The Gathering 2019 Thursday, January 10 Chris Bounds LGBTQ at Home: How to Flourish while Navigating LGBTQ Relationships in Our Families and Ministries The Gathering 2019 Thursday, January 10 Chris Bounds

Grace and Truth “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. And we beheld his glory, the glory of the only begotten Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14

The Bible and Sex Genesis Revelation ‘“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother…and the two shall be one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and his church.’ Ephesians 5:31-32 Circumcision: Physical Sign of Covenant Genesis 17: 13-14 The Song of Solomon (and Tobit): The Redemption of Sex Porneia: Sexual Sins Prohibited for Jew and Gentile Christians: Acts 15:28-29 Sexual Organs Belong to God First and then to Spouse: I Corinthians 6:12-18; 7:1-16, 25-40 The Meaning of Marriage and Sex: Ephesians 5:31-32 Genesis Revelation Begins with Marriage (Gen. 1:27-28; 2:23-24) Ends with Marriage (Rev. 19:6-10; 21:2-3) Porneia: Sexual Sins Prohibited for Jews and Gentiles: Leviticus 18:6-30; 20:10-16 Jesus’ Teaching on Marriage, Sex, Celibacy/ No Sex in Heaven: Matthew 19:1-12; 22:30 Homosexual Practice: “Sacrament of Ingratitude” Romans 1:17-31 The First Work of the Flesh: Sexual Sin Galatians 5:19 Binary Nature of Creation Leading to Climax (1:1-27) Heavens and Earth (1) Light/Day and Dark/Night (4,5) Clouds and Water (7-8) Land and Sea (9-10) Plants and Trees (11-12) Sun and Moon (16) Fish and Birds (20-21) Farm and Wild Animals (24-25) Human: Male and Female (27) Humanity is one as male and female: “male and female he created” (1:27); and “they become one flesh” (2:24) The Incarnation: Christ’s Full Humanity The Son Became like Us in Our Sexuality – His Body Is Biologically Sexed He Took on Sexual Difference He Took on Gender related to His Biological Sex The Incarnation Affirms the Basic Binary Sexuality of Humanity by becoming Male He Embraces His Mother’s Womb – The Female Sex Is Embraced in Incarnation There Is no Male sexuality without Female – Can’t Grasp Jesus Sexuality without Mary’s Incarnation Reveals the Goodness of Our Being Biologically Sexed and the Interdependence of Being Male and Female. Marriage and Sex as a Sign The Sign of the Union Between Christ and the Church. Sign of Christ’s Fruitful Love of Church Sign of the Christ’s Final Consummation with Church The Sign of Divine Faithfulness Celibacy of God’s Supremacy and Humanity’s Ultimate Desire God’s Faithfulness to Church The Sign of the Trinity Sign of the Plurality of Persons with completion in Each Other Sign of Communion of Persons in Love Sign of Generative Nature of Love

I. The Issue of Identity

II. People Don’t Choose Their Attraction and Orientation People Arrive at their Sexual Attractions/ Orientations through Many Different Ways: Biology Childhood Experiences Environmental Adult Experiences

III. Prepare Another Script The LGBTQ Script: Sexual attraction signals a naturally occurring (intended by God) distinction. Sexual attraction is the way you know who you really are as a person. Sexual attraction is at the core of who you are. Sexual behavior is an extension of that core. Self-actualization of your sexual identity is crucial for your fulfillment. Taken from Mark Yarhouse’s Homosexuality and the Christian

III. Prepare Another Script A Christian Script: Sexual attraction does not signal a categorical distinction among types of persons, but is one of many human experiences that are “not the way it’s suppose to be.” Sexual attractions may be part of your experience, but they are not the defining element of your identity. You can choose to integrate your experiences of attraction into your particular identity or you can choose to center your identity around other aspects of your experience. The most compelling aspect of personhood for the Christian is one’s identity in Christ, to be a follower of Jesus Christ. Taken from Mark Yarhouse’s Homosexuality and the Christian

IV. Give “Safe Space” to Share and Listen

V. Working with the “Assertive Advocate” and “Sincere Struggler” Solid Foundation – Holy not Happy Proper Perspective Perseverance Strong and Meaningful Relationships Assertive Advocate Lead by Example Practice “Convicted Civility” Listen and Share Encourage Them in Their Walk with God

VI. Living the Way of Self-Denial/The Cross

Grace and Truth – Living in the Tension “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14