Course Overview and Objectives
YOU ARE DESIGNED TO BE WHOLE: MALE AND FEMALE
“And God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”
– Genesis 1:27
Here we see God, a union of three persons in one (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) and He is the first example of perfect wholeness and unity. God made mankind with an essence linked to His image, and man is the only created being with that status! God made human beings complete with five integrated aspects: physical, intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual. Ephesians 4:15 says, “But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, Who is the head, even Christ.” God intends for us to be whole and complete, so we can “be” who He made us to be. James 1:4 says, “Let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” Perfect also means whole. Along with our five aspects, God also gave us each a sexual nature, or a core identity, in which to function. Genesis 1:27 says, “And God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him, male and female He created them.” God made mankind male and female intentionally to reflect different aspects of His own nature. Sex, then, is not just a physical act, it is our male or female nature. Sexuality is a key part of the core identity of every person and a powerful force in their design! When we express our sex (our nature) through each of our five aspects in an integrated way, we are living with sexual integrity.
Did you know men and women are different? From the beginning, God intended to differentiate the sexes for powerful purposes. Any partnership that includes two individuals, each with unique personalities, gifts and talents, infused with biological imperatives, is a formidable plan! Did you know men and women are equally valued? God created both sexes as equal and necessary, uniquely designed to accomplish the expansion of His Kingdom together. Our culture is confused about the power and purpose of human sexuality and has begun to focus on the feelings of a person, rather than their biology and innate design features. The reality of a person’s sex has anchored societal views from the beginning of time, and yet there are those attempting to do away with male and female as the basis for relationships that secure our societal foundation, in particular marriage. A minority have pushed for replacing healthy, life-giving, fruitful relationships with a myriad of lifestyle and relationship formations that defy nature. This course will focus on the attempts to confuse God’s original plan for human flourishing and help you minister to those who are confused. You will strengthen your understanding on how best to teach the truth about male and female sexuality while correcting the confusion related to homosexuality. We join you in your goal to bring freedom to those you care for by delivering truth with grace.
Course Objectives
- Confirm the scriptural mandate for male and female design and Kingdom living.
- Clarify the history and origins of current views on homosexuality.
- Review biblical text in response to attempts to alter the traditional theology on male and female sexuality and relationships.
- Examine science about the origins of same-sex attraction and homosexuality and the latest research on therapy.
- Reveal the dangers of the homosexual lifestyle.
- Provide loving responses to a myriad of issues and questions.
- Introduce helpful resources and organizations dealing with LGBT issues.
