Sense & Sexuality: Walking in the light

So we are underway!  Last Sunday we launched our new teaching series 'Sense and Sexuality' and I preached about the Bible's high view on sex. If you were not around on Sunday you can download the message here:

http://www.tkc.org.uk/Media/Player.aspx?media_id=110382&file_id=120471

During the message I talked about how we can be shaped by our culture and/or upbringing and how our view of sex and sexuality can be influenced by things we see, hear and experience.

None of us are immune from this and, through advancements in online technology, access to sexually explicit material is now easier to get hold of than ever before. Every second 30,000 people are watching porn online.

And the statistics suggest that Christians are not immune from this temptation and, as it can lead, from this addiction. I think it's time we lifted the lid on this conversation, brought some stuff into the light and prayed for the power of God  to come and help us live a life which is free. There have been times in my life where I have struggled with the temptation of looking at stuff online and I want to help men find freedom from this.

So I am hosting a seminar for men on Saturday 20th July from 9.00am-10.30am at The King's Centre where I am going to do some teaching on this subject, hear some stories from guys who have found freedom, give some practical tools for how we can protect ourselves and be accountable and find time to pray for one another. Let me encourage you to come along so we can live in the light, please email me at jim.partridge@tkc.org.uk if you can come.

However, this is not a bloke only issue. The number of women becoming addicted to online porn is rising all the time and the phenomenal success of "50 shades of grey" highlights a growing trend in our culture. So we are also doing a seminar for women where similar themes are covered. This will be on Sunday 21st July from 7.30pm-9.00pm at The King's Centre. If you have questions about this please email info@tkc.org.uk.

I am praying that this teaching series will bring real freedom, but this will happen more fully as we bring things into the light.

Also, let me remind you married couples out there of the marriage seminar on Sunday 14th July, 7.30pm at The King's Centre. If you have not yet let us know you are coming please do so ASAP!

Married? Let's talk about Sex!

In a couple of weeks time we are starting a new teaching series at our Sunday meetings at The King's Church Mid-Sussex.

'Sense and Sexuality' starts on Sunday 23 June and over six weeks we will be looking at what the Bible says about identity, sexuality, relationships, singleness, marriage and much much more.

However, we also want to do some teaching outside of the Sunday morning context in order to develop and add to what is taught. So, in addition to the Sunday mornings, we are planning a number of specific 'seminar' style events for people to opt in to. I will be explaining more about the different options available via this blog so keep checking in but the first one I want to highlight is an evening for married couples.

Married? Let's talk about Sex. 

On Sunday 14 July Dominique and I will be hosting an evening for married couples where we will have a very frank, honest, fun and informal conversation about sex and marriage. With input from ourselves, Carl and Caren Jones and Brian and Kay Reynolds, we are wanting to talk about how we can maintain and develop healthy sex lives within our marriages that honour one another and glorify God.  

The brilliant American author John Ortberg writes that "Sex, in light of Jesus' teaching, always involves God, because God is the creator of humans. Therefore God is inevitably deeply concerned that sex be expressed, enjoyed, savoured, and relished in accordance with his design."

Sexual intimacy within marriage is designed by God to be enjoyed, savoured and relished and the Bible says a lot about how this is to happen. However, the reality is we rarely talk about these things within the context of church and, for some married couples, this subject can become a source of conflict rather than celebration yet people often feel unable to talk about it and receive input and support. 

Sex has become taboo. We think it's time to lift the lid on the conversation. 

So we are going to talk about subjects such as the difference between men and women when it comes to sex and intimacy, we'll talk about communication and how married couples can talk together honestly about sex, we'll talk about how to keep romance alive and kicking within marriage. There may even be time for some Q&A.

If you are married and want to come along, then the evening will start at 7.30pm and will run at The King's Centre, Burgess Hill.  It would be helpful to know if you are planning to come so please email me at jim.partridge@tkc.org.uk to let me know.

More information about the other seminars will be coming out soon.