To give young people the opportunity to express their questions, feelings, and attitudes about sex, while teaching them that sex is a holy gift, blessed only if it enjoyed in the right context.

OVERVIEW

LEADER PREPARATION

• Be understanding, open to their feelings and attitudes, and sensitive; do not be judgmental.
• Collect a number of passages from Scripture relating to sexual activity. Write them down and make copies to hand out so that the kids will have something to look at for future reference. Examples include the following: Genesis 1:27-28, 1 Cor. 6:12, John 2:18-20, and 1 Cor. 6:13-17.
• Prepare a tape player and current, sex-related song (be careful to find one that is clearly sexual, but not too explicit).
• Provide index cards and pencils to the group participants.

GROUP BUILDING

• Play a game that introduces the group members to one another.
• Pass out index cards and have everyone in the group write down any questions that they have about sex. Let them know that these will be read anonymously. Once they are done, collect the index cards, and tell the group that the questions will be answered later in the discussion.

GROUP PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION

• Play the song. Ask if there are any initial reactions to the song. Generate some group discussion, asking any of the following questions:
  • What is this song saying about sex?
  • Do you think that this is a prevailing attitude in our society?
  • Is there a lot of pressure to have sex?
  • What is sex? What does it involve?
  • What is the purpose of sexual involvement? If it is to express love, are there other ways of expressing love? What are they?
  • Should you have sex with more than one person? Do you have to be married to have sex?
  • What does God say about extra-marital sex?

• Answer the anonymous questions. Let the group try to respond first, and then you may offer the best answer that you can.
• As appropriate, hand out the Scriptural passages and discuss.

WRAP-UP

Emphasize the following points:

• Sex is a God-created gift; it is beautiful and good. We are sexual beings and sexual attraction is natural.
• Sex is good in the right context. It is not blessed outside of marriage. Outside of marriage sex can bring diseases, guilt, and emotional and psychological problems.
• Sex is distorted in the media.
• Sex involves a commitment and should not be considered a one-time event.
• Sex does not equal love.
• God can give us the power to say "no" and overcome the pressure you may feel. God forgives and cares for you.

CONCLUSION

The discussion will hopefully help students think about sex and be able to make the right choices. It is also important to let them know that if they make a poor choice, they can be forgiven. Let them know that if they still have any questions they may always talk with you.

IMPLICATIONS

It may seem difficult to follow through, considering that this discussion may be a one-time only conversation for some of the kids, but it is important to believe that you have planted a seed in them. Pray to God that He will nurture and protect them.

Dean Borgman cCYS