. That they will line up with His plan. Ask Him to help you seek Him first.
Leaders: Be sensitive to all kinds of situations. Single, dating, living together, marriages struggling, or even same sex attractions. The bottom line that we have learned in this series is not all our desires come from God. We are more than our sexual identity and desires. We are to “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33
Deeper
5. Read 2 Samuel 11:1-4. Was David following God’s design for marriage and sex or his own desires?
Leaders: David clearly was following his own fleshly desires. We will see how this will create pain and destruction.
6. Read 2 Samuel 11:5, 2 Samuel 11:14-17. What were the results of David’s uncontrolled desires?
Leaders: David’s actions created a series of events that ultimately led to death. That’s what our sin does, leads to death. Physically and spiritually.