BASIC CHRISTIANITY Q&A
LESSON NUMBER 49– FEBRUARY 1, 2015
RIO Revolution Church – 3419 East Lamar Alexander Parkway – Maryville, Tennessee
www. riorevolution.net – (865) 984.9200 – Pacer Hepperly, Pastor
This lesson is written to teach basic concepts of Christianity. RIO Revolution Church desires that members and visitors begin
studying the basics of Christian faith. Please study each lesson, as we learn together what we Christians should know and
believe. Lessons are numbered. If you miss lessons, we have replacement lessons available for you. Please share copies of
any lessons you find useful with relatives, friends, neighbors, or co-workers. Help us spread the Good News (the Gospel),
which is: Jesus the Messiah died for our sins and is resurrected to live eternally with those who believe in and follow Him!
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TEACH ABOUT SEXUAL PURITY IN MARRIAGE (REPRODUCTION, FAMILY)?
THIS LESSON IS WRITTEN ESPECIALLY FOR UNMARRIED YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS.
INTRODUCTION. In the last two lessons, we taught what God's Word has to say about the value of life and lack of value of life (abortion).
In today's lesson, we will attempt to teach a few things God's Word says for all persons, that they have sexual relationships according to
God's plan. If all of God's children would follow His plan for reproduction and the family, abortion would infrequently be performed.
GOD'S PLAN FOR THE FAMILY OVERTURNED BY MAN. Sexuality (sexual drive, libido) is a gift from God– a gift which, when used
properly, creates a family of a man, a woman, and the next generation of children. In early verses of the Book of Genesis (Genesis,
chapters 1 and 2), we learn that God created humans in His image. (“His image” is His eternal Spirit, which we commonly call “soul.”) He
created man and woman, and commanded them to be “fruitful and multiply.” From this union of Adam and Eve came children. A family
(unfortunately, a dysfunctional family) was created. God ordained that a man and a woman should leave their parents' homes to create
their own home. This plan has served God's people– Jews and Christians– well for many generations. Satan and his followers are
vigorously attacking the family. God's enemies are proving stronger than the children of God. Modern families– including Christian
families– are weakening and even crumbling before our eyes. How much longer will the family survive? It is a calling from God for every
person to make his or her family as strong as possible and to help others keep their families strong (1 Timothy 5:8): But if anyone does
not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
MODERN MARRIAGES AND MODERN LIFESTYLES ARE FAILING GOD'S PLAN. God's clear plan for marriage is that one man and
one woman should marry, and this marriage should be a lifelong commitment to produce, God willing, children who honor and serve God.
Many marriages end in divorce. We will not present divorce statistics, because the percentages vary in different studies depending upon
the way the data are collected. Divorce rates are very high, though. Sadly, the divorce rate for Christian couples is approximately the
same as for non-Christian couples. Many Christians see nothing wrong with divorce, even though adultery is the only solid Scriptural
basis for divorce. The one man-one woman marriage model is being abandoned to accommodate gay marriages. Many Christians see
nothing wrong with gay marriages. Modern culture has failed God's plan for marriage and the family, as recorded in the Bible.
SCRIPTURES RELATED TO SEXUALITY. There are dozens of Scripture verses related to family, marriage, and sexual purity. We quote
only a small sample of these verses, following, summarized and paraphrased to conserve space. Read the entire, unedited passages in
your Bible. Understand words used in the Bible: “Adultery” refers to voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and someone
who is not his/ her spouse. “Fornication” refers to voluntary sexual intercourse between two persons who are not married to each other.
“Sexual immorality” may include either adultery or fornication. Note that these sexual sins are voluntarily committed. A rape victim (an
involuntary participant) has not sinned, but the rapist (a voluntary participant) has sinned. Note that all sexual intercourse, except between
a man and woman in wedlock (marriage), is sinful (falls short of God's plan), whether heterosexual or homosexual in nature. Christians
may be quick to condemn homosexual practices, but heterosexual immorality seems to be just as sinful in God's eyes.
●-(Exodus 20:14, one of the Ten Commandments): God commanded, “You shall not commit adultery.”
●-(Hebrews 13:4): Let the marriage bed be held in honor and undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.
●-(1 Corinthians 6:18): The sexually immoral person sins against his own body.
●-(1 Corinthians 6:13): The body is not meant for sexual immorality.
