Sexuality seems like such an ongoing hot button topic, doesn’t it? So how do churches gain the trust of men and women in their community when talking about sexuality? Sexual integrity, the acting and thinking in accordance with Biblical values and beliefs about sex, is an area of life that the church needs to continually address. Especially in today’s age where there are many voices being heard daily, it is important to help people know and walk in Biblical truth.
No matter what resources your church uses, how many purity groups you have going, or how much or how little you’ve addressed the topic, every church can use the four guides below in order to help their congregation move forward in their sexual integrity dialogue and progress. This, to be sure, is a huge calling, yet if we prayerfully pursue each of these practices, men and women will know that your church can be trusted with this private, sensitive, and powerful area of their life.
Lead out of vulnerability.
Jesus intentionally left us a model of humility (Mark 10:45, Phil. 2:5-8). The presence and activity of the enemy calls us to be humble and sober-minded, so as to be vigilant (1 Peter 5:6-8). Romans 12:3 says that this sober judgment of ourselves, particularly not thinking too highly of ourselves, is foundational to healthy church body life. At table discussions that happen at our events, the moment one man shares a truthful, personal, humbling struggle in any area, the countenance at the whole table shifts. Simply put, we feel alone until we see and hear that someone else actually struggles with a similar sin issue.
Prioritize relationships and spiritual maturity over just stopping a bad habit.
Any organization, podcast, or curriculum that approaches sexual integrity from a biblical perspective teaches that all unwanted, or sinful, sexual behavior has a significant “why” attached to it. God isn’t just interested in our behavioral change (body), but He wants our hearts, minds, and souls to be healed as well. Plus, when you consider the Greek word for fellowship (koinonia, meaning to share in common), how much deeper is our fellowship when we are actually confessing to one another (James 5:16), submitting to one another (Eph. 5:21), and bearing one another’s burdens (Gal. 6:2)?
Provide a clear path to recovery.
Every person in your church, from the blatant porn-addict to the secretive porn user to the confused teen, should know where to go for help and MUST know that it is a safe place to go. We at Broken Strength can help by initiating the conversation amongst your men in order for it to multiply to your families and individuals. We can also help by populating ministries that you already have going with the men that need to utilize those resources, through an event and specified follow-up. Finally, we can point to other ministries such as Pure Desire Ministries. They are currently offering a 30-Day Free Preview to their Sexual Integrity 101 course. It replaces the “Conquer Series” that some are familiar with. It is updated in its research, its topics, and how it engages with this generation. Your church would benefit greatly from this 8-week course that includes a 40-50 minute video and 45-60 minutes of guided discussion and reflection. It is meant for a mixed gender audience and can be used with small or large groups (as long as you make room for 5-8 person gender-specific break out groups for discussion). If you’re interested email pklassen@apathtopurity.org for the 30-Day Preview link.
Persevere in addressing sexual purity. Don’t give up!
We, meaning the Body of Christ, have the solution to the current porn pandemic taking place in our culture. Yes, great is the voice of the enemy that justifies pornography, fuels sex-trafficking with inhumane promotion of a sexualized culture, and is filled with hate for every man, woman, and child. Yet, “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4). If the spirit of the antichrist referred to here in 1 John 4 can be defeated, we have more than enough power and strength and know-how in Christ to eradicate pornography and all unwanted sexual behavior, attitudes, and thoughts from our midst. It will not go away by ignoring it and we have the promises of God that it can be a thing of the past in our lives, the lives of our families, and the life of our local church!
If you’d like any help or have any questions, feel free to email or call.
Paul Klassen
Executive Director, Broken Strength
pklassen@apathtopurity.org
pklassen@apathtopurity.org
320-905-9138