Category: Staff

Daniel 6:3

“Then the commissioners and satraps began trying to find a ground of accusation against Daniel in regard to government affairs; but they could find no ground of accusation or evidence of corruption, inasmuch as he was faithful, and no negligence or corruption was to be found in him. Then these men said, ‘We will not find any ground of accusation against this Daniel unless we find it against him with regard to the law of his God.’ Then these commissioners and satraps came by agreement to  the  king  and  spoke  to  him  as  follows:  ‘King  Darius,  live  forever!  All  the  commissioners  of  the  kingdom,  the  prefects  and  the satraps, the high officials and the governors have consulted together that the king should establish a statute and enforce an injunction that anyone who makes a petition to any god or man besides you, O king, for thirty days, shall be cast into the lions’ den. Now, O king, establish the injunction and sign the document so that it may not be changed, according to the law of  the  Medes  and  Persians,  which  may  not  be  revoked.’  Therefore  King  Darius  signed  the  document,  that  is,  the  injunction.  Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously. Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and supplication before his God. Then they approached and spoke before the king about the king’s injunction, ‘Did you not sign an injunction that any man who makes a petition to any god or man besides you, O king, for thirty days, is to be cast into the lions’ den?’ The king replied, ‘the statement is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be revoked.’ Then they answered and spoke before the king, ‘Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the injunction which you signed, but keeps making his petition three times a day.’ Then, as soon as the king heard this statement, he was deeply distressed and set his mind on delivering Daniel; and even until sunset he kept exerting himself to rescue him. Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king, ‘Recognize, O king, that it is the law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or statute which the king establishes may be changed.’ Then the king gave orders, and Daniel was brought in and cast into the lions’ den. The king spoke and said to Daniel, ‘Your God whom you constantly serve will Himself deliver you.’”

Proverbs 1:33

“But he who listens to me shall live securely and will be at ease from the dread of evil.”

How do you relate to Daniel in 21st Century teenage life?

(Personal Answer)

What false idols are you tempted to bow down to, and how do you honor God by not yielding to the temptation?

(Personal Answer)

Daniel 6:19-23

“Then the king arose at dawn, at the break of day, and went in haste to the lions’ den. When he had come near the den to Daniel, he cried out with a troubled voice. The king spoke and said to Daniel, ‘Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you constantly serve, been able to deliver you from the lions?’ Then Daniel spoke to the king, ‘O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths and they have not harmed me, inasmuch I was found innocent before Him and also toward you, O king, I have committed no crime.’ Then the king was very pleased and gave orders for Daniel to be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den and no injury whatever was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.”

Proverbs 2:1-6

“My son, if you will receive my words and treasure my commandments within you, Make your ear attentive to wisdom, incline your heart to understanding; For if you cry for discernment lift your voice for understanding; If you seek her as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures; They you will discern the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.”

How does Daniel inspire you to live before God?

(Personal Answer)

What is Proverbs saying about achieving such a goal?

“It brought glory to God, because it allowed God to come through for Daniel.  Daniel could have easily submitted to the King’s wishes to eat his food and drink his wine, but he didn’t and God blessed Daniel in appearance.  Daniel could have easily submitted to the king’s decree and not prayed to God for 30 days, but he didn’t and God delivered Daniel from the mouth of lions’.  It was because of Daniel’s unwavering faith and dedication to the Lord that God used to display His glory in mighty ways.”

Daniel 6:25-27

“Then Darius the king wrote to all the peoples, nations and men of every language who were living in all the land: “May your peace abound! I make a decree that in all the dominion of my kingdom men are to fear and tremble before the God of Daniel;” Proverbs 2:7-22“He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, Guarding the paths of justice, and He preserves the way of His godly ones. Then you will discern righteousness and justice and equity and every good course. For wisdom will enter your heart and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; Discretion will guard you, understanding will watch over you, to deliver you from the way of evil, from the man who speaks perverse things; from those who leave the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness; Who delight in doing evil and rejoice in the perversity of evil; whose paths are crooked, and who are devious in their ways; to deliver you from the strange woman, from the adulteress who flatters with her words; That leaves the companion of her youth and forgets the covenant of her God; for the house sinks down to death and her tracks lead to the dead; None who go to her return again, nor do they reach the paths of life. So you will walk in the way of good men and keep to the paths of righteous. For the upright will live in the land and the blameless will remain in it; but the wicked will be cut off from the land and the treacherous will be uprooted from it. “

How did Daniel’s quest for purity, dedication and unwavering loyalty bring glory to God?

