The 13 Topics

The following are the 13 topics an Identity Project group will discuss. For each topic, we include goals, discussion questions around sexuality and gender identity and practical ways to live out the biblical worldview.

1 Why Talk about Sex? 

In the first session, we discuss various views of sex and how it’s defined and then ask why so many young people are focused on sex and sexual identity. We discuss what kind of values the culture teaches about sex and how the biblical view of sex provides a better understanding of how our sexuality and identity are designed. 

2 What is Identity?

In this session, we examine what is meant by identity and what determines identity (race, gender, sexuality, faith, age, marriage, wider relationships, etc.). We emphasize the point that we may not choose our race or sexual attractions, but we can choose not to make those aspects of our lives into our core identities. This session shows that not all identities are equal in impact or importance.

3 What is Male and Female?

In this session, we ask what is “male” and “female.”  We also discuss why so many downplay the differences. In contrast, we look at how the Bible defines masculinity and femininity in relationship to each other and with God, not as independent identities. The biblical view teaches that both men and women reflect God’s image. We also discuss how the definition of male should be expanded to include every man and female to include every woman.

4 Defining Gender

In this session, we define gender and discuss why so many want to make this their core identity. We talk about the role feelings should play in defining ourselves, and whether or not feelings are more important than facts. We also ask what role society, and ultimately God, has in determining our identity.

5 The Reason for Sexuality

This session builds on the previous lessons and explores the purpose of our gender differences. We discuss, “What is sexuality?” and “What role our faith should play in shaping our sexual identity?” This helps us explore the central question of the Identity Project: “Should sexuality shape our identity?”

6 What is Love?—The Four Loves

This session gives us another way of looking at love. We respond to the claim that ‘love is love’ by showing how God designed us for four kinds of love: Storge, Philia, Eros and Agape. Each type of love is essential to human flourishing, but they are not interchangeable; they meet different needs. Finally, we address why culture has sexualized all forms of love, drastically impacting how we love each other. 

7 Exploring the Meaning and Purpose of Marriage

In this session, we discuss God’s special plan for marriage and its importance in building societies and people. We discuss how alternatives to marriage (polygamy, same-sex marriage) cannot compare to what opposite-sex marriage can do.

8 Singleness

This session covers the issue of singleness. We talk about how God calls some people to be single and how they have a role to play in church and society. We also discuss how single people can handle sexual desires according to a biblical worldview.

9 What is Sexual Integrity?

This session follows the previous sessions and looks at problems associated with pre-marital sex and extra-marital sex by discussing definitions of consent and integrity. We discuss what constitutes sex and why celibacy outside of marriage is a good part of God’s design.

10 Pornography—Does it Hurt Anyone?

In this session, we examine lust vs love vs attraction. We discuss what pornography is, and how it divorces sexual pleasure from relationships. We also discuss how it destroys the importance of relationships by turning people (especially women) into objects for pleasure, thereby fostering human trafficking. 

11 Pornography—Can you be Addicted?

This session covers the growing problem of pornography addiction. We discuss why any addiction, even to good things, can become sin. This session also examines pornography’s invasion of daily life and what the inner world of the addict looks like. Finally, we discuss why our bodies and the bodies of others, should be valued as God’s creation, not as objects.

12 Homosexuality—Defining “Gay”

In this session, we look at the many ways we understand what the word, “gay” means, particularly what kind of identity it offers. We also discuss the origins of the words “homosexual” and “heterosexual.” We answer the question, “Does same-sex attraction mean you’re gay?”

13 Loving Our LGBT Neighbours

In our last session, we discuss how we can show God’s love to our friends who deal with same-sex attraction and gender identity issues. This includes an acknowledgement that Christians have mistreated their LGBT neighbours. The session also explores ways to have conversations with others who disagree with the Biblical view of sexuality.