Sexual Intimacy in Marriage

Jim Leffel

1 Thessalonians 4:3-8

Paul teaches the Thessalonians about two biblical themes of sexuality: 1) the melding of persons; and 2) self-giving love. God's intent and purpose are radically different than the culture's, then and now. His way is better. Paul contrasts our culture's view that sexuality is for the benefit of self versus God's view that it is to benefit the spouse. God's way of sexuality mirrors His character and brings intimacy to the marriage relationship.\r\n

Three Assumptions About Sex

Jim Leffel

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

Paul teaches the Thessalonians to follow God's will for sexuality and to be sanctified in this area. He explains that this means we live distinctly from the culture in regards to sex. The Roman views of sex and family are the same as our contemporary views. Paul addresses three assumptions about sex: 1) sex is an amoral natural impulse; 2) anything goes between consenting adults; and 3) how we view the self. He teaches that biblical sexuality is radically different and better.\r\n

Good News for Troubled Marriages (Part 2)

Jim Leffel

1 Peter 3:5-9

Some key components to a godly marriage are as follows: it is centered on the Lord; each partner is actively cultivating his/her relationship with God; the couple views their relationship as a spiritual and purposeful partnership with a common goal; they choose to accomplish life together; they are tangibly outward focused; each spouse can see the other as a key provision from the Lord; and they actively look for ways to honor each other.

Good News for Troubled Marriages (Part 1)

Jim Leffel

1 Peter 3:1-4

Part one of a two-part series on good news for troubled marriages which focuses on the wife's roles. Peter gives concise, helpful, but hard to hear principles for wives even if their husbands are disobedient to the Word. Difficult topics such as submission and respect are addressed as well as the meaning of a gentle and quiet spirit. When women engage their disrespectful spouses, God can do big things.\r\n

Patriarchy or Serving Love

Dennis McCallum

Ephesians 5

Throughout various religions and church history, there have been misrepresentations of marriage roles between men and women. Instead, God's design for roles within relationships is servant love, a commitment to the betterment of the other person. Growing Christians realize that trying to have control and power within relationships, in particular within marriage, isn't the key. Instead, developing love and humility to radically serve the other partner is the key. Biblical submissiveness for wives is a willingness to be served and led towards God by their husband as they ultimately submit to Christ's leadership.

Focus of Faith (Part 1)

Jim Leffel

Hebrews 13:1-4

The author of Hebrews affirms the idea that love is the main focus of the Christian life, extending to insiders, outsiders, and even to the oppressed. Another crucial component of healthy spiritual love is striving for marriage and sexuality according to God's design. This teaching includes a video testimony from Brian Gardner about overcoming hidden sin in his marriage.

Effective Youth Evangelism

Joe Botti

Tom Dixon

Matthew 28:19-20

Fostering effective youth evangelism is important for many reasons. It produces spiritual growth, it helps young students with their own faith, and it is biblical. Some practical steps that leaders can take to foster evangelism amongst youth include: encouraging every and any attempt of faith being shared; becoming an example; teaching biblical principles of evangelism; giving personal advice; teaching how to build friendships; making sure that you have a meeting people want to come to; raising the tension levels when necessary; and creating prayer lists and prayer groups.

Serving Love and Sexuality

Dennis McCallum

1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:8

We contrast two views of sexuality: God's view and our culture's view. We examine the devastating effects of living outside of God's design in this area: a deep emptiness and deteriorating enjoyment of sex. On the other hand, we can experience renewed liberation and a deepening appreciation of sex when we live out God's design for sex. In a God-centered relationship, as we begin to deepen our dependence on God and draw power from Him, we also grow closer to our partner.

Patriarchy or Serving Love

Dennis McCallum

1 Peter 3:1-8

It's commonly understood that most religions, including Christianity, portray women as inferior to men; but this concept is unbiblical. Oftentimes people are misguided on their view of marriage roles because their concept of leadership is far away from God's view of leadership. In marriage, God designed the man to be a spiritual leader for his wife. A husband is called to lead in humility and love?not ?try to gain power? over his wife. In this type of marriage, a wife would most likely find it joyful to submit to her husband.\r\n