“It brought glory to God, because it allowed God to come through for Daniel.  Daniel could have easily submitted to the King’s wishes to eat his food and drink his wine, but he didn’t and God blessed Daniel in appearance.  Daniel could have easily submitted to the king’s decree and not prayed to God for 30 days, but he didn’t and God delivered Daniel from the mouth of lions’.  It was because of Daniel’s unwavering faith and dedication to the Lord that God used to display His glory in mighty ways.“

How is God using you today to do the same?

(Personal Answer)

How do you want him to use you tomorrow?

(Personal Answer)

APPLICATION:

How do these passages relate to me today? What changes does it bring to my life? 

LOCKER ROOM: 

What is the most difficult thing you have ever faced? How did you deal with it?

MEMORY VERSE:

Daniel 1:8  

“But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permis-sion from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself.”

MY PRAYER

Adoration: Father, today I praise You for…

Confession: Father, please forgive me for…

Thanksgiving: Father, today I’m thankful for…

Supplication: Father, the people and things that I wish to pray for today are…

Mark these Key Words: Follow, Faith, Ransom

Matthew 16:24-27

“Then  Jesus  said  to  His  disciples,  ‘If  anyone  wishes  to  come  after  Me,  he  must  deny  himself,  and  take  up  his  cross  and  follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every man according to his deeds.’”

What Cross are you carrying for Jesus?

A Cross that we can carry for Jesus is to be bold for His name, and share our faith with our friends/family.  Jesus gave it all for us, and part of denying our self and picking up our Cross is to proclaim and share what He did for us on the Cross.

How are you “denying yourself” to follow Jesus in your current lifestyle?

In order to deny yourself, you must be willing to give up everything and anything to chase after and follow Jesus.  What are you hanging onto?  Maybe a girlfriend, or the American dream, whatever it is, you must be willing to set it aside for the calling that Jesus has on your life.  God will honor this mentality! “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?”

Matthew 17:20

“And He said to them, ‘Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.’”

In what ways are you exercising your faith lately?

What mountains are there in your life currently? You can exercise your faith by spending time in prayer as a group for those mountains, and trust that God can do a lot with just a little faith.

Matthew 18:3 & 4

“And said, ‘Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.’”

What is Jesus saying to you personally in this passage?

God is concerned with your humility.  Jesus displayed the greatest act of humility as He gave His life for the world (Philippians 2:6-8).  He calls you to humble yourself as much as possible, and wants you to have the innocence of a child when it comes to your faith.

Matthew 19: 5 & 6

“and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.” 

How are you honoring your future wife in the way you are treating girls in the past 30 days?

Purity is of utmost importance to God!  One day, you will be joined with another woman/man.  It is never too late to start over and walk in purity.  Be willing to do whatever it takes to have purity of the eyes, mind, heart and soul (Job 31:1, Hebrews 12:1).

Matthew 20:26-28

“It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for man.”

How are you living this passage out with your mom lately? Your team/classmates?

Serving your mom could look like doing the dishes, mowing the lawn, or taking her out to dinner.  With your team/classmates you could serve them by writing an encouraging note, picking up their tab at a restaurant, or asking them how you can pray for them.

Matthew 22:35-40

“One of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, ‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’ And He said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”

The greatest commandment! I’m Third! How are you living out that motto and how do you intend to live it out this week?

(Personal Answer)

APPLICATION:

How do these passages relate to me today? What changes does it bring to my life? 

LOCKER ROOM: 

What are some practical ways that you can practice “putting yourself last” this week?

MEMORY VERSE:

Matthew 20:28   “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

MY PRAYER

Adoration: Father, today I praise You for…

Confession: Father, please forgive me for…

Thanksgiving: Father, today I’m thankful for…

Supplication: Father, the people and things that I wish to pray for today are…

Mark these Key Words: Word, Life, God

John 1:1 & 2

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.” 

What does this verse say about the deity of Jesus Christ?