●-(1Thessalonians 4:3-5): God's will is that you abstain from sexual immorality and know how to control your body in holiness
and honor, not in the passion of lust.
●-(Ephesians 5:3): Sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not be named among the saints.
●-(Genesis 2:24): A man shall leave his parents and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
●-(Galatians 5:19): The works of the flesh are sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality [sensuality = impure lifestyle].
●-(1 Corinthians 7:2): Because of temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own
husband.
●-(1 Corinthians 6:9): The sexually immoral, adulterers, and those who practice homosexuality shall not inherit God's kingdom.
●-(Jude 1:7): Sodom and Gomorrah, which indulged in sexual immorality and unnatural desire, serve as examples by
undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.
●-(Galatians 5:19-22): Those who practice works of the flesh (including sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, orgies, and
things like this) will not inherit the kingdom of God.
●-(1 Thessalonians 4:7): God has not called us for impurity, but for holiness.
●-(1 Corinthians 6:16): He who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body (one flesh) with her.
●-(Matthew 15:19-20): Jesus said that out of the heart come evil thoughts, including adultery and sexual immorality.
●-(Matthew 5:8): Jesus said that the pure in heart shall see God.
●-(Revelation 21:7-8): Among those who will experience the second death and will spend eternity in the lake of fire and sulfur
[Hell] are the sexually immoral.
●-(1 Thessalonians 4:1-8): Abstain from sexual immorality; control your body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust.
●-(Ephesians 5:33): Husbands and wives should love and respect each other.
●-(Galatians 6:7-8): To sow from the flesh reaps corruption. To sow to the Spirit reaps eternal life.
●-(1 Corinthians 10:13): For any temptation, God will provide the way of escape.
●-(1 Corinthians 5:9-11): Do not associate with sexually immoral people.
●-(Romans 13:13): Do not walk in orgies, sexual immorality, and sensuality.
●-(Romans 12:2): Do not be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God.
●-(Romans 1:26-27): Do not engage in the dishonorable passions of homosexuality.
●-(Matthew 5:23): Jesus taught that a man who divorces his wife, except for adultery, causes others to sin.
●-(Revelation 22:14-25): The sexually immoral may not enter the gates of Heaven.
●-(1 Timothy 5:2): Timothy was told: treat older women as mothers and younger women as sisters, in all purity.
●-(Colossians 3:5-10): Put to death what is earthly in you, including sexual immorality, impurity, and passion.
●-(Ephesians 5:3-5): Let not sexual immorality, all impurity, and [other sins] be counted among you.
●-(Galatians 5:16): Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
●-(1 Corinthians 15:33): Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”
●-(1 Corinthians 7:2-4): [Paul defined the relationship of husband and wife, including conjugal rights -+in this passage.]
●-(1 Corinthians 6:20): Because you were bought with a price [Jesus' sacrificial death], glorify God in your body.
●-(1 Corinthians 6:15-16): Our bodies are members of Christ. Should we make our members (parts of Christ), members of a
prostitute?
●-(1 Corinthians 5:11): Do not associate with anyone who bears the name of brother [fellow Christian], if he is guilty of sexual
immorality.
●-(Romans 8:13): If you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if by the Spirit and put to death the deeds of the body, you
will live.
●-(Romans 1:24-27): [Paul discussed the nature of and penalties for homosexual acts in this passage.]
●-(John 8:34): Jesus said that anyone who sins is a slave to sin.
●-(Mark 7:20-23): Jesus taught that whatever comes out of a person is what defiles him. From within come many things,
including evil thoughts, sexual immorality, and adultery.
●-And many, many more. These verses only sample God's Word on sexual sins.
PRACTICAL ADVICE FOR THE CHRISTIAN. Sexual temptations are everywhere– advertising, movies, television, music, the Internet,
and so forth. The most vulnerable persons to this widespread blanketing of society by sexual images and messages may be young
people. Youth and young adults may not be married, are naturally curious about sex, and have peaking hormone levels. These persons
are not only the most vulnerable, they are also most likely to be hurt by wrong choices.
Love... Like: “Love” is a greatly over-used word– “I love my parents... spouse... new car... French fries... puppies... candy...” and so forth.
The New Testament was written mostly in Greek. The Greek language was a little better than English in defining love, having four words
we commonly translate as “love:”
●-Eros (root of such English words as “erotic”) is sexual love, and it is not used in the Bible.
