Sermon Notes
“Homosexuality”
I.
Scripture and tradition regarding homosexuality
a) There are generally ___________ Biblical passages specifically mentioning some form of
same-sex practice. (Genesis 19:1-29, Leviticus 18:22, Leviticus 20:13, I Corinthians 6:911, I Timothy 1:8-11. Romans 1:18-2:4)
b) The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist church represents the binding
________________ and laws of our denomination.
II.
Why progressives want to change the UMC stance on homosexuality
a) Progressives believe that the Bible is inspired by the Holy Spirit but written by people
whose ___________________ were bound by their culture and time.
b) Progressives do not believe someone ____________ to be homosexual, or that an
individual can change that fact.
c) Progressives see the homosexuality debate as a civil rights and _______________ issue.
III.
Why traditionalists want to retain the UMC stance on homosexuality
a) Traditionalists believe that _______________ clearly teaches that human beings should
not engage in homosexual activity.
b) Traditionalists believe that people can ______________ the desire for sexual intimacy
with someone of the same sex.
c) Traditionalists believe that the _______________ of scripture is at stake in this debate.
IV.
How do we, as Christians, respond to homosexuals?
a) Christians are to bear one another’s ____________ and love our neighbor as ourselves.
b) Christians are to see other’s through the eyes of ________________.
c) A Christian’s task is not to completely understand sexual orientation; our task is to
_________________ our lives to Christ.
Asbury UMC Daily Study Guide
Monday – Genesis 19:1-29
This story is where the word “sodomy” comes from. Was this story about homosexuality, or
about rape, and evil, and the inhumanity of the Sodomites? Remember that homosexually
brutalizing another man was a means of demonstrating power and dominance over them, and, if
they were foreigners, over their people.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Tuesday – Romans 1:18-2:11
Paul is making a theological point about all of humanity – he is pointing to our brokenness and
our need for God’s grace. He begins by painting a picture of what he sees among the Roman
Gentiles, but moves to the kind of sins every human being commits. Paul draws the circle of sin
ever wider until we all see ourselves caught in it. The focus is not on homosexuality, but
homosexual sexual intimacy is one example that Paul gives of human fallenness. As you read
this passage, what do you see as the main point?
______________________________________________________________________________
Wednesday – Luke 10:25-37
Regardless of where you come out on the debate about homosexual practice, among the
questions we must answer is, “how do we, as Christians, respond to homosexuals?” One answer
may be found in Luke 10:25-37. Reflect upon this passage and its meaning as it relates to our
church’s ministry with homosexuals, and your own personal response.
______________________________________________________________________________
Thursday – Genesis 1:26-28, 2:18-25
How do these verses set the stage for the Biblical understanding of human sexuality?
_____________________________________________________________________________
Friday – Philippians
Today as we close this week, take fifteen minutes to read Paul’s letter to the Philippians. How
does this letter shape your understanding of the goals of the Christian life? How does it shape
how you should respond to those who disagree with you on the issue of homosexuality?
______________________________________________________________________________
This devotion was obtained at cor.org.
Answers the sermon notes: 1a) 6, b) rules. 2a) understandings, b) chooses, c) justice. 3a)
scripture, b) resist, c) authority 4a) burdens b) Jesus c) commit.