Genesis 1:2 - Meditate the Scripture Daily bit by bit
July 12th Study Guide
1. The Christian In A Secular America
Parkside Bible Fellowship
Adult Sunday School
July 12th, 2009
1. WELCOME: Opening Prayer
2. Brief Overview
The Attack On The Institution of Marriage
3. What does the Bible say about the institution of marriage?
Hebrews 13: 4: Marriage is honorable
Matthew 19:4-5, Gen. 2:24: What is God's intent for marriage?
o Marriage is the joining of one man with one woman, for life by God.
o Matthew 19: 6: What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder (separate).
God created us to have relationships
o With Him: “our hearts are restless until we find our rest in Thee.” (St. Augustine)
o Biblical principle: God designed us for a relationship with Him. The whole of Scripture speaks of
our relationship with Him: how to have it, how to hold onto it, how to rest in it, how to
communicate it, how to enjoy it.
o With others: I Corinthians 12:18-21:
o Biblical principle: God has placed us into the body of Christ (the Church), doesn’t this also mean
He places each one of us with the spouse of His choice?
Marriage carries out God’s Plan for Mankind to Reflect God’s Image
o Reflect: Christian marriages are to reflect God’s image:
o Biblical Principle: Each individual (as a male and as a female) is created in the image of God.
However, a married couple has a unique capacity to reflect His image as husband and wife. When
we recognize our purpose is to reflect the image of God, we see that we have an opportunity to be a
witness to a lost world.
God’s purpose for marriage is to reproduce:
o Reproduce: Genesis 1:28a:
o Biblical principle: Marriage is an opportunity for men and women to produce children. Children
are a gift from God and with them comes great responsibility: children are to be raised in His
“likeness.”
o Not all married couples have children. Nevertheless, they are to demonstrate God’s likeness in their
day to day lives.
God’s purpose for marriage, to reign/rule:
o Reign/rule: Genesis 1:28a:
o Biblical principle: According to this verse, married couples are to “subdue” the earth. To
accomplish this requires good stewardship in the physical realm over that which God has given. It
also requires diligence in the spiritual realm. Together married couples are to be “soldiers” directed
by God to accomplish His intentions on earth.
4. Stable societies must have stable institutions----------The Family: Arthur Pink, Theologian
5. What does the Bible say about homosexuality?
Can a practicing homosexual truly be saved? Roman 10: 9-13, I Corinthians 9: 9-11
2. Scriptural references about the practice of homosexuality
Leviticus 18:22:
Leviticus 20:13:
Romans 1: 18, 24:
Romans 1: 26-27
1 Corinthians 6:9-11:
1 Timothy 1:8-10
6. What is the truth about homosexuality?
Homosexuality has profound physical, spiritual, emotional and psychological consequences.
7. The Battle Against Same Sex marriage. o DOMA
Terminology
o Same sex marriage and gay marriage
o Full Faith and Credit Clause
o Civil Unions
8. What do the proponents of same sex
marriage want and why?
o Domestic partnership
o GLBT MOVEMENT or GAY PRIDE
9. What are the arguments against Same Sex
Marriage (SSM)?
o DADT
10. Christ and Culture: In the News
Marriage Protection Amendment