God’s Gift of Sexuality
Thrive Begins New Year Looking At God’s Gift of Sexuality
Starting Wednesday, January 7, Thrive returns with a 4 Learning Event look at: “Exposed: The Naked Truth of Sex and Dating.” We realize some 6-8th graders’ thoughts are constantly dominated by attractions and relationships with their peers while others seem completely oblivious. At some point, all our kids are faced with tough choices and decisions about sex. Studies show our children are starting puberty earlier and exposed more often than we were to sexual messages. We are not holding a sex-ed class and we are not going to show pictures of sexually transmitted diseases. Instead we hope this is a time of open-discussion for our kids in small groups as well as a prime opportunity for you to talk openly and listen thoughtfully to your son or daughter especially over the next couple of months. We hope to show the Bible has a lot to say and reflects God’s plan for sex and uncover the many myths about sexuality. Parents have the most impact on their sons and daughters especially in matters of drugs, alcohol and sexual activity and we hope you will make the most of this opportunity.
Below are the actual outlines for each of the 4 Learning Events that you can download and review yourself and use as a guide to futhering discussion with your 6-8th grader.
January 7: What Was God Thinking?
January 21: What Went Wrong?
February 4: What’s a Jr. Higher To Do?
February 18: When Friends Become More Than Friends?
Our Thrive Guides are committed to providing a caring, nurturing and open environment to discuss this tough topic. Kids (when allowed to) have no problem discussing issues of sexuality and our Guides have committed to a special Guide Huddle on January 5 to prepare because we know how important this topic is to you and your son or daughter. As always, we invite you to attend our Large Group time (Parish Life Center) on any of the above dates if you feel that would help in your family discussions. If you have any questions please download the above outlines and read them through and if you still have thoughts or questions please contact Rob in the church office.
We are looking forward to continuing to help our 6-8th graders thrive in their faith!
