How should Christians respond to pressing cultural issues around gender, like preferred pronouns, bathrooms, and gay or trans weddings? We'll apply the truth of the Scriptures practically and also look at how churches should respond to seekers who wrestle with issues like same-sex attraction and/or gender dysphoria.

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS:

What are your thoughts on preferred pronouns? What sort of situations have you encountered around this issue? How did you handle them?

Jeff shared that attending a wedding is generally viewed as an endorsement of the celebration. Do you agree? Why or why not? How would you respond to being invited to a same-sex wedding?

How does the idea that 'God is love' (Cf. 1 John 4:8) differ from the cultural notion that 'love is God'?

Agape love means doing what is best for someone regardless of personal cost. What are some ways God has called you, personally, to show His Agape love to others in your life?

Reflect on the statement: "Their being actually loved is more important than their feeling loved." How does this challenge our typical understanding of love?

How does the promise of resurrected, perfected bodies in eternity impact how we view and deal with physical and mental struggles in this life?

What is gender dysphoria, and what causes it? Why are we seeing so much more of it? We'll talk about these timely questions and how Christians can think biblically about gender identity issues.

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS:

Do you believe in besetting sins (I.E., sins that a Christian will probably wrestle with their whole lives)?

Do you believe every Christian can be fully healed from any struggle with sin?

If not, what IS possible for every Christian in their struggles with sin?

In what ways might Christians be tempted to make exceptions for obedience to God's Word based on emotions or mental health struggles?

If a Christian struggled with gender dysphoria, how would you show them the love of Christ while maintaining biblical standards?

What are the potential consequences of finding your identity in something other than Christ?

What things in your life are you most tempted to find your identity in other than Christ?

What does the Bible say about the origins of our gender? How did the subject of gender identity go from something practically nobody was talking about 7-8 years ago to a mainstream cultural issue today? We'll talk about these questions and the answers provided by Romans 1 and the past few centuries of secular philosophy and intellectualism.

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS:

What stood out to you most from the sermon. Why?

Read Romans 1:18-32 out loud as a group. Take breaks and invite group members to share what sticks out to them from the text. Do they have any questions?

Jeff shared that the human heart becomes calibrated to recognize truth when we welcome truth that is revealed to us. Conversely, if we reject truth our heart can become uncalibrated, and we can struggle to discern truth from lies. Have you ever observed this reality in your own life or the lives of others? Tell the group about it.

Are there any truths about God and the Christian life that the modern church often suppresses?

What role does gratitude play in maintaining a right relationship with God, as suggested in Romans 1:21?

How can we balance speaking biblical truth about gender and sexuality with showing love and compassion to those struggling with these issues?