It shows that God and Jesus were together in the beginning, which proves that He is fully God.

John 2:14 & 15

“And He found in the temple those who are selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. And He made a scourge of cords, and drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen; and He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.”

If your body is a “temple of the Holy Spirit” what do these verses say to you about your activities with your “temple of the Holy Spirit” if Jesus came inside?

Jesus values and cares about the house of God.  As Christians, we should be men and women who take care of our temple.  Our bodies are the dwelling place of God, and we should conduct ourselves in absolute purity, we should not put harmful substances into our bodies, and we should take care of our health to preserve the dwelling place of God while on this earth.

John 3:20 & 21

“For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”  

How are The Word of God and the Spirit of God like a flashlight in the dark cave?

The only way you can get rid of darkness is through light, in other words, because light kills darkness.  Picture yourself attempting to navigate the “Kanakuk cave” with no flashlight.  Similarly, the only way you can kill sin and navigate this dark world is through God’s Word and the power of the Holy Spirit (Psalm 119:11, Galatians 5:16).  Turn on the lights!

John 4:13 & 14

“Jesus answered and said to her, ‘Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.” 

How is Jesus’ indwelling Spirit like water that keeps you from being thirsty ever again?

Jesus is not talking about a limited and temporary earthly experience; He is speaking of an indwelling Spirit who will meet our needs in time and in eternity.  Obedience and trust is great evidence of God’s indwelling Spirit inside of us.  Trust God, obey His commands, follow Jesus, and accept the grace He freely bestows, and you will never thirst again.

John 5:6-8

“When Jesus say him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, ‘Do you wish to get well?’ The sick man answered Him, ‘Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me.’ Jesus said him, ‘Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.’”

What does Jesus’ conversation with the sick man say to you personally?

(Personal Answer)

John 6:35

“Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.’”

How is Jesus speaking to your heart when He says “I am the bread of life?”

(Personal Answer)

APPLICATION:

How do these passages relate to me today? What changes does it bring to my life?

LOCKER ROOM: 

What about Jesus make Him unique in these verses to any other spiritual figure in history? 

MEMORY VERSE:

John 1:1-2

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 [a]He was in the beginning with God.”

MY PRAYER

Adoration: Father, today I praise You for…

Confession: Father, please forgive me for…

Thanksgiving: Father, today I’m thankful for…Supplication: Father, the people and things that I wish to pray for today are…

John 7:18

“He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.”

In what ways do you use your talents for your own glory?

(Personal Answer)

In what ways do you use your talents for God’s glory?

When we acknowledge that nothing we possess comes by our own doing, and acknowledge that everything comes from God, we are using our talents for His glory.  Whether it be intelligence, athletic ability, or a creative mind it all comes from the Lord, and those talents and gifts can be developed through our own merit and hard-work, but we should always give the glory back to God (James 1:17, John 1:3).

John 8:10 & 11

“Straightening up, Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?’ She said, ‘No one, Lord.’ And Jesus said, ‘I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on and sin no more.’”

What does Jesus’ conversation with the adulteress woman say to you personally?

(Personal Answer)

John 9:3

“Jesus answered, ‘it was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of the God might be displayed in him.’”

What is the purpose of Jesus’ miracles? When people see the “miracle” of God’s transformation of your life, how can you use that transformation for God’s glory?

One clear purpose of miracles was to authenticate the character of Jesus and his relationship with His heavenly Father.  Miracles manifested Jesus’ and glory, and helped display that He was who He said He was.  Miracles also helped to display His Grace and foreshadowed what He was going to do on the Cross when He would heal people.  Because God has healed you and transformed you through His work on the Cross (2 Corinthians 5:17), you can use that transformation for His glory by telling others your testimony (Revelation 12:11).

John 10:10

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

What does Jesus mean with He says to you, ‘I have come to give you life abundantly?”

It was through His death on the Cross and then defeating death through resurrecting from the dead that He gave us life.  When Jesus says He wants us to have life and have it to the full, He knows that the only way we can achieve this is through Him and what He did on that cross.

John 11: 9 & 10

“Jesus answered, ‘Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.’

How has Jesus’ life in you kept you from stumbling in recent months?

(Personal Answer)

What causes you to stumble the most and how can Jesus help you?

