Sermon Series Name: Love Songs

Message Title: Love Under The Covers

Short Summary: This message explores God's design for sex as a beautiful and intimate bond between a husband and wife, as depicted in the Song of Solomon. It challenges cultural misconceptions and emphasizes the importance of intimacy, selflessness, and communication in marriage, encouraging believers to align their understanding and practice of sexuality with biblical principles.

Icebreaker Question

• If you could describe love using a song title, what would it be and why? 

Review of the Previous Week’s "I Will" Statement

• Reflect on last week's commitment. I will be a great partner by putting Jesus first.
  How does this commitment shape your understanding of love and intimacy? Can you share any specific experiences or insights? 

Five Discussion Questions (Core Focus)

1. Reflecting on the Message:
   • The message highlighted Solomon's misuse of sex and its consequences. How does this story challenge your understanding of intimacy and its purpose?
   • Context: Solomon's story in Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon.
   • Life Application: Consider areas in your life where you might be seeking fulfillment outside of God's design. How can you realign with His plan?
2. Intimacy and Communication:
   • The message emphasized the role of words and actions in building intimacy. Can you share a time when communication strengthened a relationship in your life?
   • Context: Song of Solomon 4:1-7, where the groom affirms his bride.
   • Life Application: Identify one way you can use words or actions to build intimacy in your relationships this week.
3. Selflessness in Relationships:
   • How does focusing on your spouse's or partner's needs change the dynamic of a relationship? Share an experience where selflessness led to deeper connection.
   • Context: 1 Corinthians 7:3-5, mutual satisfaction in marriage.
   • Life Application: What is one practical step you can take to prioritize someone else's needs this week?
4. Cultural Misconceptions:
   • The message addressed how culture shapes our views on sex. How have cultural messages impacted your understanding of relationships, and how do you discern truth from God's Word?
   • Context: The contrast between cultural views and biblical teachings.
   • Life Application: Commit to a daily practice of reading Scripture to renew your mind and align your views with God's truth.
5. Experiencing God's Forgiveness:
   • The message highlighted the importance of aligning our sexual lives with God's design and acknowledged that many may carry guilt or shame from past mistakes. How have you experienced God's forgiveness in this area of your life, and how has it impacted your journey toward healing and restoration?
   • Context: The message discussed Solomon's misuse of sex and the resulting emptiness he felt, contrasting it with God's design for intimacy within marriage. It emphasized that God's forgiveness is available for those who have strayed from His plan.
   • Life Application: Reflect on an area where you may have fallen short of God's design for sex and relationships. How can embracing God's forgiveness help you move forward with hope and a renewed commitment to His plan?

This Week’s "I Will" Statement

• I will take a step in following God's plan for sex at its best. 

Prayer Prompts

1. Prayer Requests: Invite participants to share personal prayer needs.
2. Forgiveness and Healing: Pray for those seeking forgiveness and healing from past mistakes, asking God to restore and renew their hearts.
3. Strength in Relationships: Pray for strength and wisdom to build relationships on the foundation of God's love and truth, focusing on selflessness and intimacy.

Rewatch the Message: www.pathwaychurch.com/messages