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EXPLORING MESSAGES An
exploration of messages about sexuality in
scripture, film, TV, and music Background: Our sexuality is one of the most amazing blessings from God. As Christians, we honor our sexuality as a deep part of our spirituality and of who we are as individual human beings. Everyone is gifted with sexuality from birth to death. With all that sexuality bouncing around in our world, it’s no wonder that it is such a huge part of our lives and such a huge part of artistic expression. The Bible has an entire book dedicated just to the celebration of love/sexuality/sensuality called “The Song of Solomon” or “Song of Songs”. Paintings for centuries have celebrated sexuality and love, from the prehistoric cave wall paintings to modern art. In our current culture it is no different, with sexuality being expressed in music, video, and film. Some of the images and messages are healthy and celebrate sexuality as a blessing. Other images exploit people for profit and project the idea that only certain people or body types can be sexual or sensual. ·
Share the background
with the group. ·
Share this definition
of sexuality: Sexuality is more than just sex.
Sexuality is about how we appreciate the world through our senses: taste,
touch, smell, sight, sound. Sexuality
is about how we see ourselves as male or female, and our qualities of both.
Sexuality is about who we are attracted to, whether it is people of the
same gender, the opposite gender, or both genders. Sexuality is about what feels good and healthy to our bodies,
minds, and hearts. Sexuality is
about how we begin to develop our flirting skills, how we appreciate romance,
and how we feel about our bodies when we are alone or when we are with other
people. Part one: Messages in scripture Scripture
passages:
·
Song Of
Songs/Solomon: Chapter 1:2-5, 9-14;
chapter 7:6-12; Chapter 8:6-7 ·
1st
Corinthians Chapter 13 ·
Genesis 1:26-31 ·
1st
Corinthians 3:16-17 ·
1st Samuel
18:1-4 Read each
scripture passage one at a time, ask the following questions about each one, and
write down the answers on a big sheet of newsprint. ·
What’s the message
in this passage about human bodies? ·
What’s the message
in this passage about human relationships? ·
Do you consider these
positive or negative messages? Part two: Messages in the media
Ask each
person to write down, on a piece of paper or in their Spiritual Life Journal, a
memory of a TV show they recently saw. Have
them think about what happened and write about the following questions: ·
What did the people
in the show look like? Were they
all similar or were there a variety of body types, ethnic backgrounds, ages,
sexual orientations, physical abilities? ·
How did the
characters treat each other? ·
Were some characters
portrayed as being sexy or attractive or in relationships?
If so which kinds of people? Ask each
person to write down their current favorite song. Answer the same questions
about the song. Ask each
person to think about the last two movies they saw and write them down.
Answer the same questions about the movies. When
everyone has finished their writing, have them share what their TV show, song,
and movie were and ask them the following questions. Record their answers on a
large piece of newsprint: ·
What’s the message
or messages about human bodies? ·
What’s the message
or messages about human relationships? ·
Do you consider these
positive or negative messages? ·
How are these
messages different or similar to the messages from the scripture passages? Invite them
to compare the messages from the scriptures and from the media.
Which messages are the same; which are different?
Which messages do they want to live by? End with a prayer thanking God
for our bodies, for our relationships, for healthy sexuality.
You may also want to close with “The Sexuality Song” found in the
introduction to this section. Deepening Faith: Youth Ministry Resources and Some Miscellaneous Advice Rev. Lizann Bassham, Front Porch Spirit Press Copyright © 2001
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