This morning let’s not be just ‘hearers’ of the Word, but ‘doers
of the word. Take some time at lunch, dinner, or bedtime to DIG
DEEPER into the today’s lesson and story. Take a few moments
to apply today’s lesson to our lives.
ASK MYSELF…challenging questions for the heart:
1. How have your opinions on homosexuality been shaped? How
much of your thinking on the topic has been directed by pop
culture and “science” vs. Scripture?
2. Do you believe that God’s word is true and accurately describes
how God views sin in our lives? Why or why not?
3. Do you have the tendency to judge homosexuality as a greater
sin then other sins? Why or why not? How does that align with
scripture?
4. Do you know anyone struggling with homosexuality that you
can reach out to and show God’s love?
FOR THE FAMILY…challenging questions for family life:
1. Talk about the BIG IDEA that God our biology does not
determine our destiny and our history does not have to dictate
our future.
2. Spend some time in prayer as a family
For scripture dealing specifically with homosexuality see: Genesis 19:111, Leviticus 18:22, 20:13, Judges 19:16-24, 1 Kings 14:24, 1 Kings 15:12, 2
Kings 23:7, Romans 1:18-32, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 1 Timothy 1:8-10, Jude 7
Today’s Service
September 8th, 2013
Riddle Me This: | Part 1:
Are we really “Born That Way”?
Brian Stanley
2 Timothy 3:15-17 (NLT) 15 You have been taught the holy Scriptures from
childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that
comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful
to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It
corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses
it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
God works to __________ aspects of culture but culture
consistently __________ God.
As Christians, there are things in culture we can _________,
other things we must _________, and then things we must
___________.
James 4:4 (NLT) …Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you
an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you
make yourself an enemy of God.
There is no ______________ between God and science. Pure
science __________ the mysteries and complexities of God.
“It’s important to stress what I didn’t find. I did not prove that homosexuality is
genetic, or find a genetic cause for being gay. I didn’t show that gay men are
born that way, the most common mistake people make in interpreting my
work. Nor did I locate a gay center in the brain.”
~Dr. Simon LaVay (as quoted in Byrd, et al., 2001)
Nature vs. Nuture
Biology is not ___________. (nature)
Your ____________ does not have to dictate your _______.
(nuture)
What if it were all true?
Galatians 6:5 (NLT) For we are each responsible for our own conduct.
Genesis 1:27 (NLT) So God created human beings in his own image. In the
image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
James 1:14-15 (NLT) 14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice
us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin
is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.
1 Corinthians 6:17-20 (NLT) 17 But the person who is joined to the Lord is one
spirit with him. 18 Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body
as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. 19 Don’t
you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and
was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you
with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
Romans 12:1b (NLT) Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let
God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT) This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has
become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
Human Genome Project (HGP)
X Chromosome: 153 million base pairs, 1168 genes
Y Chromosome: 50 million base pairs, 251 genes
Number of “Gay Genes” found and isolated? = _________
Submit your BIG Question or Hot Sermon Topic Today!
www.riddle-me-this.net
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