Beyond the Weekend

January 30 | Counter-Cultural Sexuality

January 30, 2023

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. 1 Peter 2:11-12

Read: 1 Peter 2:11-17
Listen:
1 Peter 2

TODAY’S MESSAGE

Peter tells his Roman audience (see 1 Peter 3:15), “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” The implication is that living in a God-created way should lead people to ask questions. Earlier in the letter, Peter outlines that sexuality is one specific area where they are called to live in a counter-cultural way. The Roman culture was highly sexualized and permissive. So, if the early Jesus-followers lived the way God called them to, they would stand out.

Our culture is similar in this regard. Its sexual ethic isn’t centered on the Bible or how God created us. Just like the people Peter is writing to, following a sexual ethic outlined in the Bible will stand out today. Combined with the gracious love of Jesus—people just might want to ask us questions.

We can stand out and point to Jesus through how we approach our sexuality and treat others. This week, we look more at Peter’s words to believers. May our gracious God give us wisdom as we navigate this message in our lives, and may we understand what it means to be a counter-cultural light pointing to Jesus.

IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY

Being counter-cultural is not easy, and we can’t do it on our own. We need the power and wisdom of God. Spend a few minutes today praying to God for wisdom and openness this week. Ask God to help you to grow as you engage with the message from Peter.


2023 SPIRITUAL PRACTICES

Join us all of 2023 developing a different spiritual practice each month. SPIRITUAL PRACTICES are intentional regular activities to deepen our relationship with God and mold us to be more like Jesus.

January is BIBLE READING. Keep track of our spiritual practices at beyondtheweekend.org/spiritualpractices.

SPIRITUAL PRACTICES TIP: There can be great power in hearing God’s words. Use a Bible app to play an audio version of your Bible reading, or try reading it out loud yourself. Listening to the Word engages your brain in different ways. Try playing or reading it out loud more than once and see what you notice each time.


Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.

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