We’ve recently been tackling some difficult themes at Fuel, our church youth group for 15’s+ and the most recent was the topic of Homosexuality and the Bible. The following is the notes that I prepared for the evening and they were designed as a discussion starter. As such they are in no way a comprehensive essay on the issue, nor are they supposed to put across any particular point of view.

Respect
Homosexuality and Christianity is a very emotive subject with people having wildly different views. Before we talk about our own opinions on gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transvestites, lets be clear that God loves all of these people and we should therefore love and respect them too (Jesus’ teachings on loving both our neighbours and our enemies makes this clear). Rude, offensive or homophobic comments are not acceptable under any circumstances.

Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:7-12

History
Since it’s beginning, the Christian church has generally condemned homosexual relationships as ‘sinful’. Certain verses in the Bible seem to back up this belief and various writings throughout history have encouraged this idea.
More recently theologians and historians have challenged traditional Christian understanding with different interpretations of scripture that suggest homosexuality can be acceptable to a Christian.
Because of these arguments about the meaning of Bible verses, Christians across the world now have a wide range of beliefs about homosexuality; on the one hand some think you can be homosexual and a Christian with no problem, on the other hand some think that being homosexual is totally sinful and can’t have anything to do with Christianity. There are of course, lots of views in between too!

What do you believe?
On the next pages are some Bible verses that are often used in the argument against homosexuality. Read them through including the verses before and after, discuss them with friends and answer the questions. It’s up to you to decide what you believe for yourself, but here are some tips:

1. Read the Bible to learn about God’s character. Don’t just go on what you think God might say.
2. Pray about it. Ask God to give you wisdom and insight so that you can make the right response.
3. Think about it. Make up your own mind and don’t let others tell you what to believe.

If you want to ask questions or talk about this subject further, then please contact one of the leaders.

Read Genesis 19:1-11
Lot has two angels staying in his house. The men of the town surround the house wanting to rape the visitors. To protect them, Lot offers the crowd his two virgin daughters instead. The crowd are not satisfied and break the door down – the angels then make the intruders blind and Sodom is eventually destroyed.

• God destroyed the town of Soddom because of the wicked people. Why do you think God decided they were wicked? Was it because of their homosexuality, the attempted rape or simply everything they did?
• Does this story prove that homosexuality is wrong? Why?

Read Leviticus 18:22
It is part of a chapter that explains God’s rules on sexuality for the Israelite people. Some Christians argue that these rules were cultural and only meant for those people at that time and do not apply today.

• Read some of God’s rules on sexuality before and after verse 22. Are these things acceptable today? Why?
• Do you think these rules still apply? Can we be selective and choose the ones we agree with?

Read Matthew 19:5
In teaching about divorce, Jesus quotes Genesis 2:24. He is clearly saying how important marriage is between a man and a woman but doesn’t mention homosexual couples.

• Is Jesus telling us that homosexual relationships are wrong or is this passage nothing to do with homosexuality?
• Do you think his views on marriage could apply to same-sex couples? Why?

Read Matthew 19:11-12
Jesus is saying that some people don’t get married and this is OK because it’s more important to look after your relationship with God.

• Some Christians think that Jesus was referring to gay people who couldn’t get married. Do you think this is what Jesus meant?
• Do you think it’s OK to be gay as long as you put God first? Why?

Read Romans 1:26-27
Paul is writing to the Romans where he talks about people who started to worship things other than God. Paul’s words are quite strong here and he seems to be saying that homosexuality is a result of disobedience to God.

• Some Christians believe that Paul is talking about male prostitutes, not gay couples in ongoing relationships.
• Do you think homosexuality is a result of disobeying God? Why or why not?

Read 1 Corinthians 6:9
When writing to the Corinthian church, Paul says that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God. This includes homosexuals.

• Many people argue that Paul’s writings were only meant for that time. Do you think this verse applies today? Why?
• Do you agree with Paul that thieves or drunkards will possess the kingdom of God? Does this change your mind about homosexuals?

Does anyone have any thoughts about these discussion starters? Have you used anything similar before? What are your own personal views?

UPDATE: The guys over at RETHINKING YOUTH MINISTRY have picked up on this post and linked to it from their website. As usual with these type of posts, it’s picking up some interest from people with very different views! There’s a discussion happening over on the RETHINKING site, so go check it out.