Here are some questions I might use to get my Sabbath School class started on the discussion of this week's lesson:

1. As far as sex is concerned, what was God's original plan?

2. Generally, what are the ways Satan has perverted this gift? How can God help us counter his attacks?

I am due to teach this lesson in a class of very senior citizens. How am I going to talk about sex to people who are either widows, old ladies who could care less about sex anymore, or men who can no longer salute anymore Viagra notwithstanding?

Gerry

Gerry, how about discussing intimacy instead? Focus on the fact that physical sex just one expression of intimacy, and that the delights of genuine intimacy in heart and mind between two people continues to give pleasure and joy in their relationship long after any individual interest in, or capacity for, sexual activity is diminished or gone.

Just an idea ... probably a dumb one ... I dunno ...

Not a dumb idea at all Nico. The intimacy persists and adds joy to life for the couples with a good relationship.

In the course of my work I often need to ask about whether a couple are still sexually active and whether there are any problems - with the view to my offering some simple remedies if applicable. The responses are interesting - probably the majority are not into the 70s, some women are just relieved that they do not have fulfil a duty any more, a few make the comment that they still have a very good relationship, they are mates or very good friends.

I think your suggestion on the approach for the lesson most apt.

It's funny, Nan ... of course at 41 I'm nowhere near an "old" lady ... but as much as I once really REALLY enjoyed sex (probably TOO much), I'm finding that I really REALLY enjoy being celibate now. It's not a struggle at all; in fact, it's somewhat of a relief to me. One less thing I have to fuss around over.

Thanks, Nico & Nan. I've been thinking about the same thing. Intimacy when the sex is gone.

Gerry

"To everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven"?

Nico I gather you have some major and exciting plans for the coming months, and I guess being able to focus on them without distraction is good for you at this time.

(I have some thoughts on the "enjoy sex too much" theme but wont go there now. )

WARNING:

OOPS!

I discussed last week's lesson here by mistake. Please excuse the error.

But I didn't want to delete this post, because then it would appear to have been -- maybe -- "something dirty" ...!

Sorry.

Please forgive.

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The way I read this week's lesson, the topic of sex and marital intimacy occupies only 1/7 of the lesson (well, the way the quarterly lays it out, it occupies only one day's [Sunday's] lesson). There's also a lot about parent/child relationships.... So sex really need not consume the whole discussion.

But to me, marriage/sex/fidelity all lend themselves beautifully to a discussion of our intimacy with God. Since He created in us the ability to love, and to become one with, another human being, and to MAKE CHOICES, we now have some small understanding of what it should be like to become one with Christ in a truly bonded relationship. We eagerly look forward to Sabbaths, our "date" with Him; we read His "letters" to us [the Bible] daily; we look for His hand in nature; we choose NOT to partake in activities which are corrupt; and we constantly speak of God's blessings to us. In other words, we flourish in His love. And when He returns to take us home to live with Him, we'll experience the fulfillment of all our longings!

I believe the sexual act is only such a small [but beautiful!] part of the entire perfect love relationship that it need not be a difficult topic to discuss. Even with persons who may never have married. Because everybody has loved somebody deeply, at one time or another in their lives.

Yeah this threw me for a moment ... SSL #6 is (has been) this PAST week's lesson; hence it will be the one discussed in SS tomorrow morning (at least around these parts...); SSL #7 is the study for NEXT week which begins in the quarterly with tomorrow.

Thanks, Jeannie, for those thoughts. I struggle somewhat with teaching these lessons to my class of ladies who are all alone, and usually try to look for something that will connect us with our relationship with God. In a way, it is a pity the suthor did not put something about that, too, because some of my ladies have lost interest in their daily study because, as they say, "there is northing here for me".

Beryl