●-Agape, pronounced ah-GAH-pay, is the highest form of love, and is the type of love God has for us and the type we should have for
Him and each other. Example of agape love: 1 John 4:7-12, 16. Agape love comes from unselfish action and respect, not from emotion or
physical attraction. Jesus' ministry was based primarily on agape, the highest form of love.
●-Phileo means “to have special affection for” or “to befriend.” Philadelphia comes from this word, and is commonly translated “brotherly
love.” Jesus and Peter used forms of agape and phileo in an awkward exchange (for Peter) in John 21:15-17.
●-Storge, pronounced stor-gay, is a tender, mutual love between parents and children or between husband and wife. Husband and wife
can express both eros and storge love toward each other. Storge combines to form a word in Romans 12:10, translated “kindly
affectioned toward.”
Do not confuse love with physical attraction. True love should be a lifelong commitment, a love even worthy of laying down one's life to
preserve someone. Physical attraction lasts only until someone cuter or more desirable comes along. Do not make life-changing mistakes
by confusing true love, intended for a lifetime commitment, with physical attraction, intended only for a few weeks or months.
In deciding whether to marry someone you “love,” ask yourself: “Do I also like him or her?” Love can turn to hate, unless you also like that
person. Is it realistic to expect to change someone's deep flaws after marriage? For example, you may not like alcohol abuse in a
boyfriend or girlfriend during courtship. Excessive drinking in courtship may predict an alcoholic husband or wife, even to the point of
becoming an abusive drunk. People are usually on their best behavior during courtship, and they may not improve during marriage. Ask:
Would the man or woman you “love” be a good lifelong partner, provider, parent, friend?
Prevention of unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease (STD): One quick biology reminder may save you a lifetime of
grief. Unplanned pregnancy or STD will not occur, if you and your partner use God's gift of sex only as He ordains. To be truly safe, both a
husband and wife must remain totally faithful to each other (must maintain a monogamous marriage). The number of unplanned
(sometimes called “illegitimate”) births in America is staggering.
“Safe sex” should be a qualified term. “Reduced-risk sex” would be a better term. Sex with a potentially infected partner always entails
some risk. Barrier protection (condoms), if used as directed with every sexual exposure, may prevent many STDs and pregnancies, but
protection is not foolproof. That is, condoms, when used as directed, can reduce– but not always eliminate– pregnancies and STD
transmission. Condoms provide less effective protection in some STDs than in others.. Abstinence (refraining from sex) until marriage is
the only sure method of preventing STD or pregnancy.
There are more than twenty sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). How many types are now present in Blount County? Are you willing to
“roll the dice” to find this answer? STDs may range from irritating, but treatable infections to lethal (death-causing) infections. Even if
death does not occur, infertility or sterility may result, and some STDs may lead to cervical or liver cancers. If you have sex with
someone, you are biologically having sex with all of his or her previous partners. That is, you may contract an infection he/ she acquired
from another partner in the past.
AVOID COMPROMISING SITUATIONS. An old adage goes: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Prevent situations in
which sexual intercourse outside of God's laws may occur, such as:
●-Secluded places with date unworthy of your trust: Avoid dark, secluded spots (“parking”), unless you trust your date and are certain
you can control the situation.
●-Alcohol and other drugs: Avoid alcohol and other mind-altering drugs. These drugs alter reality and remove inhibitions. You may do
things under the influence of drugs that you would not otherwise do.
●-Date-rape drugs: Be careful accepting food and drink at parties. Your date may slip a date-rape (predator) drug in your seemingly
harmless drink, and you may be raped while physically and mentally incapacitated.
CAUTION, ESPECIALLY HIGH SCHOOL/ COLLEGE STUDENTS: Nearly 100,000 college-age students are raped by their
partners each year (date rapes). Approximately three-fourths of predator-rapists have been drinking alcohol, and more than half
of raped victims have been drinking. Women who date men who abuse alcohol are 3.6 times more likely to be raped than are
women who date men who do not drink. In violent rapes, approximately 10 per cent of rapists and 15 per cent of rape victims in
which alcohol was a factor have been younger than 21 years. (Remember: It is illegal to drink alcohol under the age of 21
years.) These statistics do not reflect the enormous number of young people who are killed or maimed because of alcoholrelated (DUI) traffic accidents. If you drink or date someone who drinks, your safety is at risk. Never consider finding a
date (or worse yet, a future mate) in a bar. There are better, safer places to look for “love.”