(Personal Answer)

APPLICATION:

How do these passages relate to me today? What changes does it bring to my life? 

LOCKER ROOM: 

What are some ways we can communicate with God regularly?

MEMORY VERSE:

John 10:10 

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

MY PRAYER

Adoration: Father, today I praise You for…

Confession: Father, please forgive me for…

Thanksgiving: Father, today I’m thankful for…

Supplication: Father, the people and things that I wish to pray for today are…

The Body is the Lord’s Part 1

Mark these Key Words: Sin, God, Holy Spirit

1 Corinthians 6:19

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?” 

What does the “temple of the Holy Spirit” mean?

1 Corinthians 6:20

“For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.”

With what price did God purchase your body?

1 Corinthians 6:18

“Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body?”  

What is God saying when He says, “the immoral man sins against his own body?”

Why is sexual immorality worse than other sins?

John 8:34

“Jesus answered them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin…’”   

How does sin enslave you?

1 Corinthians 6:12

“All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.”  

What is God saying in this passage?

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5

“For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God.”

If sanctification means to be “set apart” for God’s honor and glory, what is this passage urging you to do with your “vessel” (your body)?

APPLICATION:

How do these passages relate to me today? What changes does it bring to my life? 

LOCKER ROOM: 

What does God’s Word say is the reason for purity?

MEMORY VERSE:

1 Corinthians 6:12

 “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.”

MY PRAYER

Adoration: Father, today I praise You for…

Confession: Father, please forgive me for…

Thanksgiving: Father, today I’m thankful for…Supplication: Father, the people and things that I wish to pray for today are…

Mark these Key Words: Sin, God, Holy Spirit

1 Corinthians 6:19

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?” 

What does the “temple of the Holy Spirit” mean?

It means the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit.  In Old Testament times, the Holy Spirit was within the temple, and had a specific room called the holy of holies in which he dwelled.  After Jesus came and gave His life for us on the cross, He took our sin and we became the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21).  It was because of this act that we became the new “temple” and dwelling place for the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 6:20

“For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.”

With what price did God purchase your body?

God purchased us through the death of His son on the Cross.

1 Corinthians 6:18

“Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body?”  

What is God saying when He says, “the immoral man sins against his own body?”

God is saying that immorality is against your own body, and ultimately sinning against the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. 

Why is sexual immorality worse than other sins?

Sexual sin is worse because it is against the human body; Christians are committing the sin against the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit.

John 8:34

“Jesus answered them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin…’”   

How does sin enslave you?

Everyone is a slave in the spiritual sense. We are either slaves to sin, which is our natural state, or we are slaves to Christ.  When Christ died on the Cross for our sins He paid the penalty, and allowed us to become slaves to righteousness (Romans 6:18) instead of sin.

1 Corinthians 6:12

“All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.”  

What is God saying in this passage?

God is saying that we have been set free from the law!  Therefore, we have the freedom to take part in “all things”, but due to our sin nature and love for Christ, we abstain from certain things to show our reverence and love for Jesus and to not be mastered by anything. 

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5

“For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God.”

If sanctification means to be “set apart” for God’s honor and glory, what is this passage urging you to do with your “vessel” (your body)?

This passage is urging us to be set apart, and abstain from sexual immorality.  We must do whatever it takes to set our vessels apart for holiness (Hebrews 12:1).

APPLICATION:

How do these passages relate to me today? What changes does it bring to my life? 

LOCKER ROOM: 

What does God’s Word say is the reason for purity?

MEMORY VERSE:

1 Corinthians 6:12

 “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.”

MY PRAYER

Adoration: Father, today I praise You for…

Confession: Father, please forgive me for…

Thanksgiving: Father, today I’m thankful for…

Supplication: Father, the people and things that I wish to pray for today are…

2 Timothy 2:20-22

“Now in a large hours there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.”

What is a “vessel for honor” when talking about your body according to this passage?

A vessel of honor is a vessel that “cleanses himself from these things.”

What activities need to be avoided to maintain your body as a “vessel of honor?” What activities need to be encouraged?

Avoid youthful lust and encourage a pursuit of righteous, faith, love and peace.

