Honoring God with Your Body: A Lesson on Sexuality for Teens
Introduction:
Welcome, dear teenagers, to our lesson on the topic of sexuality. We live in a world that is constantly bombarding us with messages about sex, and often these messages are contradictory, confusing, and harmful. But as Christians, we believe that God’s plan for sexuality is beautiful, healthy, and fulfilling. Our bodies are not just physical shells that we can use as we please – they are temples of the Holy Spirit. So how can we honor God with our bodies when it comes to sexuality? Let’s explore together.
Body:
1. God created us as sexual beings.
The first thing we need to understand is that sex is not a taboo or shameful topic. It is a natural and good part of God’s creation. In Genesis, we read that God created man and woman in his image and blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and increase in number.” (Genesis 1:27-28). God designed our bodies to experience pleasure, intimacy, and the ability to reproduce. And he did so with a purpose – to bring glory to himself and to create loving, committed relationships between husband and wife.
2. God’s plan for sex is within the context of marriage.
While sex is a gift from God, it is also a powerful and potentially dangerous one. God’s plan for sex is within the covenant of marriage – the lifelong commitment between one man and one woman. This is not just a cultural or religious tradition – it is God’s design for our purity, protection, and emotional well-being. In 1 Corinthians 6:18-20, it says, “Flee from sexual immorality… Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
3. God calls us to purity and self-control.
Living a life that honors God with our bodies means choosing purity and self-control. This means avoiding sexual activity outside of marriage – this includes premarital sex, pornography, masturbation, and any other behaviors that can degrade or exploit our bodies or the bodies of others. It also means guarding our minds and our hearts from impure thoughts and feelings. Practicing abstinence until marriage is not always easy, but it is worth it. It is a way to honor God, protect ourselves and our future spouse, and experience sexuality as it was meant to be.
4. God’s grace is available when we fall short.
Finally, we need to remember that as humans, we are not perfect. We will struggle with sexual temptation, and we may make mistakes. But the good news is that God’s grace is always available to us. When we confess our sins and ask for forgiveness, he is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse us (1 John 1:9). He also gives us the Holy Spirit, who can help us resist temptation and grow in holiness. But we must make a conscious decision to turn away from sin and pursue righteousness.
Conclusion:
Dear teenagers, God loves you and wants the best for you. He designed your body and your sexuality as a gift to be used in a way that brings him glory and honors others. Let us choose to honor God with our bodies by following his plan for sex, practicing purity and self-control, and seeking his grace when we fall short. And may we always remember that our bodies are not just for us – they are meant to be used in service to God and others.
