4 Views on Talking to Teenagers about Sex: Pragmatic Help for Teaching Sexuality

Sex is essential and awkward, divine and messy, seemingly simple and yet often incredible complex. It’s no wonder we as youth workers often struggle with how best to approach this vast but critical topic with teenagers—and sometimes avoid bringing it up altogether. 4 Views on Talking to Teenagers About Sex reflects the thoughts, experiences, and practical advice of four in-the-trenches youth workers, who have spent years having these conversations with the teenagers in their ministries. Representing an array of viewpoints, these writers don’t agree on everything—but they all know that our conversations with teens about sex must speak to God’s design, avoid shame, and go far beyond any one instance of “the talk.” Here you’ll find tips on how to engage in honest conversation, what topics to approach, and how to help youth reflect on and behave according to sexual ethics that honor God, themselves, and others—in their teen years, and through all of the phases of adulthood to come. This book won’t attempt to give you all the answers, but it will fuel your thoughts, challenge you, and encourage you to continue these essential conversations with the youth in your ministry.Mark Oestreicher is a partner in The Youth Cartel, which provides resources, training, and coaching for church youth workers, and is the author of many books for youth workers, parents, and teenagers. @markosbeard. Jen Bradbury serves as the minister of youth and family at Atonement Lutheran Church in Barrington, Illinois. Jen is the author of books including The Jesus What Teens Actually Believe about Jesus, and is the assistant director of Arbor Research Group, where she has led many national studies. Jake Kircher is a pastor, author, and speaker who has been in ministry for fifteen-plus years. He is the author of the THINK curriculum as well as Teaching Teenagers in a Post-Christian World. You can find him on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter as @jakekircher. Jonathan McKee is the president of The Source for Youth Ministry and author of books including The Teen’s Guide to Social Media & Mobile Devices. He speaks to parents and leaders worldwide and offers free resources and training for youth workers at TheSource4YM.com. Joel Stepanek is the director of resource development for Life Teen International, a youth ministry speaker, and the author of books including True A Roadmap for Discernment.