The Center for Faith, Sexuality, and Gender - https://www.centerforfaith.com/

• This center is guided largely by an author named Preston Sprinkle. He is a solid Christian man, but certainly not afraid to have hard conversations or learn from those different from him. His website has a ton of resources. 
• One heads up - this ministry takes an approach very focused on maintaining the relationship with your child and erring toward love (while still holding to a traditional, solid understanding of the Bible's truth about sexuality). 
• Parenting Resources - https://ondemand.centerforfaith.com/courses/parenting-lgbtq-kids
• Resource for teens - https://christian-sexuality.com/

Trust the Circle: Understanding God's Design for Sex, Gender, and Sexuality, by Ryan Smith 

• https://www.trustthecircle.com/topics
• This website and book are primarily based on the ministry of Oklahoma pastor, Ryan Smith. The resources lean a little more "traditional" than do the ones from the Center for Faith, Sexuality, and Gender above; but both ministries provide very helpful content.
• Trust the Circle helpfully summarizes a Christian approach to sexuality and gender. 

Sexuality and the Gospel - Jackie Hill Perry with Preston Sprinkle on the Theology in the Raw podcast - https://theologyintheraw.com/podcast/1011-sexuality-and-the-gospel-jackie-hill-perry/ 

• This podcast is a great starting point for those who prefer to listen, rather than read. 
• Jackie summarizes many points from her book below, and she has a very authentic conversation with Preston about how God has worked in her life. They discuss some difficult topics; and even if you disagree with a few of their conclusions, the conversation overall is solid. 

Is God anti-gay? (Questions Christians Ask), by Sam Allberry

7 Myths about Singleness, by Sam Allberry

Gay Girl, Good God: The Story of Who I Was, and Who God Has Always Been, by Jackie Hill Perry

Messy Grace: How a Pastor with Gay Parents Learned to Love Others without Sacrificing Conviction, by Caleb Kaltenbach

The Case against the Sexual Revolution, by Louise Perry

3 Myths about Marriage that Americans Still Believe - https://erlc.com/resource-library/articles/3-myths-about-marriage-americans-still-believe/

Collection of Articles about Divorce and Remarriage - https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/course/marriage-divorce-remarriage/#remarriage 

• This collection of articles and resources is helpful because several different views are presented on the subject of remarriage after divorce.
• Before you read the articles, be sure to pay attention to which viewpoint is being presented and defended.
• The articles at the bottom of the page mention a sermon from Michael P. Andrus. That article is broken, but the sermon PDF is available at https://www.firstfreewichita.org/download/328.

The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God, by Timothy Keller

Fences? No. Boundaries? Yes.

• Marriage has design and boundaries.
• Tension = where to draw the boundaries. 
• Slogans in Culture; Widespread acceptance of homosexuality and the sexual revolution
• Hypocrisy in the church (related to divorce, pornography, lust, adultery) is a real problem. 

Biblical Foundation for Marriage

• Genesis 1:26-27
• Genesis 2:18, 24-25
• Genesis 3:6
• Marriage in the Old Testament
• Procreation (Genesis, onward)
• Pleasure (Song of Solomon)
• Picture of God’s love for Israel
• Brokenness of adultery, divorce, multiple marriages
• Marriage in the New Testament
• Key people not married (Jesus!!)
• Picture of Christ and His Church
• Church had to address sexual sin
• Marriage is a Key Theme in the final pages of Revelation 
• Marriage Across the Bible
• Commanded in Genesis
• Expected in OT
• Permitted (Encouraged) in NT
• Fulfilled in New Creation – “no longer given in marriage” (Matt. 22:30)

Divorce and Remarriage in Mark 10

• Background of Deuteronomy 24:1-4
• Divorce is a Concession, not a Demand
• Context of Mark 10
• John the Baptist confronting divorce of Herod Antipas
• Differing views of School of Shammai and School of Hillel
• Jesus focused on God’s Design and Gospel
• Permission for Divorce? (Matthew 19; 1 Corinthians 7)
• Adultery
• Abandonment
• Abuse

*Reconciliation / Repentance = goals. 

*Requires spiritual wisdom and faith.

Affirm and Strengthen Marriage

• How we speak about marriage matters! (starts from a young age)
• Reach out quickly for support
• Invest in your marriage and others
• Remember meaning / purposes

Mourn and Heal from Divorce

• “Mingle the call to obedience with the tears of compassion.” - Storms
• Recover / Heal (Gospel; church)
• Pursue remarriage cautiously, with personal study and conscience

What about Homosexuality? 

• “Jesus never said anything about homosexuality.” 
• He reaffirmed God’s design for marriage AND singleness.
• He fulfilled the Law of God.
• “Love is love.” 
• Love isn’t only sexual or marital.
• Same-sex love IS a good thing.
• ‘For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments.’ - 1 John 3:5
• “The church was wrong about slavery and civil rights as well.” 
• Both Scripture and science portray these issues differently.
• *The Secular Creed - Rebecca McLaughlin

Homosexuality and the Gospel

• Homosexuality is set alongside other sins in Scripture.
• Romans 1:18-32
• 1 Timothy 1:8-17
• 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
• Value people; disagree w/ decisions
• Ask questions; listen; learn 
• Affirm marriage AND singleness
• Proclaim and Display Jesus

6 Prayers

1. For Forgiveness of Sexual Sin
2. For Healing after Divorce
3. For Hope in Marriage
4. For Strength in Singleness
5. For Wisdom in Conversations
6. For Salvation