Main idea:

Our sexuality is a gift, to be stewarded as a gift in every season of life - guarded for its proper expression of deep mutual giving of husband and wife in marriage.

Outline:

1. Both legalism and license are a distortion of God's plan sexual fulfillment

2. Mutual selfless giving is at the heart of the marriage relationship

◦ You cannot belong physically to one another without belonging spiritually and emotionally

◦ Mutual giving means both spouses seek the pleasure and joy of the other

◦ The emphasis of healthy sexual intimacy is not on taking but on giving

◦ It is wrong to use this text to blame wives for their husbands lust problems

3. Every season of life is a gift of God to be embraced

Application:

• What is your view of sex and sexual desire? Do you see it as something dirty to be avoided?

• Do you see marriage as a deep physical and emotional belonging?

• Do you see healthy sexual intimacy as inseparable from healthy spiritual and emotional connection?

• Are you committed to seeking your spouses sexual satisfaction?

• Is your marriage a space where you feel free to discuss the complexities of sexual intimacy and making your needs known to one another?

• Is sex an area that you primarily give or take?

• Do you seek to understand your spouses needs? Do you take time to listen and understand them?

• Do you see your season of life, with all its challenges - as a gift to be stewarded?

Scripture References:

• 1 Corinthians 7:1-9

• Genesis 2:24

• Genesis 4:1

• 1 Peter 3:7

Key Concepts:

• God's design for human sexuality

• sexual temptation

• marriage

• intimacy in marriage

• singleness