●-Internet predators: Many dangers lurk in the Internet, including social media. Many males– typically older men– troll the Internet,
seeking young (teenage) girls. Posing as a teenager online, they attempt to lure these girls for a meeting (a “date”). Once a girl leaves the
safety of her home to meet a stranger, she may become vulnerable for rape, kidnapping, or homicide. Use the Internet responsibly,
smartly, and cautiously. That “teenage dream date” may really be a forty-year old serial rapist or murderer. If you believe you are being
targeted or stalked by someone who wishes to harm you, call your local police authority. Many police agencies have or have access to
officers dedicated to preventing exploitation of girls and others through the Internet (including social media). Accepting a date with
someone met on the Internet often turns out tragically. Instead of a date, your decomposing body may be found in a field weeks later.
●-Social media: It is popular to post photographs and personal information on Facebook and other social media sites. While you may
wish your friends to see this information, any person, good or bad, may also see the information. The more personal information and the
more provocative the photographs you post, the more at risk you place yourself. Ask: Do you want a rapist to have access to your name,
address, your poses in a bikini at the beach, and so forth? Thinking– cautious thinking– is always a good idea.
●-Temptations: You may find temptations in many places, including the workplace or a fitness center. At work, men and women are at
their most attractive. They are clean, perfumed, well-groomed, neatly clothed, and on their best behavior. A “friendly” secretary, for
example, may seem most attractive, especially when the husband left home with the wife wearing a sloppy bathrobe, changing diapers,
fretting over the broken washing machine, and so forth. In a fitness center, men and women may be scantily clothed and may ha ve a
narcissistic obsession with the appearance of the bodies of themselves or others. Be careful with “grass that looks greener on the other
side.” The affection of a husband or wife must always be directed toward his or her spouse, no matter how appealing someone else may
seem. Jesus addressed this problem (Matthew 5:27-28, summarized): He reminded us of the commandment, “Do not commit
adultery,” but He added that a man looking lustfully at a woman has committed adultery with her in his heart. Yes, we know...
following Jesus is not always easy.
●-Flirtation: Be careful flirting with the opposite sex, and never flirt if either you or the other person is engaged or married. Even though
you may mean the flirtation to be harmless, the other person may consider it an invitation for sexual misadventure. “Harmless” flirtation
may get out of hand and evolve into adultery, causing great harm to you, your spouse/ family, and the other person's spouse/ family.
●-Legal aspects of extramarital sexual activity: Sexual activity outside of marriage may create serious legal problems. Laws vary a
little from state to state, and we do not try to give legal advice for Tennessee or any other state. Be aware of the laws of states in which
you live or visit. Statutory rape involves sexual activity between an adult and a minor. There usually must be an age difference between
the adult and minor of a few years. Statutory rape can be prosecuted solely on the age difference, if a minor is involved, and there is no
defense that the minor was a willing partner or even instigated the encounter. In most states, a person is a minor until he/ she reaches the
age of 18 years. A person must be 21 years of age in most states to purchase or consume an alcoholic beverage (beer is an alcoholic
beverage). It is illegal for an adult to provide alcohol to a minor (for example, a 21-year old boyfriend cannot buy or provide beer for his
20-year old girlfriend). Under certain conditions, a minor may be “emancipated” and considered an adult. Certain crimes committed by a
juvenile (minor) may be prosecuted as an adult, resulting in much harsher penalties. Marijuana possession and use violate federal law
(although not prosecuted consistently at the present time), and are illegal in most states. If a male fathers a child, he may be financially
responsible for that child until the child reaches adulthood. A paternity suit may be filed by the mother and child against the father of that
child. Paternity testing is completely accurate in determining whether the defendant male is the father.
YOU ARE WORTH WAITING FOR. If you are still a virgin, you have a valuable gift of love– your virginity– that you can give to your
spouse on your wedding night. That gift should be given in your marital bed to the one with whom you plan to live a lifetime and have a
family. That gift should not be given to someone you barely know in the backseat of a car. You are a special, beloved child of God, and
God lives in your body as His temple. You are truly worth waiting for. Your wait will be well rewarded. Your spouse will love you because
of your wait. By waiting, you will avoid regrets or shame later in life. Certainly, God will bless your wait.
