Running the Race: Overcoming Sexual Lusts

Joining In

1. The Big ChallengeSeries introduction and call to run
2. Your NumberWhere do I stand in the race?
3. Can’t Make It?Hope for those who feel defeated
4. Two DecisionsTwo paths before the struggler
5. My Broken TrophyGod restores broken lives
6. Let’s Run for ItThe seriousness of training
7. Chains BrokenSpiritual battle and God’s promises
8. The PlanThree steps toward winning

Getting in Shape

1. Getting in ShapeMain section introduction
2. Get Ready!Preparing for the big race
3. The Training ProcessA spiritual checkup
4. The First StepBegin with honesty
5. 1 • The StrugglerRecognizing the battle
6. 2 • The SingedLearning from serious compromise
7. 3 • The SingerA heart turning toward God
8. 4 • The Self-ControlledGrowth toward stability
9. Congratulations!Encouragement for progress
10. Making a CommitmentA decisive response

Your Trainers

1. Your TrainersThose God uses to help
2. Meet Your CoachesMeeting your helpers
3. Coach FFirst coach lesson
4. Coach HSecond coach lesson
5. Coach LThird coach lesson

Distance Training

1. Distance TrainingLearning endurance
2. Running with OthersTraining with support
3. Training ObstaclesFacing resistance
4. Training EncouragementKeep going
5. Course OverviewReview and direction
6. Course ReviewCheck your progress

Course Overview

1. Course OverviewWhere the course goes next
2. Ready to ContinueMoving toward the line

Readying the Mind

1. Readying the MindMain section introduction
2. Down and Up: Is There Hope?Hope for real change
3. Learning WellHow to learn the course
4. Two Perspectives on SexualityCompeting viewpoints
5. Try Out This PuzzleTraining the mind
6. Gaining ConfidenceConfidence in God’s path
7. Perspective on PleasurePleasure and God’s design
8. Designs Are to StudyStudying God’s design
9. Expert ProceduresWise steps forward
10. Design and FreedomFreedom through design

Mastering the Course

1. Mastering the CourseMain section introduction
2. #1 A Special Design: SexualityGod’s design for sexuality
3. Life Applications of SexualityApplying God’s design
4. #2 A Blended Design: MarriageMarriage as God’s design
5. Partner ConfusionConfusion about partners
6. Being an OvercomerOvercoming patterns
7. Escaping HomosexualityFinding help and freedom
8. Homosexual TendenciesDealing with tendencies
9. #3 An Exclusive Design: Whole-heartedWhole-hearted devotion
10. Loving One’s WifeExclusive love
11. What If...? QuestionsAnswering questions
12. #4 A Permanent Design: EnduringEnduring love
13. Permanent DesignPermanence and purity
14. Questions and AssessmentCourse assessment

Deciding to Win

1. Deciding to WinMain section introduction
2. Gaining a Feel for WinningWhy purity matters
3. What Is Marriage Designed For?The purpose of marriage
4. The Relevance of MarriageWhy marriage still matters
5. Source of LoveLove’s source in God
6. Questions of LoveLearning to love rightly
7. Love Overcomes LustGod’s love as the answer
8. Inner FulfillmentThe better satisfaction
9. The Choice of FulfillmentChoosing God’s provision
10. Problems of FulfillmentFalse sources exposed
11. Sources of FulfillmentWhere the heart is filled
12. Questions of FulfillmentReview and reflection
13. Fulfillment Overcomes LonelinessLoneliness and purity
14. Forever SecureSecurity in God’s design
15. Choosing SecurityStanding in security

Off We Go

1. Running the RaceMain section introduction
2. Our Three Coaches’ Timeless AdviceHelp for the race
3. Two Approaches to LifeTwo ways forward
4. Why Do I Still Lust?Understanding ongoing battle
5. What About Being Single?Singles and purity
6. Purity in SinglenessThe Lord’s expectations
7. Single Life NoteShort supporting page
8. From Lust to LoveReplacing lust with love

Confession and Forgiveness

1. Picking Up the MessWhat to do after failure
2. Gaining God’s ForgivenessReturn to God
3. The Importance of ConfessionWhy confession matters
4. Steps Involved in ConfessionHow to confess
5. Renewing a Relationship with GodConfession and renewal
6. Importance of ConfessionFurther help
7. Steps of ConfessionPractical confession steps
8. Confession’s Two ResultsWhat confession produces
9. Confessional PrayerTurning to God in prayer
10. Confession ChartA tool for honesty
11. Forgiving a Person and SelfForgiveness introduction
12. What If I Don’t Forgive?Facing bitterness
13. What Is Forgiveness Anyway?Clarifying forgiveness
14. What Are the 7 Steps to Seek Forgiveness?Practical steps
15. How to Seek ForgivenessApplying the steps
16. Forgiveness in PracticeLearning to forgive
17. When Forgiveness Is DifficultAdditional help
18. Consequences of Not ForgivingWarning and help
19. Forgiving OurselvesDealing with self-condemnation

Learning from Past Patterns

1. Exercise: Learn From Past PatternsPattern review
2. Personal Life ChartsCharting life patterns
3. What Can I Learn from My Victories?Learning from wins
4. Charting Your PastSpiritual life chart
5. Testing Our ConvictionsTest what you believe
6. Strengthening Our ConvictionsGrow stronger convictions

Convictions and Priorities

1. True Success Is Based On...Conviction summary
2. Identify Our Present ConvictionsKnow what guides you
3. A Little Closer to GodStandards and closeness
4. Rescheduling Life’s PrioritiesReorder life
5. ConvictionsStrengthen inward resolve
6. Running After JesusPursuing Christ
7. What Is More Important in Life?Priority review

Final Summary and Appendices

1. Final SummarySummary of the race
2. Appendix 1: Recovering Lost AffectionsRecovering the heart
3. Appendix 2: Handling Pornographic AttacksExtra help
4. Appendix 3: Redeeming a Walk on the BeachWalking in purity
5. Priority TestLife priority check
6. Recover Your Lost AffectionsRecovering lost affections in marriage

Main Resources

1. Book Page: Running the RaceBook page and related purchase/download information
2. D2: Intermediate DiscipleshipDiscipleship course context for this series
3. Marriage Course: Building a Great MarriageMarriage course and related resources
4. BFF Topical IndexBroader topical Bible study index

Appendix and Topical Articles

1. Handling Pornographic AttacksPractical help for surprise attacks
2. Redeeming a Walk: Avoiding LustsEnjoying God’s beauty without lust
3. Refocusing the MindAdvice for guarding thoughts
4. Safer Web PracticesPractical internet safeguards
5. The Ruins of Sexual ImmoralityHugh Hefner is no friend
6. Battling Sexual Immoralities/Relativism1 Corinthians 6:12–20