Is your church ready to respond to LGBTQ+? Any member of a local congregation can choose to participate to some extent in the LGBTQ+ mindset and culture. When this comes to light, the leadership of many churches realize that they are (or have been) unprepared to address either the issues, the strugglers, or their families. In today’s episode, Joan McConnell offers the puzzle pieces for building a church's biblical response to these issues. Check out more Harvest USA resources related to the church and LGBTQ+ below. Resources on Same-Sex Attraction: https://harvestusa.org/how-we-help/same-sex-attraction/ Resources on Transgenderism: https://harvestusa.org/how-we-help/transgenderism/ Resources for parents with a struggling child: https://harvestusa.org/how-we-help/a-struggling-child/ Resources on biblical sexuality: https://harvestusa.org/how-we-help/biblical-sexuality/ Have a family member struggling with sexual sin? It is our desire to come alongside you with biblical truth, fellowship, and prayer for what can be a difficult and long journey. Check out our parents and family support groups: https://harvestusa.org/get-help-for-yourself/parents-families/
Why do I do the things I do even when I want to stop? This question is asked often in our ministry at Harvest USA, and for women struggling with sexual sin, this question can be deeply painful. But there is gospel hope! In today’s episode, Caitlin McCaffrey (Director of Women’s Ministry) helps us address our behavior without falling into despair. She then examines behavior from a biblical perspective that provides real hope for change. Finally, she shows us how our union with Christ is the true foundation of our identity. This episode features Session Two of our brand new video course “Transforming Love: Women, Sexual Struggles, and Help in Christ”. If you were encouraged by today's lesson and want to continue on this discipleship journey, you can sign up for the entire course for free at the link below! Sign up for Transforming Love: harvestusa.org/courses/transforming-love/ Explore other Harvest USA courses: harvestusa.org/courses/
Nocturnal emissions, or wet dreams, are not something we frequently talk about, but they’re common experiences that leave people feeling ashamed and confused. Did they sin in their sleep and need to repent? Should they confess to a friend or mentor? How should Christians think about all of this? Mark Sanders examines this issue from a biblical perspective in today’s episode. Along the way, he explores how our hearts and bodies interact, and offers practical ways to pray if we’re struggling with frequent nocturnal emissions. Read the original article on our website.
Where do you find hope when your child may be considered an unlikely convert? In today’s episode, Joy Worrell walks us through the Bible, sharing stories that illustrate the truth that our God is mighty to save unlikely converts. You can read the original article on our website.
Truth and error cannot coexist. Parents who hold firmly to Christ’s truth, even when their children embrace an LGBTQ+ identity, will experience the consequences of that commitment. Christ told us in Matthew and Luke that we shouldn’t be surprised when truth and error collide and even the closest family ties are affected. He says fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law will be divided against each other because of the truth. In today’s episode, Joy Worrell offers hope and encouragement for parents facing the difficult reality that truth divides. Browse our resources for parents. Do you have a struggling child? Consider getting help from our Parents & Family Ministry. You can read the original article on our website.
What do women experience as a result of sexual sin? How does Jesus respond to broken women? How can we respond to Jesus? Today’s episode features the first session from our brand new video course “Transforming Love: Women, Sexual Struggles, and Help in Christ”. Taught by Ellen Mary Dykas and Caitlin McCaffrey, this self-paced course offers encouragement, practical wisdom, and hope in Jesus Christ for your struggle with sexual sin. We hope you're helped by today’s lesson. To get access to the full course, register for free at the link below. Register for Transforming Love
In her article “Women Are Struggling Too: The Sobering Statistics and How to Respond”, Caitlin McCaffrey writes “Single evangelical women are potentially the demographic most rapidly abandoning a biblical sexual ethic in churches today.” In today’s episode, Keith Seary shares why these truths are challenging and how men also share some of the blame. He then offers four key truths to encourage single evangelical women to remain steadfast to the Lord and four charges to evangelical men to better serve and encourage the single women God has placed in their lives. Read the original article on our website.
Have you been in a dating relationship that made you ask, “How far is too far?” When it comes to physical affection, this can be a loaded question and we are tempted toward extremes: shame and conscience-binding directives on one hand and vague “anything goes” counsel on the other. We need the Bible’s wisdom as it addresses sex and relationships. Today, Ellen Dykas shares three biblical truths that unpack what loving physical affection might look like when you’re romantically involved with someone but not married to them. Check out our resources on singleness and dating. Explore the profound mystery of God’s design for sex: God, You & Sex: A Profound Mystery by David White You can read the original article on our website.
When sexual infidelity crashes into a marriage, hurting wives need the gospel too. Something is off when a repentant or unrepentant husband receives 90% of the pastoral energy, care, and attention, while a devastated, often traumatized wife is left on her own to navigate world-rocking circumstances. In today’s episode, Ellen Mary Dykas shares a case study that illustrates the challenge betrayed wives face as the church responds to her husband’s sexual sin. She then offers several ways pastors can live out the gospel with hurting wives without sacrificing the worthy time and energy that husbands need in their battle against sexual sin. Is your heart breaking over the revelation of your husband’s sexual sin? We want to help. Alongside the resources available on our website, Harvest USA offers one-on-one discipleship and support group ministry to wives navigating sexual betrayal. Help and resources for spousal unfaithfulness. (Curriculum) Jesus and Your Unwanted Journey: Wives Finding Comfort After Sexual Betrayal (Book) When Your Husband Is Addicted to Pornography: Healing Your Wounded Heart Read the original article on our website.
When cultural stereotypes are packaged, baptized, and sold as biblical masculinity, it creates a whole world of confusion, pressure, and pain for boys who don’t fit that mold. These boys may feel alienated in Christian circles, eventually seeking community and belonging outside the community of faith. The culture stands ready to tell them they might be gay—or maybe even girls. Whether you are a father, minister, or mentor, what does faithful discipleship look like for a boy who doesn’t fit the mold? What does he need from you? You can read the original article on our website.