The following course outline has been successfully used as the basis for classes for younger to middle teens. Following is part one of the first section.
Bible Principles for Conduct with the Opposite Sex
Introduction.
- Necessity of laws in life.
A. Without laws or rules = chaos. Divine laws are designed for our salvation.
B. Examples — Law of Moses, Commands of Christ, traffic laws, other? - The Bible must be our only guide.
A. Upon being questioned concerning their doctrine, Peter and the other apostles told the high priest, “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).
B. Paul told the Galatians, “Do I now persuade men, or God, or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ” (Gal. 1:10).
C. Many years before the time of Christ and the New Testament, Joshua told Israel to “Choose you this day whom ye will serve, as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Josh. 24:15).
D. The Bible has told us about many people who are examples for us (I Cor. 10:11).
1. The deeds of righteous people are described– Noah, Abraham, Joseph, David, the supreme example of Christ, others?
2. The deeds of wicked people are also described– Cain, Jeroboam, Ahaz, Judas, others?
3. Wicked actions are described –Lot’s daughters, David’s sin with Uriah and Bathsheba, others? - We are no different from people throughout the ages. We have the same temptations, desires and problems. Our answers lie within the pages of our Bibles. Reading and studying the word are essential to finding the divine guidelines for everyday life, II Peter 1:19-21; II Tim. 3:15-16. Jesus said, “My peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). What does this mean?
Basic Principles.
- Temptations common to all teenagers in every age.
A. The urgency of getting it right — “Life has to be lived under its present conditions, and it is the present problems we have to deal with. Christianity is for people with problems, although it is not a way of solving them completely or of avoiding difficulties; rather it is a way of living through them. For it is not character that will be remade when Christ comes again, only bodies. The character must be remade now” (Youth At The Crossroads).
B. The overall guideline — Jesus gave us the golden rule to govern our lives: “Whatever you would like men to do to you, do just the same to them; that is the meaning of the Law and the prophets” (Mt. 7:12).
C. You are having to cope with a profound human emotion.
1. In adolescence, we experience new urges, drives and desires. Discuss the physical and emotional changes experienced.
2. Consider the appeals to those desires in advertising, movies, TV programs, books, magazines.
3. What does “vicarious” mean? How do people try to take advantage of that aspect of human nature to sell products, movie tickets and books? - What does God say about sex in scripture?
A. “Everything God made is good, and is meant to be gratefully used, not despised” ( I Tim. 4:3). Sexual desire was created in man, thus it is very good, for all of God’s creation was “very good.”
B. This whole area is obviously important, as indicated by the frequent reference to sexual matters under the Law of Moses.
1. Exodus 21:7-11, women purchased as wives.
2. Leviticus 15:16-33 laws regarding uncleanness of men and women.
3. Leviticus 18, unlawful marriages, unlawful lusts.
4. Various laws regulating sexual practices: Lev. 20:10-21; Num. 5:1 1- 31; Deut. 22:22-30; 25:5.
C. What does God Command concerning sexual desires and sexual fulfillment?
A. God sanctified marriage in the beginning: “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” (Gen. 2:24). What does this mean? Read Hebrews 13:4.
B. Jesus repeated the same ideal regarding marriage (Mt. 19:4,5).
C. Biblical teaching is clear throughout both the Old and New Testaments: no sexual intercourse outside of marriage and complete faithfulness within it. Israel was condemned over and over for adopting the sexual practices of the pagans. Often these practices were in connection with the heathen idolatry of the Gentiles: homosexual priests and priestesses practiced sexual acts within the temple as part of worship (Bible Almanac, p. 146). What are the implications for the people who lived in those societies? What of God’s laws where people lived side by side with these idol worshipers? Read Leviticus 19:29 and Deuteronomy 23:17. One of Josiah’s reforms was “to break down the houses of the sodomites” (II Kgs. 23:7). The term, “harlot” is often used concerning Israel, who had “played the harlot.” Check your concordance for the number of times this expression is used. What does it mean? How does Romans 1:24,25 apply?
D. Paul’s instructions — read I Corinthians 6:13-20. Discuss: Contrast marriage as the ideal and being joined to a harlot in v. 15. Consider our body being the temple of God’s spirit. How do we use it? - Even as Israel was pressured to be like her neighbors, we feel pressure to conform to those around us.
A. “Everyone is doing it. Why shouldn’t I?” What is God’s answer to that? Rom. 12:1,2.
B. “I’m not hurting anyone else; it is my own business.” Answer? To whom do we belong? (I Cor. 6:15,20: Mt. 5:16; Rev. 5:9,10).
C. “I am not baptized. I can do as I want. Later, baptism will wash away my sins.” Answer? What would Jesus say? Read Romans 6:1,2. What is wrong with the attitude shown in the above statement?
D. “Sexual desire is a natural, human desire. I have a right to be happy, to make someone else happy by giving in to my feelings.” What is a scriptural answer to this statement? Why does Paul say to “Flee fornication?” Read I Corinthians 10: 7,8; Ephesians 5:3; I Thessalonians 4:1-8.
E. “My boyfriend will leave me if I don’t go all the way.” Answer? “We are deeply in love.” Answer?
F. “We plan to be married later so it is alright to go all the way.” Answer?
G. Other excuses? - God’s way versus man’s way.
A. How do God’s commandments concerning sexual desires conflict with today’s attitudes toward sex? How about classes in school concerning sex education? What about the concept of “safe sex,” the use of contraceptives to avoid unwanted children? Is anything wrong with that concept when compared with the teachings of God?
B. How does the golden rule which Jesus gave fit into our attitudes toward sex? Or does it fit at all? Explain.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One