Proverbs 23:31-35

“Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly; at the last it bites like a serpent and stings like a viper. Your eyes will see strange things and your mind will utter perverse things. And you will be like one who lies down in the middle of the sea, or like one who lies down on the top of a mast. They struck me, but I did not become ill; they beat me, but I did not know it. When shall I awake? I will seek another drink.” 

What is the warning here?

It is a warning against drunkenness.

Name three reasons drinking alcohol is a bad decision.

• Can lead to fornication
• Causes others to stumble
• Impairs judgment

Ephesians 5:18

“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit…” ”

How does the Holy Spirit fill you?

The Spirit fills us through faith, and dwells within us.

How does the Holy Spirit empower you to say no?

As the Holy Spirit dwells within us He acts as our helper and guide to assist us in our battle against sin.

John 16:8, 13

“And He (the Holy Spirit), when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment…But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come…”

How does the Holy Spirit guide you?

 He convicts us and guides us into all truth.

APPLICATION:

How do these passages relate to me today? What changes does it bring to my life? 

LOCKER ROOM: 

What is your greatest temptation and how are you overcoming it?

MEMORY VERSE:

1 Corinthians 6:9 

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own.”

MY PRAYER

Adoration: Father, today I praise You for…

Confession: Father, please forgive me for…

Thanksgiving: Father, today I’m thankful for…

Supplication: Father, the people and things that I wish to pray for today are…

Mark these Key Words: Body, Abstain, Honor

1 Corinthians 6:18-20

“Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.”

If your body, heart and mind is the place where Jesus lives and if indeed He purchased your being with His blood on The Cross, describe the standard of personal purity you need to live by.

The standard is “not even a hint” (Ephesians 5:3).  Luckily, as we fall short of this standard, there is ever-lasting grace to reconcile us to God; however, this is the standard God has called us to strive for.  He doesn’t set this as our standard to punish us or spoil our fun; after all, He is the one who thought up sex in the first place.  God knows best, and wants us to have the best life possible!

2 Timothy 2:22

“Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.”

What is a “pure heart” and what does this verse tell you about your personal standards for movies, television and social media time?

A pure heart is one that is clean, blameless and unstained from guilt.  This verse tells us to pursue righteousness, which means we should be careful about the media we allow into our hearts and mind.

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5

“For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God.” 

In terms of sexual themes, innuendos, and pictures; what standard would Jesus live? G, PG, PG-13, R, X? What standards is He asking you to live? (Describe your answer.)

Jesus would live by the standard “not even a hint” perfectly.  This is the same standard He desires us to pursue.

Hebrews 13:4

“Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.”  

How can you ensure that your marriage bed will be undefiled?

You can ensure that by believing you have become a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), so Christ took all your sin and nailed it to the Cross.  Also, by pursuing righteousness from this point forward and saving yourself for your spouse.

At what point in your relationship does sexual activity become acceptable? Dating, in love, engaged, marriage?

Marriage

A CLEAN SLATE

Romans 8:1

“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

Mark 1:15

“And saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”1 John 1:9“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Galatians 2:20

“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”

What is God saying to you about your past, present and future?

FOR FUTURE STUDY

Describe Dave’s fallacies and what you learn from his mistakes.

APPLICATION:

How do these passages relate to me today? What changes does it bring to my life?

LOCKER ROOM: 

Who is the purest man you know? How can you start becoming more like Him?

MEMORY VERSE:

Job 31:1 

“I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin?”

MY PRAYER

Adoration: Father, today I praise You for…

Confession: Father, please forgive me for…

Thanksgiving: Father, today I’m thankful for…

Supplication: Father, the people and things that I wish to pray for today are…

Mark these Key Words: Foundation, Image, God

THE AUTHORITY OF SCRIPTURE

2 Timothy 3:15-17

“…and that from childhood you have known the sacred writing which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”

What is the purpose of the Bible?

According to this verse, “teaching, reproof, correcting and training in righteousness” to be equipped for every good work.  Also, the Bible reveals the story of God’s redemption to the world.

1 Peter 1:20

“For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you.”

Describe the authority behind the words of the Bible.

Foreknowledge of Jesus shows that the Bible has all along been about Jesus coming for people.  Jesus holds authority over me, because He saved me.

JESUS THE CREATOR

John 1:3

“All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.”

