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Bible Marking: Crash Course (Part 1)
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“How does your church feel about homosexuality?” A brand new Christian asked me this question. I’m glad she did. A local denomination recently hung a sign in front of their building that reads, “We accept everybody. Seriously, everybody.” But since what matters is how God feels about homosexuality, we went to His Book to find out. This hot-button topic is all over the media. The world is very confused about the subject of homosexuality. We need to teach them what the Bible says about it. But as a friend of mine recently pointed out, instead of just writing articles and hoping the right people read them, we need to be lovingly teaching our friends, neighbors, and co-workers one on one.
The purpose of Bible-marking this particular topic is so that we’ll be prepared to teach as the opportunity arises, and it will. It will be much more effective if we can immediately turn to Scripture to answer questions. We won’t convince anyone if all we have to offer is feelings and opinions. The Word convicts. Let its power do its work on the hearts of the hearers (Heb. 4:12). As our Creator, God does indeed plainly tell us, from Old Testament to New, how He feels about the practice of homosexuality.
“Homosexuality”- Lev. 18:22
You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination.
At the end of the verse, write 20:13 (because we’re staying in Leviticus).
If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them.
Under the old law, homosexuality was seen as a sin punishable by death.
At the end of this verse, write Gen. 13:13.
But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord.
Write the word “how?” in the margin, and then at the end of the verse, write 19:4,5.
Now before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both old and young, all the people from every quarter, surrounded the house. And they called to Lot and said to him, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may know them carnally.
The men of Sodom were “exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord” because they engaged in homosexuality.
At the end of the verse, write 1 Tim. 1:9,10
Knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine.
Fornication is having sex with anyone who is not your spouse. Where the New King James version uses the word “sodomy” here, the New American Standard uses the word “homosexuals,” and the New International Version reads “those practicing homosexuality.”
At the end of this verse, write Rom. 1:26-32.
For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness, full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
In this text, God describes homosexual behavior as “vile” and unnatural. Note that the Bible says those who “practice” such things are deserving of death. Some claim that they can’t help being homosexual. While it may be true that they have those desires, they are still going to be held accountable if they act on them. We have no problem understanding that when it comes to the other specific sins that are listed (murder, fornication, maliciousness). It’s also important to note that not only will the guilty face punishment, but so will those who “approve of those who practice them.”
At the end of this passage, write 1 Cor. 6:9-11.
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
Circle the word “unrighteous,” and then notice the list of people God considers unrighteous.
Four of them concern specific sexual sins (fornicators, adulterers, homosexuals, and sodomites). Anyone guilty of practicing these things will not inherit the kingdom of God. “Do not be deceived” by the media, by politics, or even by family members and friends. But notice the last part of the verse. “And such were some of you.” This is very important when teaching others what the Bible says about homosexuality. Paul was writing to Christians. Those who struggle with this sin CAN put it away and live righteously.
May God give us hearts of compassion and courage as we strive to let His truth be heard on this controversial subject.
Click here to view our other Bible Marking articles.
- Bible Marking: You Are… - July 7, 2022
- Bible Marking: Know Your Enemy - January 28, 2022
- Bible Marking: Strong Drink - November 25, 2020
Welcome! We are so glad you stopped by. Come Fill Your Cup is a group of Christian ladies dedicated to equipping women for study and service. We know you are busy and that life’s hectic pace pulls you in so many directions, but you can’t truly be the woman God desires unless you take time to fill your own cup…not with spa days (though we love a good spa!) or the latest novel…but with God’s Holy Word. We want to help you with that! Our goal is to reach you in the midst of your busy day and give you encouragement, education, and fellowship as you strive to live the life God has laid before you. Our prayer is that we can help fill your cup so that you, in turn, can overflow to all those around you. So, as we like to say…come fill your cup, and let it overflow!
Thank you so much for these Bible marking lessons. They are so helpful. It is important that we be able to show scriptures when discussing any topic with others. As you said, this topic is everywhere now and we need to be able to stand for truth.
Thank you, Cyndi!
Kathy,
Thank you so much for this wonderful study! I did do my Bible marking, and Pray I will one day have the opportunity to share this message with someone. I do struggle so much with homosexuality, I work in an industry where I work more with homosexuals than not. I struggle if I even should keep my job at times, and quite frankly some of these people I enjoy their company. I make no secret of my Salvation and my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. However……I am wrong, is my “apparent” acceptance a sin? I would be so grateful for any words of encouragement or direction. In Christ Love, Starla
Starla, that’s a great question, and I appreciate your tender heart. I can’t really answer it for you, but I will share some thoughts with you.
