The Supreme Court has decided that same sex marriage should be legal throughout the United States. When you watch the news, it seems that everyone is cheering this decision on, except for the Church. Are we really the last ones to “get it?” Are we really just sticks in everyone’s mud, or is there actually a Biblical mandate at work here?
Lifegroup discussion questions after the jump!
How did you feel after hearing the news on Friday about the Supreme Court’s decision? Did you expect it to go down that way? What about when the White House was lit up in rainbow colors?
Okay, the next few questions are intended to take you on a logical progression… So don’t get off track here. Everyone follow along on your mobile device.
Think about this one first… Are we in favor of more love, or less love? (feel free to answer out loud, but don’t get off track)
Does God love us?
“I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love.
Jeremiah 31:3
Do we deserve His love?
All of us used to live that way, (obeying the devil) following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.
Ephesians 2:3
Does God accept us anyway?
But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)
Ephesians 2:4-5
Okay… So if God loves and accepts us, then shouldn’t we accept others, regardless of who they are?
The answer is “yes.” If you said anything else, you need to repent. Right now.
God accepted me in Christ, and covered my sin. His blood is sufficient to cover all of anyone’s sin. Once accepted, God placed the Holy Spirit inside of me, with one goal. Do you know what the Holy Spirit’s goal in my life is?
let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans 12:2
His goal is to transform me into His image. He is making me new. This means that he accepts me unconditionally, but he doesn’t approve of everything I do. He loves me so much, He believes I can become like Himself. He loves me so much He is willing to work in me to help me make that change.
“I correct and discipline everyone I love.”
-Jesus, Revelation 3:19If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all.
Hebrews 12:8
So, when it comes down to it, we are for more love… Because the most loving thing is to “discipline and correct” children so they can grow up to become the best they can be.
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15
4th of July is this weekend.. I hope you will join us downtown with your lawn chairs to hang out together.
But in light of this decision, how do you feel about celebrating America?
Spend some time in prayer with your group tonight for our nation.