Sex In Marriage: The Basics - Part 2Sample

## Procreation It seems like overall, the church has not done a very good job of teaching about sex.  Sure there are exceptions, and I applaud them. When I read the Song of Solomon and some of the Psalms, I don’t understand why the talk of sex in church has been so taboo. In the past there were some extreme teachings that said sex was only to be used for procreation and not as a gift to be enjoyed. Those views are so different from what I see in the Bible. It saddens me that so many who were under those teachings missed out on so much. Then there were those who taught about all the evils of sex and the problems it could cause. I get that there is a dark side to sex and we live in a culture that tends to embrace the dark side. For me, the problem is that the message of sex as God designed it for marriage got lost somewhere along the line. Song of Solomon is this beautiful picture of two people embracing sex in their marriage as a gift from God. They are “naked and unashamed.” The man and woman delight in each other and their bodies. They are connected at a deep level. They are truly embracing sex as the gift God gave them to enjoy. Is procreation a purpose for sex? Of course! Is it the only reason God created sex? No.  Not at all. Today’s Challenge: What is your role in helping your mate see the sexual relationship as a gift from God? Going Deeper: 1\. From a practical standpoint, what are the benefits of procreation? 2\. As you grew up, what were some of the messages you received about sex? 3\. Does guilt have a place in the marital sexual relationship? Why or why not? 4\. We live in a world that is “super charged” on sex. There seems to be very little that is taboo. How does that affect you and your marriage?