We’re in a series called More Than Animals, where we're exploring the unique aspects of being human. Today’s topic is Monogamy.

Monogamy
In our current culture, everything is sexualized. It’s pervasive on social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and various dating apps. They elevate sex to a level it doesn’t deserve. Our vocabulary even reflects this overemphasis on sex. For example, I once used the term "hookup" in a sermon, and everyone gasped.

Sin sexualizes everything it touches.
We teach our kids an illusion of thoughtless freedom with the idea that if we can’t stop them, we should at least teach them safe sex. But we need a higher standard. Parents, it’s crucial to talk to your kids about sex earlier than you think necessary. By fifth grade, they already know about it. I recommend a practical guide:

Sex is dangerous, but it's good.
There's tremendous power in sex, and kids aren't ready for that much power. But this doesn’t mean sex is bad. Only God could have created the pleasures of sex. From an evolutionary perspective, reproduction could be just a mechanical exchange of bodily fluids. But for humans (and maybe dolphins), sex isn’t just an urge. It’s a gift.

God created sex.
Sex is morally good. A sinless life is not a sexless life. Coming out of youth group, I thought sex was evil. It’s not. But God did put parameters on sex. I don’t expect non-Christians to follow these, but here are some Biblical parameters for sex:

1. One Marriage: The ideal is that divorce is never necessary. God wants your marriage to last forever. While we believe in forgiveness, God does hate divorce.
2. Two People: Be creative in the bedroom, but don’t bring others into it. Make a lifelong marriage commitment before having sex.
3. Make Babies: This largely explains why two different genders are necessary in a sexual relationship. If you can't have babies, you can still have sex, but we're talking about God's ideal.

Why did God create sex?

1. To Make Disciples: Sex literally makes disciples. The primary way Christianity grows is by having kids and teaching them to love God. Christians, we’re not doing enough of this. Throughout Scripture, God says:

   Genesis 9:1: "Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth."

   On making babies, the Bible is not unbiased. Have lots of babies. Our culture discourages large families and calls them irresponsible, which is absurd. If you can't have babies, adopt.

   Psalm 127:4-5: "Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior’s hands. How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them!"

2. To Strengthen Relationships: Sex builds intimacy between a husband and wife that goes beyond the bedroom. Humans are the only "animals" that have sex face-to-face because it helps build healthy relationships.
3. To Reflect God’s Image: When a man and a woman have sex, they become a new person. This is why the Church is called the bride of Christ. When a man and woman are united, they reflect God’s image.

   Genesis 2:24-25: "A man leaves his father