Address Sexuality with Honor

Witness God’s work in our human experiences of sexuality, growing in your self-understanding and your empathy for others as you move forward in sexual discipleship.

  • Know how the Big Story of Jesus’ good news relates to human sexuality

  • Consider how that Big Story speaks to your own story

  • Grow in empathy for others in your community along their own journey of sexuality

  • Identify one next step you can take in your discipleship around sexuality

Play Your Way

Engage with the material in your context!

  • ~4 hour (self-paced)

    All your progress will be saved so you can resume where you left off.

  • Course Quicksheet (pdf)

    This is a quick summary of the material that you can use as a preview of the course or as a refresher once you’ve taken it.

  • Resource Toolbox

    See a list of the resources referenced in this course, all collected in one spot for your convenience.

Meet Your Instructors

Jess and Greg will be your guides throughout this course. You'll get to know them more in the course, but here's a little bit about them.
Jessica Pafumi
Jessica serves as InterVarsity’s Associate National Director of Discipleship & Leadership and Human Sexuality Resource Specialist. She is passionate about developing emerging leaders, cultivating diverse communities of belonging, and fostering Christ-centered hospitality that nurtures flourishing on campus and in local communities. She holds a master’s degree in Missiology from Fuller Seminary. Outside of ministry, Jessica can often be found hiking and exploring national parks in her Airstream with her Aussiedoodle, Maple.


Gregory Coles
Gregory is the author of Single, Gay, Christian and No Longer Strangers, both published by InterVarsity Press. He holds a PhD in English from Penn State and lives in Idaho's Treasure Valley, where he works as a writer and speaker. Greg also loves all things culinary and spent several years working at a bakery, where he once made 301 pounds of buttercream icing in a single day. 

Any Questions? Please reach out to Jessica Pafumi, InterVarsity/USA's , and our team at [email protected]

Course Curriculum

  • 1

    Chapter 1: Walking Together

    • Lesson 1: Meet Your Guides

    • Lesson 2: Before we begin...

    • Lesson 3: Inviting You Along for a Journey
  • 2

    Chapter 2: The Big Story of Human Sexuality

    • Lesson 1: What is God's Big Story?

    • Lesson 2: Defining Sexuality and Spirituality

    • Lesson 3: Looking at Sexuality through God's Big Story
  • 3

    Chapter 3: Designed for Desire (Circle 1)

    • Lesson 1: What Does It Mean to Be Designed for Desire?

    • Lesson 2: Made for Relationships

    • Lesson 3: Made for Intimacy
  • 4

    Chapter 4: Misdirected Desires (Circle 2)

    • Lesson 1: Warning Label

    • Lesson 2: What Does It Mean to Have Misdirected Desires in God's Big Story?

    • Lesson 3: Recognizing Misdirected Desires in Our Lives and around Us

    • Lesson 4: Application
  • 5

    Chapter 5: Restored Desires (Circle 3)

    • Lesson 1: What Is Jesus' Good News for Our Experience of Sexuality?

    • Lesson 2: Following Jesus' Way in Our Sexuality

    • Lesson 3: Stewarding Our Sexuality

    • Lesson 4: Our Response
  • 6

    Chapter 6: Desire Directed (Circle 4)

    • Lesson 1: How Can Our Desires Be Directed Towards God's Desires

    • Lesson 2: Missional Practice of Hospitality and Justice
  • 7

    Chapter 7: Now What?

    • Lesson 1: Devotion to God

    • Lesson 2: Course Review

    • Lesson 3: Concluding Remarks

    • Lesson 4: Before you go...

Resource Toolbox

All resources referenced from this course will be linked below for your convenience to view and download. Please adapt these resources to what works for you in your ministry context.


Worksheets

Understanding Human Sexuality and God's Big Story Quicksheet

(5-page pdf)

This is a quick summary of the material that you can use as a preview of the course or as a refresher once you've taken it!

Download

Leader's Guide

Understanding Human Sexuality and God's Big Story Leaders Guide

(50-page pdf)

Interested in guiding discussions on 'Understanding Human Sexuality and God's Big Story'? Access our detailed leader's guide with session breakdowns and pastoral guidance. 

Download

Articles, Books, & More

Building Trust with LGBTQ+ Students

(Ministry Library page)

These tips are designed to help you take the next step in making your community more welcoming and inclusive towards the LGBTQ+/SSA community. Here are 3 important things to know, 3 common mistakes to avoid, and 3 ideas to try.

Open

Decorative
LGBTQ+/SSA Ministry Resources

(5-page pdf)

These resources are offered with the hope of fostering thoughtful and compassionate conversation around sexuality. While InterVarsity may not fully endorse every perspective shared, we believe engaging with a variety of voices can deepen understanding and encourage meaningful dialogue.

Open

Decorative