3-Day Bible Reading Plan: “Sex is a Gift and a Guard”

“In our culture, sex is often treated like a commodity. It is something you can trade to gain some advantage, whether financial or relational. Sex is traded to gain professional favors and control the power dynamic of a relationship. This transactional outlook on sex diminishes the value and beauty of the act itself and the players involved. Moreover, this perspective invites spiritual harm, opening the door for demonic oppression in our lives. Recognizing the profound spiritual implications of our choices surrounding sexuality is vital, as our intimate lives are often battlegrounds in which spiritual warfare is waged.” - Pastor Paul Crandell, 11/17/24

Day 1

• Featured Verse: 1 Corinthians 7:1-7

• The Purpose of Marriage: What is the primary purpose of marriage according to Paul's teaching in 1 Corinthians 7:1-7? Is it primarily for companionship, sexual fulfillment, or something else?

• Marital Abstinence: How should couples approach periods of marital abstinence? Is it permissible under certain circumstances, and if so, what are those circumstances?

• The Balance of Marital Rights: How does Paul address the balance of marital rights between husbands and wives in this passage? Does he advocate for equality or a specific hierarchy within the marriage relationship?

“Marriage is not merely a civil contract, a social arrangement, a physical union; it is more than all these. It is a divine ordinance, a mystical union, a type of the union between Christ and His Church.” - Charles Spurgeon

Day 2

• Featured Verse: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

• The Nature of Love: What is the essence of love as described by Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7? How does it differ from mere affection or infatuation?

• Love's Enduring Nature: How does the love described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 transcend time and circumstance? Does it remain constant, even in the face of adversity and change?

• The Role of Love in Christian Life: What is the significance of love in the Christian life, according to Paul's teaching? How does it shape our relationships with God and others?

“Love is the fulfilling of the law. It is the end of the commandment. It is the fulfilling of all righteousness. Love is the very essence of Christianity.” - Charles Spurgeon

Day 3

• Featured Verse: Ephesians 5:21-33

• The Nature of Submission: What does it mean for wives to submit to their husbands in the context of Ephesians 5:21-33? Does this imply a hierarchical relationship, or a mutual submission based on love and respect?

• The Role of Love in Marriage: How does love, as defined in 1 Corinthians 13, inform the marital relationship described in Ephesians 5:21-33? What are the implications of this love for the way husbands and wives relate to each other?

• The Significance of Christ's Love for the Church: How does the relationship between Christ and the Church serve as a model for the relationship between husbands and wives? What does this imply for the way husbands should love their wives?

“The church is the bride of Christ, and Christ is her bridegroom.” - Charles Spurgeon