READ: MATTHEW 19:4-6; EPHESIANS 5:25-33; HEBREWS 13:4-5

Christians are notoriously bad at talking about sex. We gloss over it, give incomplete information, and usually end the conversation with, “Sex is bad. Don’t do it.” So, on behalf of Christians everywhere, I want to apologize. Sometimes we struggle with awkward subjects. We make the mistake of believing that sex has nothing to do with the gospel. But God’s Word says otherwise.

The Bible is overwhelmingly clear: creation is very good, and that means sex is very good when it’s used as it was created, in its God-given context of marriage (Genesis 1:27, 31; 2:23-25; Song of Songs 7:10-12). God created us male and female, and He did that on purpose. Males in their male-ness and females in their female-ness. When couples are brought together in the one-man-one-woman-one-lifetime covenant of marriage before God, they reflect His image in a unique way. According to Scripture, this points to God’s relationship with us, His church.

You see, sex is a reminder of a covenant that has already been made. It physically acts out the fact that, in marriage, spouses have given their whole selves over to that other person, just like Jesus has given His whole Self over to us. Sex is an act of loving completely, faithfully, and freely, mirroring the way Jesus loves us completely, faithfully, and freely. Sex says, “I give everything I am to you. I will never leave or abandon you. I have made a covenant with you, and I will never break that covenant.” Has Jesus ever said things like that?

Here’s the hard part for you, as people who, I assume, are not yet married: we cannot act out a covenant that we have not made (and that covenant must be made publicly, before God and the church). If we choose to have sex outside of marriage, we are lying with our bodies. Sex is a good gift from God, and when we misuse this good gift, it is a sin just like any other sin. But, my friends, there is abounding grace in Jesus. You can rest in the one who loves you more than anyone, including a future spouse (if that’s what He has planned for you) ever could. • Taylor Eising

• How can knowing that we bear God’s image affect the way we view sexuality?

• God created sex as a good gift to be shared and enjoyed by a husband and wife within marriage. Why are all other expressions of sexuality (lust, pornography, etc.) not good?

• Who is a trusted Christian in your life you can talk to about questions you have about sex?

God saw all that he had made, and it was very good indeed. Genesis 1:31 (CSB)

READ: LUKE 10:38-42

I often find myself caught up wondering if I’m doing enough for God or others. The Bible tells us to do good, serve God, and love others. All these things are important, but sometimes I can forget what’s most important.

In Luke 10, Martha is in a similar predicament. Jesus and His disciples were staying at her house, and Martha “was distracted with much serving” (verse 40). She was serving Jesus and His disciples and being hospitable, which seems good! But her sister Mary was not helping her serve. Rather, Mary “sat at Jesus’ feet,” taking the posture of a disciple and listening to His teaching (verse 39). Martha told Jesus to tell Mary to help her. But Jesus replied, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her” (verse 41-42).

It’s better to sit at Jesus’s feet and listen to Him than to be distracted with serving Him. It’s not about what we can do for Jesus, but what Jesus has done and is doing. God is calling us to be with Him and listen. We don’t need to be anxious about serving or doing “enough.” Jesus has already done enough. He died on the cross and rose from the grave, defeating sin and death. All we need to do is listen. When we come to Him in belief, He forgives our sins and gives us the Holy Spirit. Having the Holy Spirit means God dwells in us and we are always with Him. So we are always free to set aside the distractions and draw near to Him. • Elizabeth Cooper

• Have you been striving to do “enough” to serve God? How can knowing that Jesus has already done enough help us rest in Him?

• God calls us to serve Him, but He also calls us to listen to Him. What is the difference between serving God as we listen to and rely on Him, versus serving God as a distraction from listening to and being with Him? Who are trusted Christians you could talk with more about this?

• In some cultures and communities, being busy and sometimes overworking is seen as a good thing. But this is not the way of God’s kingdom (Matthew 11:28-30). Do you struggle with overworking yourself? How could you set aside time in your day just to rest and be with God?

“Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10 (WEB)

READ: PSALMS 18:2; 73:26; 2 CORINTHIANS 12:9-10

Susannah Spurgeon was born Susannah Thompson in London, England, on January 15th, 1832. Her family often attended New Park Street Chapel, where she first trusted Jesus Christ as her Savior. There she met Charles Haddon Spurgeon, a new preacher who later became a pastor.

On January 8th, 1856, Charles and Susannah were married. After their honeymoon, her husband left to preach, often leaving her behind. He would send letters to her almost every day, often filled with things to make her laugh and saying how much he missed her. On September 20th, 1856, their twin boys were born. Thankfully Charles was able to be home all day and take care of his wife. Nothing could cloud the joy and happiness they had.

Through the next couple years, life was hard. Tragic events happened that left Charles experiencing depression. His wife was always by his side and helped him get through that time of life. Susannah was often bedbound and weak from sickness, and she leaned on God’s strength and trusted Him to take care of her.

Later on, she started “The Book Fund” to help preachers who needed books and couldn’t afford them. She herself sent out books every week. She always gave glory to God in providing the funds and the strength to keep going, stating, “Yes, I truly have reason to bless the Lord for abundant supplies; His treasury has been wide open to me, His riches have constantly outweighed my necessities. He has multiplied His mercies above all my desires.” She herself wrote several books while handling the Book Fund. She often compared the Book Fund with a lemon tree she had planted. Both the tree and the fund had grown together and borne fruit together. She continued the Book Fund until her death on October 22nd, 1903.

In total, Susannah sent out about 200,000 books to pastors in need. The Lord carried her through sickness and hardships, blessing her and many others through her work. Because of Christ’s faithfulness, Susannah Spurgeon’s legacy still affects many today. • Sarah Nazir

• If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, believing in His death and resurrection, the Holy Spirit lives in us, giving us strength and comfort. Throughout the hardships in her life, Susannah knew the Lord’s love and trusted His strength to carry her through. Have you ever felt like the Lord’s strength was carrying you through a difficult time? What was that like?

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26 (NIV)