I was on iTunes this morning looking for some music and found the titles for the “Top 10″ downloads on iTunes somewhat amusing.  The titles include songs about hooking up with aliens (E.T. by Katy Perry) and other things that involve two letters (S&M by Rihanna).  Of course, who can’t snap their fingers to crooners Jeremih and 50 Cent’s romancing duet, Down on Me?  To be clear, I don’t think all secular music is bad, but I can’t help but chuckle at the eleventy-billion ways our culture has found ways to talk about sex, without calling it sex.  And you thought your parent’s metaphors when you had “the talk” or your school-teacher’s “birds and the bees” was a terrible explanation?  E.T.?  Really, America?  That’s got to be the worst metaphor I’ve heard of in my life.  But I digress…

Over the next three weeks at TheCity, we’re going to take a break from Philippians and talk with high school students about Love, Sex, and Dating.  No catchy slogans, no bracelets or rings, no awkward metaphors…just love, sex, and dating.  At the end of each week, I’ll do a Q&A Session where you and your friends can anonymously ask any question pertaining to the topic, and I will answer it.  Here’s the deal, I’m not going to tell you that talking to girls will result in pregnancy or that God sheds a tear every time you think about something inappropriate.  Instead, we’ll look at the issues dead-on, have fun, laugh a lot, and remember that it’s all about Jesus.

See you this Wednesday at 6:30 for hanging out and food, 7:00 for D-Groups, and 7:30 for awesome music and a message.

I have recently finished two “Ask Anything” Q&A sessions that have opened my eyes to a lot of the current questions and issues that high school students struggle with.  A lot of the questions enter areas that are shaded gray–the Bible doesn’t have a direct answer, people have divided opinions, and there are some tough circumstances that make giving a pat answer difficult.  Culture tends to answer gray areas by providing these questions:

• Is it legal?
• What are the chances of being caught?
• How do you feel?

The sad part is that many of these questions don’t help people make long-term decisions that they later won’t regret, and more importantly the choices we make just don’t impact the individual but everyone around us.  Divorce doesn’t just impact one person, it hurts a family.  Porn doesn’t impact a person, it hurts future intimacy.  Going into debt doesn’t just affect you, it it impacts the entire economy (just ask neighbors who live in areas with a lot of foreclosures and bank-owned homes).

Instead of using culture’s questions, we should ask this one instead (thanks, Andy Stanley):

In light of my past experiences, current responsibilities, and future hopes and dreams–what is the wise thing to do?

I preached this weekend on John 1:35-51, and the big idea was that the difference between a significant and mediocre life is how we respond to God-given opportunity.  When we use Andy’s phrase to live our life, then we can begin tackling the shades of gray that exist.  Should I go to that college? Should I date that person?  How far is too far?  Should I buy that car?  Should I switch to that job?

The answer is always found in asking this simple question–what is the wise thing to do?

To see where this comes from in the Bible, check out Ephesians 5:15-17.

Collin Outerbridge is one of the pastors of Vista Church in Orlando, FL.  He provides oversight to local and global mission, student ministries, and MissionCity-Vista’s Church Planting Initiative.  For more information, check out www.vistachurch.com or www.collinouterbridge.org