Saline Community Church – Connecting People... Changing Lives... in Saline, MI

This is certainly a hot topic.  The very mention of the word "SEX" draws all kinds of reaction.  Throw into that the mention of how to teach kids and it is down right craziness.  This last year I was asked to serve on the local schools "Reproductive Health Board".  This is a team that takes a look at what our current curriculum is and how it is working.  We have surveyed parents, teachers and students to see their thoughts and input.  I can say that serving on this team made up of parents, community people and educators has been a good experience and one that I believe will prove to be beneficial for our schools.  The reason I am serving on this is that the State of Michigan requires for one clergy to sit on this team.  I have found the others on the team to be very committed to what is best for our schools.  The whole process has raised some key questions and issues for us to address as parents and and the church.

As the church we have often only communicated the negative side of sex. Sometimes portraying that we are anti-sex.  Just think for a moment how many times in a Christian environment have you heard all the negatives and warnings about sex compared to the positive message about sex.  Have we lost sight that it was God who created this incredible thing called sex.  Now I know what you might be asking, "Is he promoting and encouraging sex?"  Well, yes I am.  I do believe that God has given this to us as a gift for the enjoyment in a marriage relationship and only in a marriage relationship.  I do not waver from that at all.  We have received some many negative messages from family, media, church and the list goes on about sex.  The church needs to lead the way in teaching about God’s gift of sexuality inside of marriage.

As parents I believe we should be teaching our children about the pitfalls of sexual behavior outside of marriage.  The pleasure is short but the pain goes deep in those situations.  But I also believe that as parents we should teach our kids that sex is a gift from God and that should be saved for marriage.  It is important to teach them the positives as it relates to sex inside of marriage.  Too often as parents we put all of our eggs in the big basket of the “Sex Talk” and miss the day to day teaching and modeling about healthy relationships and sexuality.

I know this is a touchy topic but I believe that with the family, church and school choosing to walk through this that we can help lead our children to healthy relationships now and in the future.