The Church — and Porn A Three-minute Bible Study Print, Study and Apply Title: The Church — and Porn Keyword: "Church” Welcome to eXXit, the web site designed to help you stand strong in the face of sexual temptation. The current studies explore the following premise: "If we want to behave Christianly, we've got to believe Christianly." Will the premise help us stand strong in the face of sexual temptation? Passages: Ephesians 4:4-6* 4. There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; 5. one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6. one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. Question According to the verses above, what do you, as a Christian, have in common with other Christians?   Practical help "What is the church?" — what a mix of responses you would get if you did "on the street" interviews with a dozen people, asking that one question. To many, church is a social club, to others an activist group. To some, church is a collection of hypocrites, to others a building. To some, church is a relic of a long gone age, to others a symbol of oppression. According to Scripture, though, the church is the group of people who meet together regularly for worship, service, and mission in the Name of Jesus. They may not do all that they do really well or to "have their stuff together." They simply come together to fulfill God's purposes under the banner of "Jesus is Lord." And, as they come together, they experience great oneness. Their oneness is a direct result of God's work in uniting them. They worship one Lord, hold to one faith, submit to one baptism. Thinking rightly about the church matters! People united for or against something are a force multiplier. Christians together can accomplish things that separately each one could never do. United groups of Christians bring strength to accomplish God's purposes. One of those purposes is that we would resist temptation. God intends that every Christian be vitally involved with other Christians. Separated from each other, we lack strength to stand strong against sexual temptation. Together, we can resist the urge toward pornography. Because of the truth of what the church is (see Ephesians 4:4-6), we can and must help each other out. If you are struggling with porn, one of the best "first steps" you can take is to involve yourself with a group of Christians who will help you by prayer and loving support. eXXit homepage Index of three-minute studies Copyright 2003 by eXXit *Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission. ----