Define intimacy and describe how it can be beneficial to a person’s well-being.

Perspectives on Sexuality Paper

Write an 8-page paper outlining the essential elements of healthy sexuality. Using the course materials(textbook and attached lecture notes) and external research, this paper will describe the ways in which healthy sexuality contributes to an individual’s wholeness and well-being. Your paper should specifically address the following elements:

1. Define intimacy and describe how it can be beneficial to a person’s well-being.

2. Explain the purpose of abstinence before marriage.

3. Describe 3 essential elements/factors necessary to determine whether or not someone is practicing healthy sexuality.

4. Identify steps a couple may take to develop intimacy in their relationship.

5. Write a conclusion of your study of healthy sexuality thus far.

Papers should be written in current APA format and use at least 5 external sources.  Include a title page, abstract, and reference page, and provide at least 5 pages of content (not including title page, abstract, and reference pages) so that would be 8 pages total.

You are encouraged to include a biblical perspective with possible in text citations from Scriptures.

Must use this reference as one of the references within writing paper:

Balswick, J., & Balswick, J. (2008). Authentic human sexuality: An integrated Christian approach (2nd ed.). Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press. ISBN: 978-0-8308-2883-8.

(For Exam 1)

 

Table of Contents

HS 101: Redeeming Sexuality: Recovering God’s Plan for Our Lives

Archibald Hart, Ph.D.

HS 102: The Seven Desires: The Roots of Healthy Relationships

Mark Laaser, M.Div., Ph.D.

HS 103: God’s Great Idea: Toward a Theology of Sexuality

Ron Hawkins, D.Min., Ed.D.

HS 104: Healthy (vs. Unhealthy) Sexual Development

Cliff Penner, M.Div., Ph.D. and Joyce Penner, M.N.

 

Course Description

This course provides a panorama of sexual challenges that men and women are currently experiencing as well as the results of a national report on the sexuality of Christian men and women. This vibrant and fascinating study enables students to gain a better understanding of the complexities and fundamental differences of male and female sexuality and marital intimacy, in contrast to cultural myths and distortions.

Learning Objectives: By the end of this lesson, students:

1. Will be able to identify the major sexual problems facing today’s churches.

2. Will be able to recognize the origins of modern sexual distortions.

3. Will understand how to avoid and redeem sexual distortion and sin.

Introduction

The greatest challenge facing the church in the next century is the subject of sexuality. It is a battle equal to the dangers of terrorism waged against the church by the lies and attacks of Satan in our culture. In this course, Dr. Archibald Hart defines the appropriate Christian defense against immorality which he calls Operation Redemption. Operation Redemption is an attempt to pressure, protect and restore a healthy sexuality in families, people, and churches.

I. A Biblical Perspective of Sexuality

A. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4

B. Sexual Challenges in Churches

· Adolescent sexual abuse

· Pastoral sexual abuse

· Homosexuality

· Pornography

C. Sexually transmitted diseases

There is no area of the human existence more closely tied to the need for sanctification or redemption than sexuality.

D. Why does sexuality need redeeming?

· Sexuality is distorted and has lost its original intent.

· Modern sexuality is dangerous to women and children.

· Distorted sexuality is causing an abnormal gender gap.

· Modern sexuality has been taken out of the context of marriage.

· Modern sexual ideals have infiltrated the sub-culture of the church.

What God created to be a beautiful thing has been distorted into an ugly thing .

II. The Contributing Factors to Distorted Sexuality

A. The age of puberty continues to drop.

B. The age of masturbation continues to drop.

C. The age of exposure to pornography continues to drop.

D. The age of marriage continues to increase.

The time has increased between when a person is ready for sex and when he or she is able to fulfill his or her sexual desires according to biblical standards. These modern trends allow time for sexual distortion to leak in.

E. The Pitfalls of Pornography

· Leads to greater appetite for distortion

· Provides a false reality

· Makes it difficult to impossible for a man to transition from sexual fantasies to sexual experiences with a real person

· Decreases pleasure and satisfaction of sex

· Often leads to other forms of violence

· Gives men an unrealistic idea of a woman’s body and interests

F. The Pairing of Adrenaline and Sexual Excitement

· Results in search for greater arousal

· The basis for all addictions and perversions

Real sexual satisfaction can only be found in the relationship of marriage.

III. Contemporary Sexual Challenges in Our Churches and Culture

A. Child Sex

B. Pastoral Sex

· Transference and counter-transference

· Excessive fatigue and depression

· Extreme success

C. Homosexuality

IV. Suggestions for Redeeming Sexuality

A. De-emphasize the pleasure aspect of sex.

B. Emphasize a non-genital side to sexuality.

C. Help couples deal with their beliefs and habits of fantasy.

D. Help people be open about their own sexual distortions.

E. Help people learn how to control their sexuality.

F. Help Christians own up to their own vulnerability.

Bibliography/ Reading List

Hart, Archibald. The Sexual Man: Masculinity without Guilt. (Dallas, TX: Word, 1998).

