Sermon Based Small Group Lessons
Our American Idols: Sex
Dr. Les Hughes
October 19, 2008
Judges 13-16
Outline
of Sermon (The Life Changing Lessons)
This
is for the leader’s use. You
don’t have to read through these for the group.
1. A child of God is a lightning rod for
Satan.
2. Temptation can blind us from potential
consequences of our actions.
3. God usually raises red flags to warn us
of danger.
4. Sexual appeasement is temporary. It doesn’t satisfy the soul.
Focus Passage
Opening Question
What’s
the best evidence that you can present that sex has overwhelmed our culture?
Digging
for Truth: Group Discussion
1. From prior Bible studies or life
experiences, what are ways you have succeeded in keeping sex in perspective?
2. Lesson 1 says, “A child of God is
a lightning rod for Satan.”
What does that make you feel about serving God?
3. Eph 6:10-11 talks about putting on the full armor of God
so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” Read the following passages (Eph 6:13-)
13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of
evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done
everything, to stand. 14Stand firm
then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of
righteousness in place, 15and with your
feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which
you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the
helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers
and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all
the saints.
4. If we know that men need to be careful
with what they see and women need to be careful with touch, what are some
safeguards we can use.
5. Lesson 2 says, “Temptation
can blind us from potential consequences of our actions.” Do you believe this to be true? Why?
6. Galatians 6:7 tells us that “a man
reaps what he sows.” What are
the things we’re going to reap if we yield to sexual temptation?
7. Lesson 3 says, “God usually raises
red flags to warn us of danger.”
(Sampson’s parents warning him about marrying outside of the
Israelite family.) What red flags
of danger might we encounter?
8. It seems that Satan works overtime to
get us in bed prior to marriage and to keep us from a physical relationship
with our spouse after marriage.
What makes that a good strategy for Satan?
9. Lesson 4 says, “Sexual appeasement
is temporary. It doesn’t
satisfy the soul.” What do
you think about that statement?
10. Ideas for Victory
a. Be honest
about your own weakness.
b. Guard your
time and your leisure time.
c. Choose your
friends carefully and wisely.
d. When I fail,
I must repent and ask God for strength.
11. What other things can we do to have
victory in this area of our lives?
Closing
What
is God calling you to do differently in response of today’s sermon?