Introduction

  A. The LGBTQ people- is it possible to lead them to Christ through the New Testament gospel?

   1. Many preachers/evangelists would prone on the idea and plan of leading these people to Christ.

   2. But what does God's word ( the Bible) say about preaching to the LGBTQ community? Let us find out, John 8:32

 B. The approach in this lesson will be as follows:

  1. Definitions of Terms ( LGBTQ group)

  2. Reasons for Leading Them to Christ and His church

  3. Strategies/Techniques in Leading Them to Christ

Discussion

 A.Definitions of Terms- the LGBTQ group

  1. The simple definitions are as follows:

     a. Lesbian- a gay woman; female homosexual; attraction to girls, women

     b. Gay- a male homosexual; attraction to boys and men

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    c. Bisexual- a person attracted sexually or romantically to either male or female; and/or both genders

    d.Transgender/ Trans-sexual- a person who has been transformed medically/ scientifically from male to female; from female to male

   e. Queer- often a slur; one who is determining his/ her sexual orientation or gender identity

  B.Reasons for Leading Them to Christ/ to His church

   1. The story of the Ethiopian Eunuch found in Acts 8:26-40 is proof that such kind of people can be led to Christ

    a. Eunuch is one who has been castrated purposely to remove his sexual desire for the opposite sex

      - they are to watch " harems" of kings and nobles

      - their voices change so they can sing higher musical notes

     b. an angel of the Lord led Phillip to the eunuch who was reading Isaiah

     c. Believing the gospel preached by Phillip, the eunuch requested to be baptized right away

     d. after his immersion, the Holy Spirit led Phillip to another place

  2. Jesus said " I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance,"Luke 5:32

  3. The gospel is for all who will believe- to the Jews first and then the Gentiles

    a. Romans 1:16

    b. Mark 16:16

    c. Matthew 28:19-20

  4. Paul said, " There is no Jew nor Greek, slave or free, male or female, for you are all one in Christ," Galatians 3:28

  5. Jesus warned against using slurs on any kind of person

   a. Matthew 5:22- use of " raca" ( rakkah)

   b. a feminine form " to be weak, soft or tender"

   c. equivalent to calling someone "sissy!"

C.Strategies in Leading the LGBTQ people to Christ

  1. See them as ordinary persons, not as part of the LGBTQ group

    - be willing to listen to them

    - be understanding to them

  2. Be patient and forgiving towards them

     - penetrate their protective shell

     - extra grace to build relationship

  3. Don't over focus on their sexuality but on their being made in God's image

     - Genesis 1:26 " let us make man in OUR image, after OUR likeness..."

  4. Point them to Jesus as Paul said in Philippians 4:13

      - " do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

  5. Do not expect to know all the answers

     - you are not an expert

    - accept your own limitations

  6. Be open about your own needs and struggles

     - Jesus asked water from the Samaritan woman

      - then He offered her the " living water"

   7. Give hope for something spiritually better

      - be the bearer of good news (gospel)

      " be faithful till death and I will give you the crown of life," Revelation 2:10

    8. Pray for them in honest, sincere and persistent manner

      - prayer changes things

      - Matthew 21:22 " whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith."

      - Mark 11:24 " whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours."

Conclusion

 A. The story of the woman caught in adultery in John 8:3-11 teaches us that we should be wise in dealing with sinners/ social outcasts.

   1. seemly trapped, Jesus extricated Himself by saying " let the sinless one among you be the first to stone her," v.7

   2. Jewish law authorized stoning to death,  Deuteronomy 22:22-24, but Roman forbade Jews to carry out death penalty

   3. "Has no one condemned you?" No one. Neither do I condemn you; go and SIN no more, John 8:10-11

  B. God instructed Peter " not to call anyone unclean or impure," Acts 10:28

   1. John 3:16." For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but shall have eternal life."

   2. It is our duty to preach the gospel which is God's power to salvation, Romans 1:16

   3. Christ is calling you now to come to Him to have spiritual rest, Matthew 11:28-30