Prepared for Sabbath School class on July 25.
Photograph by William Earnhardt
Key Text: “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20, NIV).
Read in Class: 1 Corinthians 5:1-13.
Study: What scandalous situation does Paul describe in this passage, and why is it so disturbing? How does Paul tell them to deal with this situation?
Apply: What things are clearly condemned in Scripture that we, as a church, are in danger of tolerating, all in the name of “love” and “acceptance”?
Share: According to Matthew 18:15-17, share how you would counsel a friend to deal with someone living in open sin in their church. See When is it a Good Idea Not to Follow Bible Counsel?
Read in Class: 1 Corinthians 6:1-13.
Study: What is Paul trying to teach the Corinthians and us?
Apply: Think about Paul’s catalog of vices in 1 Corinthians 5:10-11 and 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. Why does he list sexual sins along with other sins such as idolatry, thievery, greed, and extortion?
Share: Your friend says she no longer believes in the Bible because it is hate speech against homosexuals. What do you tell your friend?
Read in Class: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8.
Study: What does this passage say about the connection between sanctification and abstinence from sexual immorality?
Apply: Think about the wreckage that sexual sins have brought upon humanity. What should this tell us about how serious this issue should be for the Christian?
Share: Your close friend confides in you that it would be a lot easier to live a sexually pure life if he were married, but he is older now and tired of waiting to find someone who will marry him. What do you tell your friend? See Overcoming Sexual sin When you are Single.
Read in Class: 1 Corinthians 6:19-7:9.
Study: How does this passage shed light on how one can put into practice the commandment to “flee from sexual immorality” (1 Cor. 6:18, ESV)?
Apply: How can we, as a church, protect ourselves from the deviant views of sexuality that dominate the culture?
Share: A teenager in your family confides that he is struggling with a deviant behavior. He has talked to his parents about it, but all they do is tell him it’s wrong. They do not help him overcome. He already knows it is wrong, but can’t help himself. What do you tell your troubled teen?
Mission: Speaking of Jesus, we read in Desire of Ages,
“Often He met those who had drifted under Satan’s control, and who had no power to break from his snare. To such a one, discouraged, sick, tempted, and fallen, Jesus would speak words of tenderest pity, words that were needed and could be understood. Others He met who were fighting a hand-to-hand battle with the adversary of souls. These He encouraged to persevere, assuring them that they would win; for angels of God were on their side, and would give them the victory. Those whom He thus helped were convinced that here was One in whom they could trust with perfect confidence. He would not betray the secrets they poured into His sympathizing ear.” –Ellen White, Desire of Ages, Pages 91-92
Can you speak encouraging words this week to someone who is fighting a hand-to-hand battle with the adversary of souls?
