Pronouns, Parenting, and Bathrooms

Thinking Clearly About Gender
Pronouns, Parenting, and Bathrooms
John 1:14

Ideas have consequences and bad ideas have victims

Harmful ideologies should be opposed, and falsehoods exposed.

Individuals should be valued as bearers of God’s image. They should be treated with love and respect.

Key Question: How do we faithfully live out the grace and truth of Jesus Christ in a world of conflicting worldviews and ideologies?

“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” (Matthew 10:16, ESV)

Some General Principles

1. Love rejoices in ____________________

“it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.” (1 Corinthians 13:6, ESV)

_________________________ is an act of love, but that does not mean it will always be received as loving

2. Love your _______________

“The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:31, ESV)

“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:12, ESV)

“The Golden Rule is not about merely protecting your neighbor’s preferences, but rather, advancing yourneighbor’s good.” Francis Beckwith

3. Don’t violate your God-shaped _______________

“For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” (Hebrews 8:10, ESV)

For a follower of Jesus Christ, our conscience is a vehicle God gives to direct us in the path of righteousness

4. Seek to live _______________

“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” (Romans 12:18, ESV)

Some Practical Matters 

1. Women’s Sports 
2. Bathrooms and Locker Rooms 
3. Parenting 
   • Be _______________ 
   • Be _______________ 
   • Be _______________  
4. Pronouns

Some Considerations: 

• The Bible as the supreme guide 
• The social context where the relationship is occurring 
• The depth of the relationship itself 

Some Principles:

• Context determines the level and type of engagement 
• Depth of relationship determines one’s authority to speak correctively 
• Our speech must be guided preeminently by Scripture 

Some Thoughts:

• Avoid if you can 
• Probably use preferred first name 
• Be honest in public 

Note: There is a huge difference between _____________ speech and _______________ speech

Sobering Reality:

No matter how wisely and sensitively we seek to walk, we must be prepared to _______________ the consequences for honoring our conscience and God’s Word

“And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” (Luke 9:23–24, ESV)

Key Question: How do we faithfully live out the grace and truth of Jesus Christ in a world of conflicting worldviews and ideologies?

“Regardless of the circumstances, the task of the Christian in society remains the same: love God, love your neighbor, and promote the truth of how God’s design is best for us and our neighbors.” Andrew T. Walker

Questions For Reflection

• How is God calling me to think differently? 
• How is God reordering my heart’s affections – what I love? 
• What is God calling me to do as I go into this week?

Ready to take your Next Step? 

• See Pastor Jeff after the service today 
• Fill out a Connect Card and drop it in the offering box 
• Text Next to 803-637-8484 
• Go to FBCFM.COM and click “Next Steps”