A SECOND CHANCE. God is a God of second chances. If approached properly, He will always forgive and grant a new (redeemed) life.
As part of forgiveness, you must repent and forgive yourself. If you have made mistakes in the past, including sexual activity outside of
marriage (fornication or adultery), you can receive God's forgiveness today. Some people who repent of sexual activity out of wedlock
may refer to themselves as “born-again virgins.” No matter what your past has been, you can start a new life today– a life which includes
Godly choices with your sexuality while awaiting future marriage with a person you love and can possibly build a family under God's laws.
IN MATTERS OF SEXUALITY, ALWAYS BE A CHRISTIAN. If you are a Christian, you should live your life as a Christian every minute of
every day, not just on Sunday mornings. Christians believe in God in three Persons– Father, Son (Jesus), and Holy Spirit. This Trinity
should always guide your life, even in matters of sexuality.
●-God the Father has created you in His image. His image is an eternal Spirit, and that image (that Spirit) lives in you as your soul. You
are accountable to God in the way you conduct your life. You are so important to God that He inhabits your body as His temple.
●-The Son, Jesus Christ, died for your sins. When Jesus called persons to be His disciples, He did not command them to join a church,
give money to “religion,” or do anything else except be obedient to one simple command: “Follow Me” (read Matthew 4:19, 8:22, 9:9,
16:24, 19:21 || Mark 2:14, 8:34, 10:21 || Luke 5:27, 9:23, 9:59, 18:22 || John 1:43, 10:22, 12:26, 13:36, 21:19). You follow Jesus, when
you try to walk after Him and behave as He would behave. If Jesus were mortal but possessed the will of God, would He engage in
sexual promiscuity? Or, would He keep God's Word in every deed?
●-The Holy Spirit serves as your Counselor. If you hear the Holy Spirit's quiet voice (your “conscience”) telling you that some behavior is
wrong, that Is God's way of speaking to you.
CONCLUSION. This lesson has attempted to teach the following Biblical truths:
●-The American family– even the Christian family– is being destroyed. From the very beginning, God ordained His plan for a family as
one man and one woman united in marriage, with children as gifted from God for His purposes. Satanic forces are strongly attacking the
family, and they are winning.
●-God speaks to you in many ways– through the Bible, through the Holy Spirit, and through Godly persons who serve as His earthly
ambassadors. Listen to the voice of God in any way it is sent to you. God's voice will always tell you to follow principles of the Bible.
Those principles demand sexual purity.
●-No matter what you have done in the past, God has seen and heard worse. Do not be ashamed to confess your sins to God and ask
forgiveness. God has faithfully promised to forgive– and forget! – sin. As a forgiven child of God, you can walk afresh in the path of Jesus.
God has a plan for your life. That plan includes work for Him, not work for Satan.
●-Even if you have committed adultery, fornication, or other sexual sins, God has never stopped loving you. As a redeemed child of God,
you need not feel shame or guilt. God will wash you spotless in the blood of Jesus. Start your life anew. There may be a man or woman
waiting to be your life's mate.
●-Pastor Hepperly can be contacted by telephone or in the church altar to counsel and pray with you. At RIO Revolution Church, we want
to bring you “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” (read Philippians 4:7).
All Scriptures are taken from the NEW KING JAMES VERSION (NKJV), © Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee. Holy Scriptures are
reproduced in red boldface font.
●-If you have questions about salvation or re-dedication of your life to serve God or if you wish to be counseled, call the RIO Revolution Church office at
(865) 984.9200, email the pastoral staff at www.riorevolution.net/contact-us/ , or come to the altar during any worship service.
●-If you have questions, comments, or suggestions concerning this lesson series, contact the author, Raymond Finney, at (865) 984.1424 or
raymondfinney@charter.net . The author assumes full responsibility for any error or misstatement.
qa-49
Valentine's Day will occur later this month.
This drawing and its caption may sum up love:
“I always looked for someone I could live with, but ended up finding
someone I can't live without. I love you.”
Think of special persons in your life– a mate, perhaps... Jesus, certainly.
Love is realizing you need that person and will work hard to make a
special place in your life for him or her. This Valentine's Day, say a
heartfelt “I love you” to some very special person and to Jesus.