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What Is God’s Kingdom?Enjoy Life Forever!—An Interactive Bible Course
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7. God’s Kingdom has superior laws
Governments make laws that are supposed to benefit and protect their citizens. God’s Kingdom too has laws that its citizens must follow. Read 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, and then discuss these questions:
What do you think the world will be like when everyone follows God’s rules of conduct?a
Do you think it is reasonable for Jehovah to expect citizens of the Kingdom to respect these rules? Why?
What shows that people who are not obeying these laws can change?—See verse 11.
Governments enact laws to protect and benefit their citizens. God’s Kingdom has superior laws to protect and benefit its citizens
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What Does the Bible Say About Sex?Enjoy Life Forever!—An Interactive Bible Course
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LESSON 41
What Does the Bible Say About Sex?
Many people feel uncomfortable talking about sex. However, when the Bible mentions sex, it does so in a frank but dignified way. What it says benefits us. That makes sense. After all, Jehovah is our Creator. So he knows what is best for us. He shows us how our actions can please him and what will help us to enjoy life forever.
1. What is Jehovah’s view of sex?
Sex is a gift from Jehovah. He wants it to be enjoyed by a man and a woman who are married to each other. This gift allows couples not only to have children but also to express their mutual love and affection in a natural and pleasurable way. That is why God’s Word states: “May you rejoice with the wife of your youth.” (Proverbs 5:18, 19) Jehovah expects married Christians to be loyal to their mate, so they would never commit adultery.—Read Hebrews 13:4.
2. What is sexual immorality?
The Bible tells us that “those who are sexually immoral . . . will not inherit God’s Kingdom.” (1 Corinthians 6:9, 10) Bible writers who wrote in Greek used the word por·neiʹa to describe sexual immorality. That word includes (1) sexual relationsa between people who are not married to each other, (2) homosexuality, and (3) bestiality. We please Jehovah and benefit ourselves when we “abstain from sexual immorality.”—1 Thessalonians 4:3.
DIG DEEPER
Consider how you can avoid sexual immorality and how you will benefit by staying morally clean.
3. Flee from sexual immorality
A faithful man named Joseph struggled to stay morally clean. Read Genesis 39:1-12, and then discuss these questions:
What motivated Joseph to flee?—See verse 9.
Do you think that Joseph made the right decision? Why?
How can young people imitate Joseph and flee from sexual immorality today? Play the VIDEO.
Jehovah wants all of us to reject immorality. Read 1 Corinthians 6:18, and then discuss these questions:
What situations could lead someone to commit sexual immorality?
How can you flee from immorality?
4. You can resist temptation
What can make it difficult to resist the temptation to commit sexual immorality? Play the VIDEO, and then discuss the question that follows.
When the brother in the video realized that his thoughts and actions could result in his being unfaithful to his wife, what did he do?
Even faithful Christians struggle at times to keep their thoughts clean. How can you avoid dwelling on immoral things? Read Philippians 4:8, and then discuss these questions:
What kind of things should we think about?
How can reading the Bible and keeping ourselves busy in Jehovah’s service help us resist the temptation to sin?
5. Jehovah’s standards benefit us
Jehovah knows what is best for us. He tells us how to keep morally clean and the benefits of doing so. Read Proverbs 7:7-27 or play the VIDEO, and then discuss the questions that follow.
How did the young man walk into a tempting situation?—See Proverbs 7:8, 9.
According to Proverbs 7:23, 26, sexual immorality can have serious consequences. If we stay morally clean, what problems can we avoid?
How can moral cleanness help us to enjoy life forever?
Some people think that what the Bible says about homosexuality is unloving. But Jehovah, the God of love, wants everyone to enjoy life forever. To qualify, we must live up to his standards. Read 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, and then discuss this question:
From God’s viewpoint, are homosexual desires the only improper ones?
In order to please God, all of us need to make changes. Is it worth the effort? Read Psalm 19:8, 11, and then discuss these questions:
Do you think that Jehovah’s moral standards are reasonable? Why, or why not?
Jehovah has helped many to conform to his moral standards. He can help you too
SOME PEOPLE SAY: “Sex between any two people is all right, as long as they love each other.”
What would you say?
SUMMARY
Sex is a gift from Jehovah for a husband and his wife to enjoy.
Review
What does sexual immorality include?
What will help us to avoid sexual immorality?
How do we benefit when we follow Jehovah’s moral standards?
EXPLORE
Examine why it matters to God whether couples marry or not.
