BELIEVE #12

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MARRIAGE & HUMAN SEXUALITY

ARTICLE X — STATEMENT OF FAITH
“We believe and accept the following statements as essentials for the unity and practice of the members of this church:”

11. MARRIAGE & HUMAN SEXUALITY 
(Genesis 1:27-28; 2:21-25; 5:1-2; Mark 10:2-12; Matthew 5:31-32; 19:3-11; Ephesians 5:21-33; 1 Timothy 3:2, 3:12; 1 Peter 3:1-7; Malachi 2:14-16; 1 Corinthians 7:2-5; 7:10-16; Hebrews 13:4; Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1:24-32; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Jude 1:7)

“WE BELIEVE God intentionally designed and created humanity male and female.

WE BELIEVE marriage is ordained and instituted by God and, according to the Scriptures, can only exist and be fulfilled between one man and one woman. A civil government’s sanction of a union will be recognized as a legitimate marriage by the church only to the extent that it is consistent with the definition of “marriage” found in this Statement of Faith.

WE BELIEVE marriage is a picture of the relationship of Christ and the Church and is to be a lifelong, covenant relationship between a man and a woman based on love, respect, mutual submission and personal sacrifice.

WE BELIEVE God intended sexual intimacy to be enjoyed only within the context of the male and female marriage relationship; and that all other sexual relations outside of marriage are personally destructive, sinful, inconsistent with the teachings of the Bible and the Church, and forbidden by God. ”

1. Satan’s Lies… (John 8:44; 10:10)
   1. We are a  of  (Ps 139:13-14)
   2. There is no  moral  (Gal 5:16-26)
   3. Marriage is a  construct (Gen 2:18-25)
   4. Marriage has no  purpose or  (Eph 5:25-33)
   5. No  between the  (Gen 1:26-28)
   6.   pleasure and  is the ultimate  (1 John 2:15-17)
   7. Consequences of sin are  &  (Romans 3:23; 6:23; Gal 6:7-8)
   8. God’s  and commands are  (Matt 5:18)

2. What does God say about us?
   1. We are  and  made (Psalm 139:13-14; Eph 2:10)
   2. He made us  and  (Gen 1:27; 2:22-23)
   3. We were made to be a  of our  (Gen 1:27)

3. What does God say about marriage?
   1. Marriage is a  from God (Gen 2:18; Matt 19:6; Eccl 9:9)
   2. God’s design for marriage was for one  and one ,  (Matt 19:4-6)
   3. Marriage is to be a  relationship (Ruth 1:16-18)
   4. Marriage is to be an  picture of a  relationship between  and the  (Eph 5:22-33)

4. What does God say about sexual intimacy?
   1. Sacred  from God to a  and a  (Gen 2:23-25; Song of Songs 5:1b; Hebrews 13:4)
   2. To be  and  (Prov 4:23; 5:15-23; 1 Cor 7:1-5)
   3. Outside of marriage is  and  (1 Cor 6:18; Prov 5:7-14; 6:20-35; 1 Thess 4:1-8)
   4.  leads to  (Romans 1:18-32; Eph 4:17-24)

5. What does God say? (1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 2 Corinthians 5:17)
   1. We are 
   2. We are 
   3. We are 
   4. We are a new  

      
      

DIGGING DEEPER

1. Read Genesis 1:26-31; 2:18-25; Ephesians 5:22-33; Romans 2:18-32; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
   
2. How is the Bible’s position on Marriage and Human Sexuality controversial in our culture today?
   
3. Identify several essential truth statements from the scriptures listed above. What are their implications to us today?
   
4. What are some ways Satan and/or our hearts deceive us in terms of our God-given desires?
   
5. How do we conform to the image of Christ when our heart is pulling us in another direction?
   
6. How ought we respond to someone who is struggling with their sexuality or marriage?
   
7. How can we help our children/grandchildren find contentment in Christ?
   
8. What one truth statement can you share with someone (possibly your neighbor) this coming week?