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Guy Meets Guy...Girl Meets Girl
I’m sad that the church world does such a rotten job of communicating on homosexual and lesbian tendencies. We seem to go to one of two extremes. We either preach so hard against sin that people who are struggling in this area feel like they have to go “underground,” or we awkwardly ignore the whole discussion. We make it a dirty little secret that no one addresses. Even worse, we make “gay jokes” and... “Oh, that’s so gay!” or “Are you gay?” kind of statements. And, then wonder why people struggling in this arena have so much hesitancy to turn to the church. I’ve been privileged to connect closely with young men and women who found themselves struggling to fi gure out their sexual identity. So, though I am a million miles from an expert on this subject, allow me tonight to share a few “bottom lines.” It’s my honest hope that my realness could be helpful to a few of you who are desperate for some answers but have nowhere to turn. This lesson helps to address this tough topic.
Contents:
SECTION 1: sermon notes
SECTION 2: skits
SECTION 3: discussion outline
SECTION 4: leadership notes
Also Inculded: MP3 of the message
Conversation
I just found this resource
I just found this resource ... Great stuff, Jeanne.
I wanted to share more insight about gay teens and how to minister to them: http://six11.wordpress.com/issues-of-sexuality/glbt/ministering-to-teens/
My reflections in this article stem from my years in student ministry, and my struggles with same-sex attractions. I pray that God uses it for His glory.
What is there to fix? I'm
"I have to agree with JenC.
"I have to agree with JenC. I know that the scriptures sited may refer to homosexuality as a sin but to use them in today's world when we know much more about the human body and human sexuality. Paul was writing in response to some "power over others" behavior of Greeks and Romans in regard to young boys. Please, please do good interpretation with academic scholars before writing something like this study and giving it away for free so that church youth leaders end up propagating the myths about homosexuality."
I really struggle to agree on this comment. The bible was written by the inspiration of the Spirit... right? God's spirit. The same spirit which spoke through the prophets and the same spirit which spoke through the Gospels. I find it hard to believe that we "enlightened ones" of today know more about something that God created. If God says that it is wrong it is wrong. Are the ten commandments out of date? What about redemption with out works is that out of date as well? If anything, we today have a warped sense of human sexuality. There are also more places in the bible that refer to homosexuality. And you can't say that this verse is just "cultural." 1 Cor 6:9 (ESV) "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality," There is not any leeway here. This verse maybe offensive to some because the bible is not based on the world's view but on God's view.
1 Peter 2:8 (ESV) "and 'A stone of stumbling,and a rock of offense.'They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do."
AND
Matt 10:34 (ESV)"Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword."
Just because something may be offensive does not mean that we ignore it or call it "Cultural." Does a doctor lie about a diagnosis that may cause the patient to be offended? No he tells them the truth, even if it hurts. Because until the patient knows the truth they will never think that there is a problem and thus never try to fix the problem. I would rather trust the Bible which has stood for about two thousand years than trust any man. if in doubt always go back to the Bible... it is not as complicated as some think and we do not need someone else to tell us what it means.
Now, do we make fun of them for there sin? do we mock them? NO! We need to love the sinner but hate their sin. We need to show them the outcome of their sin just as we would with an adulterous spouse, a thief or a _____ (fill in the blank). Homosexuality is not a "sexual preference" it is a sexual sin. We ought to treat them as we would any other person struggling in sin, with compassion helping them to the cross so that they might repent of their sins and follow God.
I never even listened to
I never even listened to this program but I am amzed at how you can site someone's comments as offensive. You evidently are trying to put a band aid answer on this situation. There is no way that a band aid can fix the confusion these kids are in. Only God can help them. If you are so concerned with offending then be concerned also with offending those who believe the straight forwardness of the Bible and the fact that God is the same today, yesterday, and forever.
Wow! Thanks for a choosing
Wow! Thanks for a choosing to giveaway a great message on a tough topic, most wouldn't even have the guts to talk about it. It really helped to open up healthy conversations with my students who were struggling (or who had friends struggling) in silence. Words cannot describe my depth of gratitude.
I have to agree with JenC. I
I have to agree with JenC. I know that the scriptures sited may refer to homosexuality as a sin but to use them in today's world when we know much more about the human body and human sexuality. Paul was writing in response to some "power over others" behavior of Greeks and Romans in regard to young boys.
Please, please do good interpretation with academic scholars before writing something like this study and giving it away for free so that church youth leaders end up propagating the myths about homosexuality.
If you did not think that it
If you did not think that it is presented in a healthy way then what would your suggestions be for a discussion about it in a healthy way. It is a subject in which is talked about in the bible and what is said straight forward about it. I know some who are struggling so what would your suggestion be. I would really like some feedback on this it would be greatly appreciated.
We approach homosexuality
We approach homosexuality first through and in God's love, (like anyone else who may be hurting) helping those who are struggling and even perhaps been sexually abused themselves. We live in an age where identities are shattered and love must prevail. However, some people ENJOY AND LOVE THEIR SIN and even flaunt it with an attitude that shouts "I don't care about your truths" and to those who would turn from the truth, all we have left to say is the spoken truth of Romans 1. We can't "speak" for God and try and "interpret" what we "think" He's saying and restructure it in a politically correct jargon. His Word is clear enough to speak for itself and through the Holy Spirit can touch the hardest of hearts, but only the God can grant them a spirit of repentance. People who WANT healing, usually GO to find it.
What's even more sad is that
What's even more sad is that someone might actually lead this discussion with youth...you are promoting the very thing that you condemned the church for doing. My prayer is that someday the church can have a real, honest discussion about homosexuality and not some "Jesus told me to say this to you" because I interpret the scripture this way and so I'll make you think what I think by saying "Jesus told me to say it". I'll pray for the youth who need to talk about homosexuality...pray that they find a church community who can talk about it in a healthy way (which is not at all the way this lesson plan presents it).
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