Read Ted's report about True Love Waits
There is incredible pressure on teenagers today to experience sex at an
earlier and earlier age. A significant study reveals that each year the
average American teenager hears almost 15,000 sexual jokes, innuendoes, and
other sexually suggestive references on TV. Of these, fewer than 170 present
a message supporting responsible sexual behavior. (Victor C. Strausburger,
"Tuning in to Teenagers," Newsweek, May 19, 1997, p. 18.)
It is never too early--or too late--to start preparing your child to resist
the Sex Trap.
Without question, we live in a sex-filled world. We see and hear about it on
the radio, TV, movies, on billboards, in magazines and on the Internet.
Everywhere we turn, everyone in the world seems to have a different opinion
on sex, and they're all trying to tell us that they're right. Our young
people are bombarded with the confusing message that what was right or wrong
years ago may not be that way anymore. The world says it depends upon what
the norm for society is at the time, and at the very least, they should
protect themselves and have "safe sex."
But as Christians, we are not to be conformed to the world. Since this is
true, I believe that we need to let our young people know that the truth
about sex is found in God's Word. We should teach our children godly
principles about sex and abstinence before their minds become indoctrinated
by what the world finds acceptable. The Bible says that sexual activity
outside the bonds of marriage is sin. We need to take a proactive approach
in teaching God's clear guidelines to expose the safe-sex myth, counteract
the negative peer pressure, and promote the truth -- premarital sex is both
morally wrong and physically risky.
Brad Pistole and I have just wrapped up a 10-week Wednesday night class for
our 7th - 12th graders entitled Sex, Lies and the Truth -- True Love Waits.
This class has been a biblical character-building Bible study with an
emphasis on sexual abstinence for our youth. The main objective has been to
inspire, inform, and encourage teens to know that abstinence is not only the
biblical thing to do ... it's also the right thing to do. The decision a
person makes to remain sexually pure is a lifetime issue, and we need to
encourage our kids with the truth in God's Word. The aim is to present a
biblical case for teen sexual abstinence in a clear, relevant way that shows
God's explicit standards for sexual purity.
This Wednesday night (Oct. 25th) at 7:00 in our FLC, we'll have a "Virtue
Ring" Ceremony and reception. Parents, teens and the rest of the church
family are invited to join us. This will provide a way to affirm, encourage
and support our youth in their commitment to sexual abstinence until
marriage. At this time, the parents that want to will then give a "virtue
ring" to their son or daughter that will help remind them of their
commitment. We will also have "True Love Waits" commitment cards available
for the teens during the class.
See you in Bible Class!
Read Ted's report about True Love Waits
Link to Ted Edwards Home Page