What was Jesus role in man’s creation?

His role in the creation of man is spelled out in the text.  “ALL THINGS came into being through Him.”

Colossians 1:15

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.”

Through whom were you created?

“The firstborn” shows that we are in His image.  Genesis 1:26-27 -> Connect OT & NT to the same message.

JESUS’S VIEW OF GENDER IDENTITY

Matthew 19:4 & 5

“And He answered and said, ‘Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.’”

When was man created on this earth?

God created man “from the beginning” and from the beginning there was distinction.

Mark 10:6-8

“But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother, and the two shall become one flesh; so they are no longer two, but one flesh.”

Describe God’s decision for marriage.

God made man and woman different to compliment and make each other better as they become one in marriage.

APPLICATION:

How do these passages relate to me today? What changes does it bring to my life?

LOCKER ROOM:

How would you defend Jesus’ view of gender identity with unbelievers?

MEMORY VERSE:

John 1:3

“All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.”

MY PRAYER

Adoration: Father, today I praise You for…

Confession: Father, please forgive me for…

Thanksgiving: Father, today I’m thankful for…

Supplication: Father, the people and things that I wish to pray for today are…

NEW TESTAMENT THEOLOGY ON HOMOSEXUAL BEHAVIOR

Romans 1:26-28

“For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, mem with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.”

Name four adjective that the Bible used to describe the practice of homosexuality.

Exchanged natural = male -> female for unnatural = male -> male, so God gave them over to these unnatural and indecent acts.

1 Corinthians 6:9 & 10

“Or do you not know that the unrighteousness will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.” 

What is God’s view on homosexual activity?

God judges it -> It’s outside of God’s design for sexual activity.

NEW TESTAMENT THEOLOGY ON SEXUAL IMMORALITY

1 Corinthians 6:18-20

“Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?”

How bad does God feel about sexual immorality?

He hates it!  We are sinning against the temple of the Holy Spirit.  We are not our own, because we have been bought with a price.

2 Timothy 2:22

“Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.”

What are we to do about sexual desires?

Flee and replace with faith, love and peace.  Flee is an aggressive word, are you fighting to flee?

JUDGING

Romans 2:1

“Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgement, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.”

Why is it wrong to judge others?

We are all unrighteous, but Christ made us righteous through what He has done on the Cross (2 Corinthians 5:21).  God is the only one who may judge.

Matthew 7:1-5

“Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”

Describe self-righteousness.

Ignoring the log and calling it a speck. It’s being a Pharisee. Thinking you are better and not in need of God’s daily portion of Grace.

CONFESSION AND REPENTANCE RESTORE RIGHTEOUSNESS

1 John 1:9

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

How do we regain peace with God?

IF we confess.  Confession=Humility to submit to God’s authority.

Psalm 32:3-5

“When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer. I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I did not hide; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord’; and You will forgave the guilt of my sin.”

What does God require for our forgiveness?

Expose our iniquity to God, ask to be forgiven and then believe that you are!  So many people ask for forgiveness and then wonder if they will actually receive that forgiveness.  We must trust and believe that God is not a liar!

APPLICATION:

How do these passages relate to me today? What changes does it bring to my life?

LOCKER ROOM:

Why do you think sexual purity is so important to God?

MEMORY VERSE:

Psalm 66:18 

“If I regard wickedness in my heart, The Lord will not hear.”

MY PRAYER

Adoration: Father, today I praise You for…

Confession: Father, please forgive me for…

Thanksgiving: Father, today I’m thankful for…

Supplication: Father, the people and things that I wish to pray for today are…

Mark these Key words: Future, Providing, Sovereign

Psalm 103:19

“The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all.”

Daniel 7:27 (b)

“His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all the dominions will serve and obey Him.”

Daniel 4:17

“This sentence is by the decree of the angelic watchers and the decision is a command of the holy ones, in order that the living may know that the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, and bestows it on whom He wishes and sets over it the lowliest of men.” 

Daniel 4:35

“All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, but He does according to His will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of earth; and no one can ward off His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?”

Why is this core characteristic of God monumental in your personal faith experience?

These verses point to the sovereignty of God.  When we see He is in control of all, we can rest that surely He is in control of our lives as well.