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INTRODUCTION
1. Have you, or has anyone you know, had food poisoning? Do you
know what happens?
Since the food is contaminated and poisonous, the body does every thing possible to flush the poison out! It's really gross,
but if the poison is not removed the person could die.
2. What are some ways teenagers impure themselves in every day life?
a) lustful thoughts/ fantasies and " the second look"
b) watching movies or TV shows with sexually explicit scenes and themes
c) reading pornographic, magazines, or visiting pornographic sites on the Internet
d) Listening to or telling dirty jokes
e) Flirting ( desire attention from the opposite sex and acting or speaking in such a way as to get it)
f) Sexual immorality
g) Masturbation
The goal of this study is to help to take hold of God's conviction about purity of heart and life. It will also help to see that, following God's plan, is always the most fulfilling in the long run. Being contaminated and poison by the world will damage your soul. God has a great plan for your life and is excited about watching it unfold for you in his time!
1. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8
3 It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality;
4 that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable,
5 not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God;
6 and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you.
7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.
8 Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.
What are some things we need to do to stay pure?
a) avoid sexual immorality
b) control our own bodies
Bottom line : God has high standards for us to be totally different from people in the world we need to have the same expectations for ourselves as God does. He doesn't call us to anything that is not possible. When we are impure, we hurt God and ourselves and, if someone else is involved, them.
2. 2 Timothy 2:22
Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
What are the evil desires of youth?
Sensual pleasures like sex and drugs and reckless abandon.
Why do you think God says these evil desires have to do with youth?
a) They are new experiences so they appeal to curiosity
b) Teenage bodies are changing sexually.
c) The young wild, free, "Indestructible" mentality can take hold of young people
What does it mean to " flee" from something?
To desperately runaway usually from some thing dangerous (a murderer, etc.,)
What does it mean to " pursue" something?
To go after it with all your heart
Bottom line: We have the right to choose where we spend our energy in life - whether on worldly goals or on spiritual ones. God calls us to runaway from what are human nature screams for us to go after. Destructive, worldly desires activities and thoughts. We must instead go after the challenging of being Godly in a Godless world.
3. Ephesians 5:3-5
3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people.
4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.
5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person--such a man is an idolater--has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
How much is a hint?
What does God say to replace impurity with?
What does it mean to have no inheritance?
Bottom line: God takes purity very seriously.
PERSONAL HEART CHECK QUESTIONS
How are you different from your friends in the world?
You are willing to change in your life, thoughts and habits to be radically pure all the time.
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
a. Psalm 119:9
How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.
Remember that you are tempted, the word will help you to resist. Memorise scripture about purity so that you can be ready when you are tempted with the sin.
b. James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
Confess your sins with someone who can help you. Remember God loves you and forgives you. Next time ask advice about
movies, times with boys and girls together, dates etc.,
Write out a one-page essay about what you have learned from this study and how you were convicted. Write down how you are personally going to change and something you will do differently from now on.
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