How many teens in your youth group are involved in some kind of sexual activity?  Your first response may be none.  However, the reality is that many are, if not most.  Youth pastors across the country tell me:

“All my 13 and 14 year old girls talk about are boys.”

“Many of my teen boys are already hooked on internet porn.”

“Youth today don’t believe oral sex is sex.”

Many Crisis Pregnancy Center directors tell me over 50% of the teen girls coming to them pregnant are from church youth groups throughout their community!  Parents are constantly asking me, “How do I talk to my kids about sex so they’ll listen?”

As the Church faces these realities, many pastors, youth pastors, and parents remain silent on the issue mainly due to a lack of confidence in how to deal with it effectively.  As a result, many teenagers are left to fend for themselves in a sex-saturated culture where anything and everything goes.

So how can your church respond?

I Chronicles 12:32 – “The men of Issachar understood the times [culture] and knew what to do.”

First, understand the culture.  We cannot possibly reach today’s teenagers with a message of sexual purity without a solid understanding of where they are coming from on the issue.  The days of lecturing, just say “no,” and the finger in the face approach will not work in this culture of teens.

That’s why it is vital that pastors, youth leaders, parents, and teachers learn the most innovative approach in teaching teens about sex – directive education!  Directive education puts adults on a teenager’s level, allowing them to meet teenagers where they are in their culture, and direct them in making smart, healthy decisions while building respect, responsibility, maturity, discipline, and Godly character.

Second, speak the truth, saying it as simply and as often as possible.  That’s how Christ taught!  Jesus went into communities in complete understanding of the culture of those to whom He was speaking.  He told them stories they could relate to.  If they didn’t understand the story, He explained it to them.  He directed them, and He did this over and over again.

Third, provide innovative programs that get a teenager’s attention.  In teaching a standard of sexual abstinence until marriage, one must first present this message in a way that makes sense to teens.  With the help of a youth leader and their parents’ direction, teens must conclude for themselves that sexual abstinence until marriage is the wisest, most healthy choice for a teenager to make.  Once it makes sense to them, then their hearts are open to the Biblical application.

In today’s teen culture, it is video that teaches the best since teenagers are so visually oriented.  The program must be full of stories, fast paced, and directive.  It must show many teens as Godly role models.  And it must convey the truth according to God’s Word.

Where can you find such a program for your youth group? 

Click here to learn more.

Until next time…

M.L. Productions, Inc.