The job itself isn’t the issue. Homosexuality is just one item among a whole list of sins. Other co-workers might be engaged in gossip or fornication, or have a problem with pride or covetousness. As Christians, we strive to live righteously while surrounded by worldly practices. However, you can study the book of Romans to discern whether you need to make some changes or at least be on your guard. For instance, you can ask yourself some questions:
1. Has it caused you to be ashamed of the gospel? -Rom. 1:16
2. Has it caused you to suppress the truth?- Rom. 1:18
3. Has it caused you to conform instead of transform?- Rom. 12:2
Just because you have the same job as some who practice homosexuality doesn’t mean you “approve” of it. Approving of it would involve:
1. Not viewing it as an abomination the way God does (the practice, not the people)
2. Making light of it, joking about it
3. Not sharing what the Bible says about it
4. Thinking there’s nothing wrong with it
And, of course, you can pray for wisdom. God knows your heart! I hope this helps some, and I’ll be praying, too.
I would also add, working with them is an avenue of reaching them with the Gospel (for some of them this may be the only way) Jesus went to the sinners. Remember He was criticized for eating with them.
Oh, thank you! That helped me a lot. I have lots of friends who are homosexual. I had often wondered the same as Starla.
What a wonderful way to view any job we hold in this world. It is tough no matter the sin to work with it every day.
I have posted some things pertaining to this topic and have gotten some serious chat back. I was told that I was not open minded and did not love all people. I responded that it is the sin that I do not agree with not the person that I love as my friend. What other way can I respond to people like this?
Unfortunately, the world equates teaching the truth on this particularly topic with hate speech. We just have to make sure our demeanor is patient and loving (in posts and one-on-one), and also express the fact that it’s BECAUSE we love them that we’re sharing an unpopular truth.
Thank you, Kathy for sharing your thoughts. Which of course, are God’s thoughts.
My pleasure! Thank you for your encouragement!
Excellent article! If only the right people were reading it. I will share on my FB wall.
Thank you so much, Erica!
Kathy,
I have a friend who has shared with me that her 15 year old daughter believes she is gay. My friend has been studying scripture, but is beginning to believe that perhaps being gay is not sinful. I want to show her this lesson, which is very good, but how does she help her daughter through this confusing time in her life and get her back on the right path?
Hopefully mother and daughter will have an interest in letting the Word guide them. Just like anything else teenagers might be tempted to engage in (cursing, drinking, fornication, etc.), parents must teach them what God expects of them. Once the mother clearly sees how God views homosexuality, perhaps she will sit down with her daughter and they can Bible-mark the topic together. She’s going to have to explain to her that many in the world will try to convince her of things that completely contradict Scripture, but biblical wisdom is “seeing earthly things through heavenly eyes.” Also, she can remind her daughter that there will never be a temptation too great to resist (1 Cor. 10:13).
Let’s look at a few other things in the “Bible” . Correct me if I am wrong, I will be using the King James Version (KJV) as that is the version I grew up on and know best. In Genesis 2:7,21-22 (7)”And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
21 And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
22 And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
Once you skip down to Genesis 4 after Adam and Eve had been banished from the garden of Eden
Genesis chapter 4:1-2,17-18,25-26.
4 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord.
2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
17 And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch.
18 And unto Enoch was born Irad: and Irad begat Mehujael: and Mehujael begat Methusael: and Methusael begat Lamech.
25 And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.
26 And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the Lord.
As the Bible claims Adam and Eve were the only 2 people God created, so there had to be some incest going on there for their sons to have taken wives and bore children with them. So why again is gay marriage an issue when the Bible contradicts itself time and time again? It’s not ok to be gay but it’s ok to have sexual relations with family? How about we go a little further into it.
Deuteronomy 21:18-21
King James Version (KJV)
18 If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them:
19 Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place;
20 And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard.
21 And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.
Exodus 21:17
17 And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death
So, anyone with teenagers out there want to go with what the Bible says you should do to handle them?
1 Corinthians 14:34-35
King James Version (KJV)
34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law.
35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
Hope you ladies are keeping quiet in church.
Leviticus 19:19
King James Version (KJV)
19 Ye shall keep my statutes. Thou shalt not let thy cattle gender with a diverse kind: thou shalt not sow thy field with mingled seed: neither shall a garment mingled of linen and woollen come upon thee. (Well, we are all doomed on this one with the belended fabrics!)
