SUM 11: Day 25

1 Corinthians 7:1-9; 17

It is good for a man not to have sex. Read the theme again. Really? Seriously? That cannot be right. Can it? I’ve never heard that said or seen that message anywhere except for Scripture. That’s crazy. Right?

Not really. It makes total sense. If you are not focused on sex or pursuing a relationship with a person of the opposite sex, then you can totally focus on God. Remember, there is a bond that develops when you have sex. You are giving part of yourself to that sexual partner. You are building a bond with someone other than God.

So, don’t have sex. Keep yourself pure unto God. Keep your focus totally on Him. When you do, if He has a spouse for you, then He will bring the two of you together. You won’t have to fret or stew about when or how. Just focus your future on the Lord. Keep yourself free of any other commitment except for your commitment to God.

Pray: Talk to God about the concerns you have about today’s theme. Are your friends in sexual relationships? Do you feel alone while waiting for God’s plan? Do you think sexual activity would make your life better? Pray. Ask God for His direction, love and encouragement.

Do: Make a list of videos, TV shows and movies you watched this week. How does culture model sex? How would MTV or NBC respond to today's theme?

SUM 11: Day 24

Hebrews 13:4; Ephesians 5:1-3

Sexual immorality has no place among Christians. At several different times, I began the workout program “P90X,” but the longest I made it is the start of the third week. I’ve thought about my lack of commitment to the program, and I’ve figured out why I drop out.

I have to sacrifice too much to do P90X the right way, so I quit early to save myself the hardship of giving up ice cream and Mountain Dew. Therefore, I continue to have high cholesterol and a weight problem.

Sexual immorality is like P90X for a lot of people. They feel like they are giving up so much or “missing out” on something by keeping themselves pure. God is clear about what is best for us. He is clear about what he expects from us as followers of Christ, to be free from sexual sin.

Pray: Thank God for giving you clear direction in Scripture about what He wants for you. Thank Him for giving you a way out when temptation comes. Ask Him to forgive you for any sin that is in your life. Ask Him to help you to love Him more than anyone else in this world.

Do: If you are in a relationship where you are guilty of sexual sin, end the relationship now. Regardless of your current relationship status, vow to keep yourself pure.

SUM 11: Day 23

Proverbs 31:1-9; 1 Corinthians 6:12-20

Sexual acts are powerful; they can destroy you and others. Sex is a powerful bond not meant to be taken lightly. Have you ever heard the phrase, “There is strength in numbers”? This is a true statement when it comes to many things in life, like war, street fights, team sports and moving into a 5th floor apartment! But when it comes to sexual acts, there is strength in one.

You see, it only takes one sexual act to build a bond between two people. And that bond grows stronger with every sexual act. So keep yourself free from sexual immorality.

Sex is a powerful thing. It is not something that should ever be taken lightly. Scripture is clear as to the power that is part of sex. God has created it to be an intimate aspect of a marriage relationship.

Pray: Ask God to help you keep your strength for your spouse. Ask for forgiveness for any sexual sin you’ve committed. Thank God for giving you a way to be intimately connected to your spouse.

Do: Make a commitment to God, your parents and your future spouse regarding your sexual purity from this day forward.

SUM 11: Service and Notes: Day 22

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Matthew 5:27-30

God wants us to live in holiness, not lustful passion.

What is holiness? What is sanctification?

What is lust and how is it different from action? Is lust as sinful as action?

According to Scripture, what does sexual immorality consist of?

Read 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8. Is this a list of “do nots”? What does it mean that

God wants us to remain holy and sanctified?

For God to want us to remain holy and sanctified, and to live without sexual
immorality, what does that say about how much He loves us and how important
we are to Him?

Biblical Passage: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

Outline:

Discussion: God created our bodies. God created sex. What are practical ways
in which we prevent sex from being sin in our lives? Guys, by refraining from
sex before marriage, how are you showing love for your girlfriend and future
wife? Ladies, by refraining from sex before marriage, how are you showing
respect for your boyfriend and future husband? Consider this statement: By
choosing sexual activity before marriage, you are choosing self rather than
God. Is the Lord your God? Or is sex your god?

Scripture Memory: 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5

SUM 11: Day 21

Proverbs 6:23-35; Colossians 3:5

Sex outside of marriage is foolish. We must have nothing to do with sexual immorality. Have you ever seen someone do something you knew was going to hurt later? I had a couple of friends who decided they wanted to try boxing. They found some old boxing gloves and laced them up. When we yelled, “Fight,” they began swinging. As I watched, I quickly realized this was a stupid idea!

Only seconds into the boxing match, one guy had a bloody nose, was crying like a little girl and was begging for the other guy to stop punching him. Like I said, stupid idea!

Sex outside of marriage may seem fun, and it may seem like no big deal. But it is a stupid idea. The only result will be hurt.

Pray: Ask God to help you make wise choices when it comes to sexual activity. Ask Him to surround you with wise people who will not encourage you to do foolish things.

Do: Your choice to -- or to not -- have sex outside of marriage starts today. Choose wisely. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality.

SUM 11: Day 20

1 Corinthians 10:6-13

When tempted, we must not indulge in sexual relations. God will provide a way out! Have you ever been in a situation where you felt there was no way out? I’ve been in a couple of those situations in my life. One that comes to mind happened when I was in college. I was dating someone for a long time, and we were getting too “friendly,” physically. In the moment, she wanted to “go all the way,” but I said, “Only when we are married.” At that point, I shut things down for the evening.

Long story short: She was upset that I didn’t love her enough to go through with it at that moment. Longer story short: We didn’t end up getting married. Even longer story short: I’m so glad God provided me a way out! I had made a commitment long before that night that I would wait until marriage to have sex. He reminded me of that commitment when I was in “the heat of the moment.”

He will do the same for you!

Pray: Thank God for promising you that He will provide a way out when you are tempted! Ask Him to help you make wise decisions when it comes to who you date and the standards you set as a couple.

Do: If you have not already done so, make a commitment to God that you will wait to have sex
(any kind of sexual activity) until your wedding night! If you have already experimented with sex, choose now to stop and wait until your honeymoon.

SUM 11: Service and Notes: Day 19

Proverbs 5:15-21; Song of Songs 4:1-6

Sex is God’s gift to a man and a woman, who are married to each other. It is designed to be a delight!

Intro: Sex is awesome! You need to know that. You also must understand that God created sex to be a way for a man and wife to delight in one another! Sex is not something that is to done with selfish motives. Sex is a gift for your spouse! Nothing else in marriage is as powerful as sex or as necessary as sex. However, sex is often misunderstood and therefore used as a means for selfgratification. This is when sex is sinful.

Motion: Give examples of ways you think people use sex as a means of self-gratification.

Biblical Passage: Proverbs 5:15-21

Outline:

Discussion: What advice about sex have your parents given you? What have they told you about sex before marriage? How old were you when you and your parents had “the sex talk”?

Biblical Passage: Song of Songs 4:1-6

Outline:

Conclusion: Sex is a gift that God has given for a married man and woman to enjoy! However, sex can be dangerous when done outside of its intended purpose.

Do: