1. Joining the Conversation
On Homosexuality

3. Joining the Conversation
On Homosexuality

4. The perception of the church among Americans ages 16-29:
Outsiders
Churchgoers
Anti-homosexual 91% %
Judgmental % %
Hypocritical % %
Old-fashioned 78% %
Out of touch % %
Insensitive % %
The church is known better for what they are against rather than who they are for.

5. Joining the Conversation
On Homosexuality

7. What does it mean to be gay
What does it mean to be gay? what does it say about homosexuality in the bible? Is homosexuality genetic? What does the bible say about homosexuality? Is homosexuality a result of us sinning, or are we born that way? Do people choose to be gay? Can someone stop being gay? How we should treat them/act around them? Is it wrong to judge/preach to them/try to change them? Can a gay person be a Christian?

8. What does it mean to be gay?
Homosexuality is the state in which a person feels a strong emotional and sexual attraction to a person of the same sex.
This can be a person's orientation over time and can also be expressed through behavior.

9. What causes people to be gay?
Choice
Genetics
Environment

10. Can people stop being gay?
Exodus International claims a 53% “success rate” in helping gay people leave the lifestyle.
This means a 47% “failure rate.” This also doesn't mean participants no longer have same sex attraction.

11. What does the Bible have to say?
Genesis 19 – the Sodom and Gomorrah story.
Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13 – sections of the Holiness Code that prohibit same-sex sexual behavior and list punishments for such behavior.
Romans 1:26-27 – determining what is sexually natural and unnatural. I Corinthians 6:9-11 – same-sex sexual behavior's non-inclusion to the Kingdom of God.
I Timothy 1:9-11 – the need for sound doctrine in opposition to false teachers; condemning same-sex sexual behavior as part of a larger group.

12. What does the Bible have to say?
Genesis 19 – shift each person's mind frame away from yearning for anything else but God.
Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13 – bring each person to their own crossroads of belief where they make a choice to live for God or not.
Romans 1:26-27 – recognize from that choice what positively or negatively affects one's oneness with the Lord.
I Corinthians 6:9-11 – know when to release control of someone else's life.
I Timothy 1:9-11 – keep open a path for God to accomplish his will for a person's life, even until their last breath.

13. Can you be gay and Christian?
Eternity with Jesus
Meet Jesus

14. How should we live as Christians?
Is it wrong to judge, preach at, or try to change our gay friends?
Galatians 6:1-5
I John 5:16-18
James 5:19-20
Psalms 141:5
2 Corinthians 2:5-11
Confrontation of sin happens in the context of relationship within “the family.”

15. How should we live as Christians?
The church is the people to whom the hurting go to find healing
We are all patients of the Great Physician, Jesus. We are NOT doctors.
We are the ones who should accept and love others without reservation.
We are the ones who hold the truth of Jesus Christ and should be pointing others to that Truth.
We are the ones who should love others through action as God loves us.

16. How should we live as Christians?
As straight Christians, here are some things we can do:
Don't cut conversations short by answering, or asking, questions that ask for a one-word answer; elevate the conversation.
Learn as much about others as you can. Commit to standing by their side no matter what.
Show your love through actions and through listening.

17. The church is the people to whom the hurting go to find healing