Lev 11: 7
Leviticus 11:7
King James Version (KJV)
7 And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you.
Better start giving up the bacon,pork loin, pork chops,Bologna, etc.
My point is, as much as it may anger some, if the Bible is “God’s True Word”, then why do people get to pick and choose which parts they want to follow, and which parts “don’t apply in modern times”. Either it’s ALL relevant or none of it is.
Great question. This is actually a pretty common source of confusion.
You have likely noticed that the Bible is divided into two parts: the Old Testament and the New Testament. “Testament” is another word for “covenant” or, as we might say today, “contract.” The Old Testament was the Israelites’ contract with God and applied only to them. It did not even apply to the Gentiles or non-Jews of their day. It also does not apply to us today (and aren’t we glad?! Christ is far superior). The Old Testament or Old Law, according to Galatians 3:23-25 was to serve as a tutor to bring us to Christ. The scripture says, “But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.” Romans 15:4 explains that the things which were written before are for our learning. The old law teaches us the attitude God has toward sin as well as the seriousness of the offenses we commit against Him. As such it is still useful to us today, much in the same way an old contract on, for example, a piece of real estate would be useful to us. While it is not binding on us, we can learn from it.
God’s creation in Genesis is hardly a comprehensive telling providing all the details one could wonder about. Then again, it wasn’t really God’s point to satisfy all our curiosities on the subject. Your assumption that Cain knew one of his sisters in starting his family is accurate according to the record given here since Eve was the “mother of all living” (Genesis 3:20, emp mine). You may also notice that during this time period, there was no specific law between God and man regarding incest. It was not, at that time, wrong by God’s standards to have relations with one’s sister/ brother or to take them as a spouse.
You mentioned God’s attitude and punishment for children disobedient to parents in Exodus 21:17 (note: this offense worthy of stoning is a serious matter, not something along the lines of not doing chores or even yelling at one’s parents). You may have noticed that within the list of sins of Romans 1:26-32 (cited in this article) “disobedient to parents” makes an appearance along with many other sins many of us are guilty of. God’s attitude has not changed and He still regards a child’s disobedience seriously (see also Ephesians 6:1). He does not, however, require us to stone disobedient children. This passage ought to cause us to tremble, though. Our standard for children’s behavior here in America is woefully low and disobedience as well as outright disrespect is seen as standard behavior.
As for 1 Corinthians 14:34-35, a careful study will show that the apostle Paul (writer of both Corinthian letters) uses the word “speak” to refer to addressing the congregation in this section of scripture (see 1 Corinthians 14:23, 26). Thus a woman is not, according to Paul, permitted to address the congregation. It is a shame if she does because it is the men’s job, not because there is anything inferior in the woman’s intellect. If I shirk my duty and another comes along and does it for me, it is a shame to me, showing me to be lazy in doing what I ought. There are other scriptures on this same issue which one may well have similar questions about, but the comment section of an article on another subject entirely is hardly the place for such a discussion. I will plan to run an article covering this topic (women speaking in the church) within a month.
The commands of Leviticus 19 and 11 cited in your comment are part of the old covenant and not applicable today due to the reasons mentioned above. We are simply not under that law today. If homosexuality were only in the old law, it would not apply to us today either. However, it is well-established in the New Testament as being against God’s law (as seen in this article). In the Old Testament, specific punishments were given, but in the New Testament, matters of the like are left to the government (see Romans 13:1-4). God’s punishment for this sin and others is found in eternity (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
Unfortunately, you are right about people picking and choosing what they will believe and follow of God’s word. There are many churches who have given up teaching what God truly says about homosexuality because, as you put it, it may anger some. They have given up teaching God’s commands on many things and I’m afraid they are not teaching the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27). May we be ever ready to teach what we ought and follow as we should… no matter the consequences.
Erynn Sprouse
Editor, Come Fill Your Cup
editor@comefillyourcup.com
I just wanted to say I appreciate your kind, well thought out answer.
This is great!!! I am going to go through it with my son. He is been asking a lot of questions, especially since The Boy Scouts have now made it an issue.
Thank you, Sharla! It’s great that your son is coming to you with his questions. I pray all of our sons and daughters will keep asking, and that we’ll take them to the right Source for the answers.
This is such a great resource! I also just marked your prayer Bible marking series. Thank you for blessing me today <3
Thank you very much for your encouragement, Kristen! (Sorry for the late reply. I just now saw your comment.)