3. We are pro-life.
We may sign every pro-life petition, constantly preach about the sanctity of life, and donate to a crisis pregnancy center. But if we aren’t talking to our kids about sex (not just once but throughout their childhood and teen years), then we’re failing to live out our pro-life views.
We can’t send children out with no sense of how God designed sex and with no real knowledge of bodies and reproduction work. Let’s be open and acknowledge how strong sexual desire is and how tough it can be to wait until marriage. Instill a reverence for marriage and their future spouse.
Above all, show kids that holiness is a lifelong pursuit that includes the difficulty of denying ourselves sexual pleasure until marriage. Christian sex education is a huge part of the pro-life movement. It starts with us.
4. Sexual orientation isn’t a given.
In this strange culture, many kids will begin to question their sexual orientation. Others might even tell them they’re gay. When questions come up, kids need to be able to talk to us. So be there to reassure them. Guide them in working through their fears. Also, constantly stream God’s Word in their ear, always leading them back to God’s holiness and goodness. I want my kids to run to me first. And if we have a long history of talking openly about sex, that will happen.
5. If we start Christian sex education young, we can easily keep the conversation going.
If your child is a teenager and you haven’t yet opened a conversation about sex, just do it. It will be awkward and weird, yes. But don’t miss your opportunity to influence while they’re in your house. Invite kids to share their struggles with you. Offer godly guidance, even if they act like they don’t want to hear it. They need to!
But if you have younger kids, you have a golden opportunity. Begin conversations during a phase when they aren’t self-conscious and embarrassed. Start small in age-appropriate ways. Leave plenty of room for questions and honest talk. And don’t stop talking! Just keep it going. Check in regularly. Ask questions about what kids hear. Find out if they have questions to ask you. If you’re feeling especially awkward, talk in the car. Then you don’t have to look each other in the face.
As Christian parents, we want to disciple our kids and lead them in the ways of God. We can’t fool ourselves into thinking that Christian sex education isn’t a huge part of discipleship. Sexual sin is dangerous and rampant, and it always has been. We can’t help our kids deal with the incredible pull of sexual desire unless we talk about it. Will it feel awkward? Maybe, at first. But it’s nothing we can’t handle with God’s help.
Sex shouldn’t be a dirty word in our homes. If we want kids to think biblically about sex and their worth, we must implement Christian sex education. Just start with one conversation at a time.
