Marriage Class 9: Redeeming & Enjoying Sex

Marriage Class Week 8: Sex

Redeeming & Enjoying Sex

Biblical Purpose #1: A Healthy Expression of an Intimate union

Perhaps most foundational, purpose of sex in marriage is to be a healthy, physical                                and                                   of the                 intimate union God intends for a husband and wife.

The goal of sex, in God's design, is to give                                to the love and the union that sex represents.

It’s not an isolated act, but the physical manifestation of the oneness you are building in                                                                   .

"If sex is not working in your marriage, look below the surface, it may be a result of deeper issues that need to be addressed and resolved before sexual intimacy improves."   - Tim Keller

"Husbands should touching her              and her                 before he ever touches her body."

And to be clear, if you are doing all this to have sex, you are missing the point. The point is intimacy! And that culminates and is expressed with sex.

Biblical Purpose #2: Procreation

Biblical Purpose #3: Pleasure

In fact, if you are not                          sex in marriage, you are limiting the glory you could give God because all good gifts are made to be                             in and through to the glory of God.
Sex is a              from Him,                 it!

 

The Challenges: What Gets in the Way?

A worldly vision of Sex as primarily for male gratification

1 Corinthians 7:4 ESV

4 For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.

Ongoing Battles with Lust

Lust is                                selfish and objectifying; it                          the beautiful picture of marital intimacy. It leads to discontentment, a focus on              gratification rather than                    pleasure.

You won’t be able to have true oneness if you have been doing that with                    emotionally, mentally, or physically.

We all carry baggage from the past

The Constant attack of the Enemy

1 Corinthians 7:5 ESV

5 Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

1. Embrace Selfless Love: The Path to Mutual Pleasure.

•        Husbands, Your joy should be in                                        . Likewise, wives, you too, your joy should be                                        . If both are seeking this, you will have a wonderful marriage.

2. Communicate Openly About Sex

Avoiding direct, honest conversations about sex is a                                recipe for                 expectations,              feelings, and distance.

3. Make time for Responsive Desire

•                                          Desire: This is the experience of sexual desire that arises seemingly out of nowhere, as a proactive urge, craving, or thought about sex, often preceding any direct sexual activity or stimulation. It's the feeling that initiates the pursuit of sexual engagement.

•                                    (or Responsive) Desire: This is the experience of sexual desire that emerges or increases in response to sexual stimulation, physical touch, or emotional connection. It's the willingness or openness to engage in sexual activity, with desire and arousal building during the interaction rather than being the starting point.

4. Talk with other Trusted People