Back to the sermon
Group Video Study
Marriage: Covenant Intimacy
Big Idea: God designed sex as the sign of the marriage covenant, to be shared selflessly and without shame, and Jesus offers healing and another way to live to everyone touched by sexual brokenness.
Key Verses: 1 Corinthians 7:3-5; Genesis 1:27; Genesis 2:24-25; Matthew 19:4-6; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Start here: What's one piece of advice about love or marriage you heard growing up that turned out to be wrong?
Read together: 1 Corinthians 7:3-5
Clip 1 of 4 · about 5 min
Naked and Not Ashamed
Open this clip in YouTubeIn the Text
- Read Genesis 2:24-25. The clip points out that "he's not just talking about they had no clothes." What else might "naked and were not ashamed" be describing between a husband and wife?
- The clip imagines the voice of shame: "And I wish I hadn't done that. Or I wish I hadn't done this. Or I wish this hadn't happened to me." Why do you think shame attaches itself to sex so easily, even for people who love God?
Clip 2 of 4 · about 4 min
Glorify God in Your Body
Open this clip in YouTubeIn the Text
- The clip notes that when Scripture describes intimacy in marriage, "It doesn't talk about praying together. It doesn't talk about going to worship together." Why do you think Christians find it easier to see prayer as holy than sex?
- Read 1 Corinthians 7:3-5. Paul allows a pause only by agreement, only for a limited time, and only for prayer. What do you think those three limits are protecting?
Clip 3 of 4 · about 5 min
Selfless, Not Possessive
Open this clip in YouTubeThe Big Idea
- The clip admits, "people will read this as a possessive statement through the lens of abuse. And people have used it that way, certainly." When a husband or wife says their body belongs to their spouse, what makes that sound like love instead of control?
- The clip says marriage is about "bringing glory to God primarily, but then it's also about serving my wife." In real life, what does it look like when a couple treats intimacy as serving each other instead of keeping score?
Clip 4 of 4 · about 3 min
Another Way to Live
Open this clip in YouTubeIn Your Life
- The clip says the brokenness of sexual expression "has touched each one of us." Why is that so hard for people to admit, especially in church?
- The clip says healing includes trusting that what God says "is the best thing for you." Where do you find that hardest to trust right now?
- The clip says, "You don't have to live burdened with shame over what you've done or how you've lived." Without sharing any details, what is one step toward healing you could take this week: a prayer, an honest conversation, or reaching out to a pastor?