Hart, Archibald. Coping with Depression in the Ministry and Other Helping Professions.

(Dallas, TX: Word, 1984).

Hart, Archibald. The Success Factor . (Revell Publishers, 1990).

Hart, Archibald. Habits of the Mind . (Available at hart@fuller.edu ).

Hart, Archibald. Healing Life’s Hidden Addictions . (Servant Publications, 1990).

Jones, Stanton & Mark Yarhouse. Homosexuality: The Use of Scientific Research in the

Church’s Moral Debate . (Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press, 2000).

HS 101 Study Questions

1. What is the greatest problem facing the church today? Why?

2. How has sexuality been distorted in American culture? What are the contributing factors to this distortion?

3. What are the specific problems in the church concerning sexuality? How can these be avoided or remedied?

4. What are the pitfalls of pornography?

5. What are some suggestions for redeeming the distorted state of sexuality in American culture, in individuals and in churches?

Soul Care Notes

Genesis 38:16

Numbers 25:1

Ezekiel 16:15

1 Corinthians 1:30

1 Corinthians 5:9-11

Ephesians 1:7

Revelation 2:18-23

 

Course Description

This course examines how people were created for relationships and presents seven basic needs that both men and women have. When life sours or love goes bad, people often begin a search for false substitutes that they think will meet those needs, but don’t. Many times these substitutes will be sexual in nature and are as powerful and destructive as any other addiction. Dr. Laaser helps students understand how to overcome what fuels sexual sin so healthy choices can be made when meeting the needs of a person’s heart.

Learning Objectives: By the end of this lesson, students:

1. Will be able to understand the seven basic desires of every human being.

2. Will be able to identify the false substitutes often misused to fulfill desires.

3. Will be able to recognize how to find fulfillment through a relationship with God, healthy relationships with other Christians, and a one-flesh relationship with a spouse.

Introduction

People are in a spiritual warfare in culture around sexuality. Satan has been attacking the church in the area of sexuality since its conception. This lesson will help students learn how to guard themselves against the devil’s attacks by learning how to fulfill their God-given desires through godly, healthy relationships.

I. Biblical Men Vulnerable to the Attack of Sexual Warfare

A. Samson: Tempted During Loneliness

B. David: Tempted After Being Scorned by His Wife

C. Solomon: Multiple Wives Enticed Him Away from God

Men and women are most vulnerable to sexual sin when they are lonely. We need to understand the desires of our hearts in order to guard ourselves against sexual temptation and fulfill those desires in the ways God intended.

II. The Seven Desires of Human Hearts

A. The Origin of These Desires Going Unmet

· Invasiveness: Sexual or emotional abuse

· Abandonment: Loneliness in relationships

· Failure to become one flesh: Needs left unmet in marriage

· Failure to have a relationship with Christ: He completes our desires

B. The Four Areas of Human Desires

· Emotional

· Physical

· Sexual

· Spiritual

C. The Fulfillment of Human Desires: Woman at the Well

Whoever drinks the living water (relationship with Christ) will never thirst again.

D. The Seven Desires Defined

· Emotional:

1. Desire #1: To be heard and known

2. Desire #2: To be affirmed (for what a person does)

3. Desire #3: To be praised (for who a person is)

· Physical:

1. Desire #4: To be safe

2. Desire #5: To be touched

3. Sexual: Desire #6: To be passionately desired (the only one)

· Spiritual: Desire #7: To be included (to belong)

1. Fellowship with God

2. Fellowship with other believers

3. Fellowship within a one-flesh relationship

III. False Fulfillment of Our Desires

A. Desire #1: To Be Heard

· Raise a person’s voice

· Talk incessantly

· Temper tantrums – Begging to be heard

Solution: Ask Spouse or Other Person to Listen

B. Desire #2: To Be Affirmed

· Driving expensive cars

· Spending money on material things

· Pornography: The sexual “yes”

Solution: Consider What a Person Has Done of Significant Value

C. Desire #3: To be praised

· Praising oneself

· Narcissism

Solution: Give These Kind of People Affirmation

D. Desire #4: To Be Safe

· Obsessions for cleanliness and order

· Anxiety disorders

· Extreme cautiousness or preparation

Solution: Realize that Safety Is Found Only in God

E. Desire #5: To Be Touched

· Sexual sins

· One-night affairs

· Strip joints or massage parlors

Solution: Teach Couples to Touch Each Other in Non-sexual Ways

F. Desire #6: To Be Passionately Desired

· Sexual Affairs

· Romance Novels, Soap Operas, Other Entertainment

Solution: Help Couples Focus Their Attention on Each Other

G. Desire #7: To Be Included

· Criticizing other people

· Religious bigotry, legalism, self-righteousness

· Sexual selfishness (sex equals inclusion)

· Co-dependency