Church at the Shores
March 30th - The Narrow Path - Reordering Our Desires
The Narrow Path series invites us to step into the radical teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, where we discover that the path to true life is often narrow and challenging but leads to an expansive, spacious life in God’s Kingdom.
Locations & Times
Church at the Shores
541 Cotton Creek Dr, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, USA
Friday 7:30 AM
WELCOME HOME
Welcome to Church at the Shores! Whether you’re looking to connect, watch a message, give, or share a message with a friend, visit www.churchattheshores.com. Everything you need is just a click away.
Service Times: 9am & 10:45am
Welcome to Church at the Shores! Whether you’re looking to connect, watch a message, give, or share a message with a friend, visit www.churchattheshores.com. Everything you need is just a click away.
Service Times: 9am & 10:45am
What's Happening - Upcoming Events
- Shores Women's Night - Wednesday, April 9th (6 pm - 7 pm)
- Good Friday - Friday, April 18th (6 pm - 7 pm)
- Easter Weekend - Saturday at 6 pm and Sunday at 9 am and 10:45 am
- Good Friday - Friday, April 18th (6 pm - 7 pm)
- Easter Weekend - Saturday at 6 pm and Sunday at 9 am and 10:45 am
Jesus knows most of us take the sin of adultery seriously, but we often don't take the desire behind it seriously enough.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH LUST?
Lust reduces a person from someone to love into something to use. It’s desire disconnected from real relationships.
Lust reduces a person from someone to love into something to use. It’s desire disconnected from real relationships.
PORNOGRAPHY STATISTICS
- Porn sites receive more monthly traffic than Netflix, Amazon, and Twitter combined.
- 35 percent of all internet downloads are porn-related.
- 34 percent of internet users have been exposed to unwanted porn via ads or pop-ups.
- 30 percent of all data transferred across the Internet is porn.
- According to one study, “teens and young adults rank not recycling as more immoral than viewing porn.”
- According to the largest porn site on the internet, 4 out of 10 people who visit their site are women.
- Porn sites receive more monthly traffic than Netflix, Amazon, and Twitter combined.
- 35 percent of all internet downloads are porn-related.
- 34 percent of internet users have been exposed to unwanted porn via ads or pop-ups.
- 30 percent of all data transferred across the Internet is porn.
- According to one study, “teens and young adults rank not recycling as more immoral than viewing porn.”
- According to the largest porn site on the internet, 4 out of 10 people who visit their site are women.
HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR THOSE STRUGGLING WITH PORNOGRAPHY
- Technology: https://www.covenanteyes.com/
- Website, Articles, and Tools: https://xxxchurch.com/
- Podcast for Couples: https://podcasts.focusonthefamily.com/show/no-porn-marriage/
- Books
Steps: A Guide to Transforming Your Life When Willpower Isn’t Enough by John Ortberg
Soul of Desire by Curt Thompson
Unwanted by Jay Stringer
- Counseling
Shores Counseling Center - www.churchattheshores.com
New Day Journey Counseling - https://newdayjourneycounseling.com/
- Technology: https://www.covenanteyes.com/
- Website, Articles, and Tools: https://xxxchurch.com/
- Podcast for Couples: https://podcasts.focusonthefamily.com/show/no-porn-marriage/
- Books
Steps: A Guide to Transforming Your Life When Willpower Isn’t Enough by John Ortberg
Soul of Desire by Curt Thompson
Unwanted by Jay Stringer
- Counseling
Shores Counseling Center - www.churchattheshores.com
New Day Journey Counseling - https://newdayjourneycounseling.com/
HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR PARENTS
- Technology: https://www.bark.us/
- Articles and Podcast: https://joshuastraub.com/
- Book:
The Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in Its Proper Place by Andy Crouch
How and When to Tell Your Kids about Sex: A Lifelong Approach to Shaping Your Child’s Sexual Character (God's Design for Sex) by Brenna Jones
It's Time to Talk to Your Kids About Porn: A Parent's Guide to Helping Children and Teens Develop Sexual Integrity by Greta Eskridge
- Technology: https://www.bark.us/
- Articles and Podcast: https://joshuastraub.com/
- Book:
The Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in Its Proper Place by Andy Crouch
How and When to Tell Your Kids about Sex: A Lifelong Approach to Shaping Your Child’s Sexual Character (God's Design for Sex) by Brenna Jones
It's Time to Talk to Your Kids About Porn: A Parent's Guide to Helping Children and Teens Develop Sexual Integrity by Greta Eskridge
HOW TO REORDER YOUR DESIRES
1.) Name the Real Enemy
(Eph 6:12, James 1:13)
2.) Take Ownership of Your Heart
(Prov 4)
3.) Ruthlessly and Unapologetically Eliminate Temptation
Quote: Don’t wait to resist temptation in the future, if you have the power to eliminate it today.
