Thrive in January and February tackles the tough but important discussion on how God sees sex. We ask parents to take time in December to talk about family beliefs about sex, puberty, and dating.
Pre-teens and teens need to hear the good and not so good issues about sex and how important it is to make wise, Godly decisions when it comes to our sexuality. We especially thank our Thrive Guides for stepping up to help our youth by leading great discussions that might (should) be extended into our families.
Click a Date to see materials: Jan 4 | 18 Feb 1 | 15
To view the Thrive Large-Group presentations CLICK HERE
Dads! It is possible we could use your leadership especially in boys’ small groups with all-female leaders. If you are manly enough to help, please contact Rob or your child’s small group Guides.
Use these recent news articles to inform and spark discussion with your 6-8th grader:
- For Parents, ‘The Talk’ May Need A Reboot [usa today] (added 1.27.2012)
- Teens as Young as 14 Engaging in Group Sex [abc news] (added 1.27.2012)
- Majority of Teens Watch Online Porn (iol scitech)
- Teens Pose Near-Naked in New Facebook Trend (Herald Sun)
- 3 Ways To Help Teens With Porn (Doug Fields)
- Survey: Sexual Harassment Pervasive in Grades 7-12 (fox news)
- Talk To Your Teens Even If They Tune You Out (usa today, added 1.13.2012)
- More Teens, Young Adults are Virgins (usa today, added 1.13.2012)
- Thrive “Sexuality” Survey Results (added 1.25.2012)
- Teaching Healthy Sexuality to Your Kids (YouthMinistry.com)
- Monkey See, Monkey Do (YouthMinistry.com)
- The Sex Text Hotline (YouthMinistry.com)
- Talking To Your Kids About Sex (WebMD)
- Talking With Kids About Tough Issues / National Survey (talkingwithkids.org) (added 12.15.2011)
- Sex and Middle School Ministry (ThinkChristian)
- Oral Sex IS Sex and Most Teens Don’t Know It (YouthMinistry.com)
- Sex Education in America (NPR) (added 12.15.2011) and related page
- The Sex Lives of Christian Teens (christianity.com) (added 12.15.2011)
- Small Group Guide Help Sheet (may be useful for parents as well) (added 01.03.2012)
- Christian Book Distributors (remember values/beliefs do vary within Christian culture)
- Amazon.com Resources
- Barnes and Noble
- Beyond the Big Talk (book summary)
- I asked does everyone know what oral sex is and one answered….”it’s when you talk about sex”
- From an 8th Grader – ‘You don’t have to be married to have kids…(pregnant pause)…You could be divorced.’
- “Dang it. My voice cracked. I hate puberty.”-6th grade boy
- “I thought a virgin was somebody with small ears.”





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