Catechism Time Year A Lesson 8 The 6 th Commandment Remain Faithful (Lutheran Handbook reading, pages 123-125, page 198) Year A Lesson 8 Page 1 of 6 Opening Prayer When life is filled with joy and wonder, When life feels dark and we are afraid, When family cares, and when we think they don t, When we dare ask questions and when we feel alone. When we are confused and when we are sure, Amen. Key Words and Concepts HUMAN SEXUALITY means the physical and emotional elements of how God created us as loving beings. COVENANT means a formal, solemn, and binding agreement. ADULTERY is sexual relations with someone other than one s spouse. This definition has changed significantly since the OLD TESTAMENT times. SANCTITY means something is considered holy and sacred. KEY CONCEPT The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in its Social Statement on Human Sexuality offers this concept. This church teaches that degrees of physical intimacy should be carefully matched to degrees of growing affection and commitment. Commitment is always understood to be a PUBLIC statement. Thus the highest forms of sexual intimacy are to be matched with the highest forms of public commitment.
Year A Lesson 8 Page 2 of 6 Bible Stories of Sex and Love (there s a lot!) 2 Samuel 11:1-27 (read theater style with a narrator, David, David s messenger, Bathsheba, Uriah, Joab and Joab s messenger.) 1 Corinthians 13 This is often read at a wedding service. It talks about love as a spiritual gift from God. John 8:1-11 Sin happens! Key point. Adultery is sin. But Jesus forgives and asks that we sin no more. Four Kinds of Love In the Bible there are four words that are translated into English as love. STORGI is the love between family members. It is mysterious. We do not know how it begins. It is not based on genetics or blood. Adopted family members are loved the same as biological family members. PHILIO This is the love which friends share. It is mysterious. This is why you still have a friend or two that is strange or weird or just very different from all of your other friends. BUT they are still your friend. EROS This is romantic love. Totally mysterious. Do birds of a feather flock together or do opposites attract? Nobody knows. The TV commercials for dating websites are telling people, that for a fee, they will help them meet people that they might fall in love with. AGAPE This is the love of the head. It is not mysterious. This is considering the desires, needs and wants of another ahead of one s own needs, wants and desires. It is not an emotion but a decision to treat another as we would want to be treated. When Jesus said to love your enemies he used the word agape.
Year A Lesson 8 Page 3 of 6 Lutheran Handbook Create a list of the top ten attributes that you would want in the person that you would live for an entire lifetime. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Now read pages 123-125 in your Lutheran Handbook. Compare your list to the one given in the handbook. Where are there differences or similarities? What are the three most important attributes that you will look for in a spouse?
Year A Lesson 8 Page 4 of 6 The Fifth Commandment You shall not commit adultery. What is this? We are to fear and love God, so that we lead pure and decent lives in word and deed, and each of us loves and honors his or her spouse.. The Don ts of this commandment are: The Do s of this commandment are:
Year A Lesson 8 Page 5 of 6 Family Challenge Year A Lesson 8 Remain Faithful Please prepare the following by November 17 1. Family Challenge: Pretend you are a reporter and interview your parent(s) or any married couple with whom you are comfortable. How, when and where did they meet? Did they fall in love right away or did it take a long time? How old were they? What was the wedding ceremony like? What was the most memorable part of the wedding day? OR 2. Write a letter to your future spouse stating your hopes and dreams for your life together. What gifts do you bring to the relationship? What do you want or need from them? After you have completed the letter discuss it with you parents. This letter might be a gauge for future relationships. Often times, the only time in most cases, that we can think clearly about things like this is when you aren t in the situation.
Year A Lesson 8 Page 6 of 6