1.) Name the Real Enemy
(Eph 6:12, James 1:13)
2.) Take Ownership of Your Heart
(Prov 4)
3.) Ruthlessly and Unapologetically Eliminate Temptation
Quote: Don’t wait to resist temptation in the future, if you have the power to eliminate it today.
7 PASTORAL SUGGESTIONS
1. Confess It, Don’t Hide It
2. Get in the Word Daily
3. Pray Like Your Life Depends on It
4. Walk in Truth, Not Lies
5. Build Real Relationships
6. Pay Attention to Your Season
7. Focus on Progress, Not Perfection
1. Confess It, Don’t Hide It
2. Get in the Word Daily
3. Pray Like Your Life Depends on It
4. Walk in Truth, Not Lies
5. Build Real Relationships
6. Pay Attention to Your Season
7. Focus on Progress, Not Perfection
SMALL GROUP LEADERS GUIDE
Use these questions to take this message on Sunday into your week with family or friends.
READ TOGETHER: Matthew 5:27–30
START HERE: ICE BREAKER QUESTION
What was a rule or boundary your parents had when you were growing up that made no sense to you at the time—but now you kind of get it?
If your phone had a “most used app” award, what app would win right now? What does that say about your current season?
Use these questions to take this message on Sunday into your week with family or friends.
READ TOGETHER: Matthew 5:27–30
START HERE: ICE BREAKER QUESTION
What was a rule or boundary your parents had when you were growing up that made no sense to you at the time—but now you kind of get it?
If your phone had a “most used app” award, what app would win right now? What does that say about your current season?
GOING DEEPER: DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Jesus doesn’t just ask us to avoid sin—He invites us to reorder our desires.
What stood out to you from this week’s message? Was there a moment where you felt especially challenged or encouraged?
Jesus speaks to our desires—not just our actions. Why do you think He goes to the heart rather than just focusing on behavior?
In what ways do you see culture shaping how we handle desire (especially sexual desire)? How do the “secular” and “religious” visions fall short?
The message challenged us to take responsibility for our own hearts. What are some small practices in your life that help you guard your heart or fight temptation?
One of the final points was this: “Don’t wait to resist temptation in the future if you have the power to eliminate it today.” What’s something you could eliminate or adjust in your life this week to move toward freedom?
Jesus doesn’t just ask us to avoid sin—He invites us to reorder our desires.
What stood out to you from this week’s message? Was there a moment where you felt especially challenged or encouraged?
Jesus speaks to our desires—not just our actions. Why do you think He goes to the heart rather than just focusing on behavior?
In what ways do you see culture shaping how we handle desire (especially sexual desire)? How do the “secular” and “religious” visions fall short?
The message challenged us to take responsibility for our own hearts. What are some small practices in your life that help you guard your heart or fight temptation?
One of the final points was this: “Don’t wait to resist temptation in the future if you have the power to eliminate it today.” What’s something you could eliminate or adjust in your life this week to move toward freedom?
E.S.P.N. for the Group Leader to Remember:
Encouragement
Leadership is 51% encouragement. Don’t underestimate the power of a kind word or a thoughtful affirmation. Look for opportunities to call out the good in each person and remind them of God’s work in their life. Encouragement builds trust and fosters connection in your group.
Scripture
Make space to read Scripture out loud together. God’s Word is living and active, and hearing it read aloud can open hearts and minds to His truth in a powerful way. Even a short passage can spark meaningful conversation and reflection.
Prayer
Create intentional moments for your group to pray together. Whether it’s a simple prayer for the week or interceding for specific needs, prayer connects us to Jesus—and Jesus transforms lives.
Next Step
Always point your group toward one clear, actionable next step before you end. It could be as simple as spending five minutes in stillness this week, reading a specific Scripture, or reaching out to someone in love. A clear next step helps people take what they’ve learned and put it into practice.
Encouragement
Leadership is 51% encouragement. Don’t underestimate the power of a kind word or a thoughtful affirmation. Look for opportunities to call out the good in each person and remind them of God’s work in their life. Encouragement builds trust and fosters connection in your group.
Scripture
Make space to read Scripture out loud together. God’s Word is living and active, and hearing it read aloud can open hearts and minds to His truth in a powerful way. Even a short passage can spark meaningful conversation and reflection.
Prayer
Create intentional moments for your group to pray together. Whether it’s a simple prayer for the week or interceding for specific needs, prayer connects us to Jesus—and Jesus transforms lives.
Next Step
Always point your group toward one clear, actionable next step before you end. It could be as simple as spending five minutes in stillness this week, reading a specific Scripture, or reaching out to someone in love. A clear next step helps people take what they’ve learned and put it into practice.
HELP US - WRITE A GOOGLE REVIEW
One way you can help us make a big impact is by writing a short, positive review of your experience at Church at the Shores on Google, Yelp, or Facebook. It’s a small action that makes a big difference! Thank you!