“What Does the Bible Say About Living Together Without Marriage?” (Web article)
Consider why the Bible’s standard regarding homosexuality does not promote hatred.
Learn how God’s laws regarding all sexual activity protect us.
In the experience “They Treated Me With Dignity,” see what motivated a homosexual to change his way of life to please God.
a These disapproved relations include a variety of acts such as sexual intercourse, oral sex, anal sex, and fondling another person’s genitals in a sexual way.
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What if You Commit a Serious Sin?Enjoy Life Forever!—An Interactive Bible Course
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Even though you love Jehovah deeply and you try hard to avoid doing anything that would hurt him, you will occasionally make mistakes. However, some sins are more serious than others. (1 Corinthians 6:9, 10) If you commit a serious sin, remember that Jehovah has not stopped loving you; he is willing to forgive and help you.
1. What must we do to receive Jehovah’s forgiveness?
Those who love Jehovah are filled with sorrow when they realize that they have committed a serious sin. But they find comfort in what Jehovah promised his people: “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be made as white as snow.” (Isaiah 1:18) If we sincerely repent, Jehovah will completely forgive us. How do we repent? Moved by deep regret, we stop doing what is bad and beg Jehovah to forgive us. Then we work hard to change the wrong thinking or habits that led to our sin, and we try to live according to Jehovah’s clean standards.—Read Isaiah 55:6, 7.
2. How does Jehovah use the elders to help us when we sin?
If we commit a serious sin, Jehovah tells us to “call the elders of the congregation.” (Read James 5:14, 15.) These appointed men love Jehovah and his sheep. They are qualified to help us repair our relationship with Jehovah.—Galatians 6:1.
How do the elders help us if we commit a serious sin? Two or three elders will correct us, using Scriptural counsel. They will also give us practical suggestions and encouragement to help us avoid sinning again. To protect the congregation from harmful influences, the elders remove from the congregation any who commit serious sins and are unrepentant.
DIG DEEPER
Deepen your appreciation for how Jehovah helps us if we commit a serious sin.
3. Confessing helps us to heal
Any sin we commit involves Jehovah, so we rightly confess to him. Read Psalm 32:1-5, and then discuss this question:
Why is it good for us to confess our sins to Jehovah instead of trying to hide them?
In addition to confessing our sins to Jehovah, we find relief when we seek help from the elders. Play the VIDEO, and then discuss the question that follows.
In the video, how did elders help Canon return to Jehovah?
We need to be open and honest with the elders; they are there to help us. Read James 5:16, and then discuss this question:
How does being honest with the elders make it easier for them to help us?
Confess your sin, be honest with the elders, and accept Jehovah’s loving help
4. Jehovah shows mercy to sinners
If a person who has committed a serious sin refuses to follow Jehovah’s standards, he is removed from the congregation, and we do not socialize with him. Read 1 Corinthians 5:6, 11, and then discuss this question:
Just as leaven ferments bread dough, how would socializing with an unrepentant sinner affect the congregation?
In imitation of Jehovah’s mercy toward imperfect sinners, elders reach out and help those who have been removed from the congregation. Many have returned to the congregation because the discipline, although painful, brought them to their senses.—Psalm 141:5.
How does the way Jehovah deals with sinners show that he is reasonable, merciful, and loving?
5. Jehovah forgives us when we repent
Jesus used an illustration that helps us understand how Jehovah feels when a person repents. Read Luke 15:1-7, and then discuss this question:
What does this teach you about Jehovah?
Read Ezekiel 33:11, and then discuss this question:
Repentance involves what important step?
Like a shepherd, Jehovah cares deeply about his sheep
SOME PEOPLE SAY: “I’m afraid that if I tell the elders about my sin, they will remove me from the congregation.”
What would you say to someone who feels that way?
SUMMARY
If we commit a serious sin but are sincerely sorry and determined to stop doing what is bad, Jehovah will forgive us.
Review
Why is it good for us to confess our sins to Jehovah?
What do we need to do to have our sins forgiven?
If we commit a serious sin, why should we seek help from the elders?
EXPLORE
See how one man experienced Jehovah’s mercy that is described at Isaiah 1:18.
How do the elders try to help those who commit a serious sin?
“Responding to Sin With Love and Mercy” (The Watchtower, August 2024)
Consider how love and mercy are shown toward unrepentant sinners.
“Help for Those Who Are Removed From the Congregation” (The Watchtower, August 2024)
In the story “I Needed to Return to Jehovah,” learn why a man who strayed from the truth felt that Jehovah drew him back.
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