Opening Note (facilitators please read out loud): This week, we will be talking about sex. We know that this can be an incredibly hard topic for some people to discuss, so please be aware that no one is required to share any personal information in the group this week. Be gracious & abundant in love, both in how you speak & listen. Understand that people in our church have varied views & experiences with sex, including traumatic ones. Given the nature of this topic, it’s fair to give an auditory “pass” on questions that you are uncomfortable with. As always, be aware that our pastoral staff is here to give resources or answer questions in a private conversation if that’s needed.
Breaking Ground
When did you have “the talk” or take sex education in school? What was that experience like? What emotions do you remember experiencing during those talks?
The Dig
Read Song of Solomon 1:1-7. This book of the Bible is seemingly never mentioned in traditional lectionaries & rarely used in sermons. Often, this is because it involves very sexualized, ancient romance poetry & the modern church seems to be very uncomfortable with such explicit, positive descriptions of sex. It’s also one of just two books in the Bible that never mention God. With this background, consider the topic of sex in our American culture today.
What is your background with the church & sex? Was it discussed? If so, how was it discussed? If not, why do you think churches are afraid of & avoid this topic?
How does society engage with the topic of sex? What are the current ideas & attitudes about sex (positive, negative, & neutral)? NOTE: consider issues related to technology, sexuality, promiscuity, power, & accountability.
What does the emerging generation think about sex? How have they been given a dualistic sexual framework & how’s that impacting their engagement with this topic?
Where do you struggle with the tension between these vastly different perspectives on sex in your own life? How has this shaped your attitudes, emotions, thoughts, & experiences with sex?
Despite this optimistic vision of sex in Song of Solomon, it’s important to recognize that the Bible is also full of many poor examples of sex. This includes stories that depict destructive realities like when lust, power, & violence get wrapped up in individual & corporate perspectives of sex. This unclear line between healthy & destructive experiences of sex means that what may be healing for one person can, in turn, be sinful for someone else. As such, Christians, Christians are called to recognize that Scripture doesn’t give clear boundaries for every situation, but rather calls us to a life of discernment as we seek to navigate these complicated areas of life.
With this in mind, Read 1 Corinthians 10:23-24. Here Paul illustrates how the Gospel is fundamentally about discerning how to live like Jesus in the midst of competing, complicated cultural currents
How might this mentality change how the church, & E3 specifically, deals with issues of sex?
Getting Out of the Hole
Take time this week to reflect upon the topic we covered in the Sunday sermon.
- How might this understanding of Scripture & the Church change your view of sex?
- Are there areas in your life when it comes to sex that need healing? How can you invite God & others into that part of your life?
- How could you become an agent of healing to others in this specific area? Where can you give “the talk” differently to your own children & grandchildren as the opportunity presents itself?
Journal about how this prayer practice makes you feel this week. Share your experience with your group next week.
Additional Resources*
Centered Set Church by Mark D. Baker
Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer
TheBibleProject.com
Coming Up This Week:*
September 7th: Join us next Sunday as we kickoff our new series Covenantal!
* Please see mye3.org for details.