DEEPER LIFE BIBLE CHURCH, LOCATION / REGION SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES Year of Full Restoration 29 OCTOBER, 2017

LESSON 666: MORAL PERVERSION IN GIBEAH MEMORY VERSE: “Now as they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, certain sons of Belial, beset the house round about, and beat at the door, and spake to the master of the house, the old man, saying, Bring forth the man that came into thine house, that we may know him’’ (Judges 19:22) TEXT: Judges 19:1-30

SUMMARY (1) Our previous study focused on Dan seeks territorial expansion: Sin is contagious; Micah’s family idol soon became Dan’s tribal idol! Like Dan, believers should seek the expansion of God’s kingdom. But we should take care lest this draw us to ungodly practices. Like Micah was to his idols, believers should be committed to God. Believers become easy preys when we live solitary and secretive lives. The study of today touches on three points: The dangers of parental indulgence and impiety The blessings of forgiveness and reconciliation The despicable perversion of the Gibeanites

SUMMARY (2) The danger of parental indulgence and impiety (Judges 19:1,2): The Levite’s father in-law was permissive: he did not rebuke his daughter’s whoredom! Parents should disallow bad language, behaviour, pornography and indecent dressing with their children. The blessing of forgiveness and reconciliation (Judges 19:3-9): The Levite forgave his concubine though she deserved condemnation. Believers should forgive and reconcile with their offenders. Forgiveness brings peace of mind and good health. The despicable perversion of the Gibeanites (Judges 19:10-30): The Levite relied on knowledge and experience alone; believers should seek divine guidance in everything. Men’s mind and personality are morally affected when they abandon God. Homosexuality and lesbianism are abomination before God.

DISCUSSION

QUESTION 1 Why should believers promote orderliness in the society and how can this be done? Judges 19:1a, 22 1 Peter 2:13, 14

QUESTION 2 Explain the importance of bringing up our children in a godly way: Judges 19:2 Proverbs 22:6

QUESTION 3 What are the benefits of forgiveness and reconciliation? Mark 11:25 Romans 12:17, 18

QUESTION 4 What is restitution? Why is it important in preventing offences and promoting a lasting reconciliation? Acts 24:16

QUESTION 5 Why do we still need to pray even in matters whose outcome or forecast seems certain? Proverbs 3:5 Acts 27:10, 11, 21

QUESTION 6 What spiritual condition lies at the root of homosexuality, lesbianism and other evil practices? Romans 1:21-24 What is the way out? Hosea 6:1

CONCLUSION Christian parents should rebuke sin in their children. Believers should readily forgive and reconcile with their offenders. You should rely solely on God’s leading; knowledge and experience alone may fail you. Like any other sin, God condemns homosexuality and lesbianism though society may allow it.