Desired Takeaway
God’s design for sexuality is not about restriction but restoration. We are invited to see our bodies and desires through the lens of love that gives, not takes—and to allow Jesus to heal and reshape our stories with His grace and truth.

Icebreaker
What’s something our culture tends to either overvalue or undervalue when it comes to love and relationships? Why do you think that is?
(Encourage a light start that acknowledges the influence of culture without forcing personal vulnerability too early.)

Scripture Focus
John 8:1–11
John 8 reveals Jesus’ heart toward those whose sexual stories are marked by failure, shame, or wounding.

Flow Questions
1. Lean In (Connection)
Why do you think conversations about sexuality can feel so charged or uncomfortable in the church?
What would it take for the church to become a place where people can speak honestly about these topics without fear of shame?

2. Look Down (Scripture Observation)
Read Genesis 2:18–25 together.

• What do you notice about God’s intentions for intimacy and oneness between man and woman?
• What does it mean that they were “naked and not ashamed”?
• Then read John 8:1–11 slowly.
• How does Jesus respond to the woman and to her accusers?
• What do His words “neither do I condemn you—go and sin no more” reveal about His heart toward sin and sinners?

(Encourage observation before interpretation. Let the group sit in both the beauty of creation and the tenderness of redemption.)

3. Look Out (Cultural Reflection)

• Where do you see the tension between God’s vision for love and the world’s vision
• How do modern messages about sex—through media, technology, or relationships—affect how people think about their worth, their bodies, or love itself?

4. Look In (Personal Reflection)

• When you think about your own story—past or present—how have cultural messages shaped the way you see yourself, your body, or your relationships?
• How does Jesus’ response to the woman in John 8 speak to places in your life that need healing or grace?
• What might it look like for you to let Jesus restore your view of love, desire, and identity?

(Remind participants that this is a safe space; no one is pressured to share personal details. The focus is on what God is revealing, not confession of sin.)

5. Live it Out (Kingdom Vision)

• If we believed that our bodies truly belong to God and are filled with His Spirit, how might that reshape:
• The way we date or express affection?
• The way we talk about sex and purity in community?
• The way we respond to people carrying sexual shame or brokenness?

(Encourage participants to envision a community marked by both conviction and compassion.)

Optional Exercises for the Week

• Scripture Meditation: Read Psalm 139:13–16 and 1 John 4:7–12 throughout the week. Ask God to help you see your body and others’ bodies through His eyes—fearfully made and deeply loved.
• Grace Reflection: Write a letter to Jesus (you won’t share it) naming where you need forgiveness, freedom, or healing in your sexual story. End the letter by writing His words to you: “Neither do I condemn you. Go and live in freedom.”
• Digital Detox: Take a 3-day break from media that portrays distorted views of sexuality (TV, social media, music, etc.). Journal what shifts internally during that time.
• Practical Purity Practice: If dating, talk with your partner about what love requires of you both—set clear, shared boundaries that reflect Jesus-centered love.

Prayer Prompt
“Jesus, thank You that You see us fully and love us completely. Teach us to see our bodies as sacred—made for love, not for shame. Heal what’s been wounded, forgive what’s been misused, and fill us with Your Spirit to live in truth and grace. May we reflect Your love with integrity, compassion, and joy. Amen.”

Suggested Resources for Further Study
Link: Book: The Meaning of Marriage by Timothy Keller 
Link: Article: Dallas Willard, “The Human Body and Spiritual Growth”