The Foundation of Calm
Matt Zainea (Rockford Campus)
9/18/22
PDF VERSION: SDG 9.18.12 – The Foundation of Calm
Do controversial cultural trends leave you feeling worried and confused? Amidst the chaos of our world’s sexual brokenness, God’s Word bring truth, grace, clarity, and peace. Using passages from 1 Corinthians, Matt Zainea tackles some of our culture’s toughest questions.
REMINDERS
- Let’s Connect! Reach out to us to connect with our leadership team to receive support, resources and encouragement. Email us at [email protected] today!
- Pray, pray pray: as we seek the Lord, he responds. Pray for your group and the church, that we may seek God’s wisdom and ways together.
TOGETHER IN LIFE
This week’s subject may be challenging but is significantly important. Use discretion and pray that the Holy Spirit would guide your group’s discussion as you move forward in love and truth.
**Taboo or sensitive topics such as sexuality can be difficult to discuss, especially in churches.
How do you feel and react whenever a taboo subject comes up? Share an example
How can this group lovingly encourage each other as we discuss these types of conversations?
It is important that we as a church are able to talk about all kinds of subjects together – even the sensitive ones. In doing so, we bow to God’s wisdom, we reflect his glory, and we help one another grow into Christ-likeness, bit-by-bit. There are no subjects of life where God’s grace isn’t enough or where he has not provided us with wisdom we need.
Seek him in the Word and in his Spirit together today.
TOGETHER IN THE WORD
1 Corinthians 6:12-20
12 “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. 13 “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food”—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! 16 Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.” 17 But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. 18 Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. 19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
BIG IDEA: Sexual brokenness effects our lives far more than we may realize. And yet, as significant an impact as it may have, God offers us grace and has spoken clearly on many of the issues we face today. As Christians, it’s important for us to assess the non-negotiables, our convictions and preferences, in light of the Truth of God in his Word, as well as loving compassionately those around us.
SPECIAL NOTE: If you are struggling with sexual sin, temptation, or brokenness – there is hope. Please connect with us at Magnify Church ([email protected]) to be connected with a pastor, elder, or mentor who can walk alongside you and help you find freedom and healing. Don’t wait – reach out to connect today.
QUESTION: In what ways does our society – particularly West Michigan – experience brokenness in relationships most? How might these be tied to sexual brokenness?
(v12) “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.
QUESTION: What do you think Paul is getting at here? What’s at the heart of these statements?
(v19-20) Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
3 PARTS OF SELF TO CONSIDER:
Personal –
- Thoughts: our inner life is where sin becomes manifested into our behaviors.
- Psychology: how we think about ourselves and consider our own self (i.e. Body image)
- Secrets: the inner parts we keep from the view of others
- Entertainment: the “inputs” we use to entertain, distract, relieve ourselves from the stresses of our lives
Public –
- Appearance: Do we bring attention to ourselves or to God? Are we considerate of how we portray Christ in the way we present ourselves to the world (for good or bad)?
- Friends: Who you surround yourself with is significant to who you become and who you help others become.
- Humor: What we permit in our relationships to be a unifying force of laughter and comradery matters. What are we allowing into our conversations that is over the line?
- Relating: How do we relate to others and how are we shaping them?
Partnered-
- Time: How am I spending my time?
- Presence: Am I all there (mentally), wherever I am (physically)?
- Intimacy: How much do I open myself to others and at what level is appropriate for each relationship? How do I know when I’m over the line or not even close to it?
- Mission: Do I – in my marriage or other relationships – seclude myself and exclude others? How do I live out our mission together with my partners in life?
QUESTION: Why is it significant to consider the different aspects of our self, as we relate to others?
QUESTION: When it comes to our Personal, Public, and Partnered Selves, we all have areas of brokenness that need tending to. What does Scripture instruct us to do? (See: Ps. 51, 1 John 1 and James 5 for examples)
QUESTION: Where do you draw lines of Boundaries in each of these areas, particularly in terms of sexuality? How do you go about assessing those lines we draw? If you’ve not considered this in your life: take steps toward addressing each of them (see note below).
SPECIAL NOTE: If you are struggling with sexual sin, temptation, or brokenness – there is hope. Please connect with us at Magnify Church ([email protected]) to be connected with a pastor, elder, or mentor who can walk alongside you and help you find freedom and healing. Don’t wait – reach out to connect today.
3 Levels of Boundaries
Non-negotiables:
- Grounded in the truth of God’s Word and in his original Creation (before the fall)
- Male and Female
- Become one in marriage
- Oneness not to be harmed
- Immorality can void marriage
Convictions:
- Implied or inferred meaning of truths that are connected to, but perhaps not clearly stated in Scripture
Preferences:
- Beliefs and opinions shaped by experience and culture that are not biblically grounded, but personally significant
Matt stated: “We must be careful where we draw our lines and how that plays out in our lives. We mustn’t kill each other over our differences, but humbly recognize our limitations in our understanding.”
QUESTION: How can we reflect God’s love as we respond to differences in conviction and preference? How do you think you are doing in this area?
QUESTION: How can you be more gracious, loving, and kind to those who view life differently? How can you grow in speaking truth in a gracious way that stands firm in the face of trial?
TOGETHER IN ACTION
Challenge: Pursue Caring Conversations this week with others who view the world differently than God designed. Find ways to compassionately pursue others in relationship, and bring them loving kindness that promotes God’s best way for living starting with his original design.
TOGETHER IN PRAYER
Read Psalm 51 out loud as a prayer.
Consider each of these parts: Confession, Repentance, Restoration and Redemption.
Are there any sins you need to confess today? Confess them to those you have sinned against, repent and believe that God’s grace is enough to restore you today.
