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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 Does the Bible Say About Singleness and Marriage?Enjoy Life Forever!—An Interactive Bible Course
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LESSON 42
What Does the Bible Say About Singleness and Marriage?
In some cultures, people believe that a person cannot be happy unless he or she gets married. Yet, not all married people are happy and not all single people are unhappy. The truth is that the Bible refers to both singleness and marriage as gifts.
1. What are some benefits of being single?
The Bible says: “Whoever marries does well, but whoever does not marry will do better.” (Read 1 Corinthians 7:32, 33, 38.) In what ways can a single person “do better”? Single Christians do not have to look after the needs of a mate. Thus, they generally have more freedom. For example, some are able to expand their ministry in interesting ways, such as by traveling to another land to preach the good news. Above all, they can spend more time drawing close to Jehovah.
2. What are some benefits of being legally married?
Marriage, like singleness, brings unique benefits. The Bible says that “two are better than one.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9) This is especially true of Christians who apply Bible principles in their marriage. Couples who legally marry make a commitment to love, respect, and cherish each other. As a result, they often feel more secure than do couples who simply live together. And marriage provides a secure foundation for raising a family.
3. How does Jehovah view marriage?
When Jehovah performed the first marriage, he said: “A man will leave his father and his mother and he will stick to his wife.” (Genesis 2:24) Jehovah wants a husband and wife to love and stick to each other for as long as they are alive. He allows divorce only when a mate is guilty of adultery. In such a case, Jehovah gives the innocent mate the right to decide whether he or she will get a divorce.a (Matthew 19:9) Jehovah does not approve of polygamy among Christians.—1 Timothy 3:2.
DIG DEEPER
Learn how you can be happy—and make Jehovah happy—whether you are single or married.
4. Make good use of the gift of singleness
Jesus viewed singleness as a gift. (Matthew 19:11, 12) Read Matthew 4:23, and then discuss this question:
How did Jesus use the gift of singleness to serve his Father and to help others?
Christians can enjoy using their singleness as Jesus did. Play the VIDEO, and then discuss the question that follows.
In what rewarding ways can Christians use their singleness?
Did you know?
The Bible does not give a minimum age for marriage. However, it encourages a person to wait until he is “past the bloom of youth,” a time when strong sexual feelings can distort a young person’s judgment.—1 Corinthians 7:36.
5. Choose your mate wisely
Choosing your mate is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. Read Matthew 19:4-6, 9, and then discuss this question:
Why should a Christian not rush into marriage?
The Bible can help you know what to look for in a marriage mate. Above all, look for a marriage mate who loves Jehovah.b Read 1 Corinthians 7:39 and 2 Corinthians 6:14. Then discuss these questions:
Why should we marry only a fellow Christian?
How do you think Jehovah would feel about our marrying someone who does not love Him?
If two animals that are very different are yoked together, they will suffer. Likewise, a Christian who marries an unbeliever will have many problems
6. View marriage as Jehovah does
In ancient Israel, some men divorced their wives for selfish reasons. Read Malachi 2:13, 14, 16, and then discuss this question:
Why does Jehovah hate an unjust divorce?
Adultery and divorce hurt the innocent mate and the children
Play the VIDEO, and then discuss the question that follows.
If you are married to an unbeliever, what can you do to make your marriage successful?
7. Apply Jehovah’s standards for marriage
A person may need to make great efforts to apply Jehovah’s standards for marriage.c But Jehovah blesses those who do. Play the VIDEO.
Read Hebrews 13:4, and then discuss these questions:
Do you think that Jehovah’s standards for marriage are reasonable? Why, or why not?
Jehovah expects Christians to register their marriages and divorces, as in most countries these are governed by civil authorities. Read Titus 3:1, and then discuss this question:
If you are married, are you sure that your marriage is legally recognized by the government?
SOMEONE MAY ASK: “Why get married? Can’t a couple just live together?”
How would you answer?
SUMMARY
Singleness and marriage are gifts from Jehovah. Either can bring joy and satisfaction if enjoyed in harmony with Jehovah’s will.
Review
How can a person make good use of his or her singleness?
Why does the Bible say to marry only a fellow Christian?
What is the only Scriptural basis for divorce?
EXPLORE
What does marrying “only in the Lord” mean?
Watch two dramatizations that can help you make good decisions about dating and marriage.
Learn why one brother feels that what Jehovah has given him is much more valuable than anything he gave up.
What are some things that a person should consider before contemplating divorce or separation?
“Honor ‘What God Has Yoked Together’” (The Watchtower, December 2018)
b In some cultures, parents choose a marriage mate for their son or daughter. When that is the case, loving parents first consider, not the money or social standing of the potential spouse, but whether he or she loves Jehovah.
c If you are living with someone out of wedlock, whether you leave the person or marry is a personal decision.
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