Helping same sex attracted people

By Andrew Bunt

The importance of love : 

The real issue is about love and not sex. The world would tell us that sex is paramount whereas actually, it's love that we crave not sex. For people to know that they are loved is what really matters. Andrew said 'the more I know that I have people who love me and care for me, is the time my same sex attraction doesn't matter very much to me, and counterintuitively the closer I am to a guy who I know loves me and cares for me, the less likely it is that I will be attracted to him.'

The importance of identity :

Everything in our life is shaped by our identity. Truly understanding our identity is vital.

The importance of a big picture :

Scripture as story really matters. Seeing your life as part of the great story of the Bible and not simply swallowing a shallow gospel. It's only when we understand our sexuality within the story and see where it's all heading does our life make sense. SSA Christians need to know that big story.

The importance of talking :

Simple but powerful. To be same sex attracted can make you feel very fearful and isolated. Talking about it has the power to loosen the grip these things have on us. He experiences crushes like everyone else except that they are painful rather than exciting as he knows he'll never be able to act on it. Talking about it helps break the power of this too.

The importance of community : 

Similar to community but different enough that it's worth pointing it out. We have idolised the nuclear family at the detriment of community. Adam needed community, we need human relationship and community and so it is vital that we get this right. It must not be true in our churches that to be single is to be isolated and lonely. 

The importance of the Holy Spirit :

He helps us to live God's way, he points us to eternity and the wonderful new creation that's coming. It is the Holy Spirit who saves us and that means that it is just as likely for a deeply entrenched in the gay scene person to become a believer as it is for a nice middle class person to get saved.