Bringing up a G rated kid in an X rated world

Juli - posted on 11/24/2008

I know...

When I was a kid, teenagers got in trouble for sneaking into rated R movies if they were under 18. not anymore!

Perhaps this will sound strange to you...

There are many things that parents try to bequeath to their children: land, money, heirlooms. All these can be taken away- taxes, theft, etc.



The only legacy we can leave our kids that cannot be taken away is our faith, and we really can't "give" that to them.

We can teach them through God's Word and by example in our own lives, but God has no grandchildren. Our kids can't get to heaven on our faith- they have to heave their own.

And there are MANY stumbling blocks out there in the world.

The media: tv, internet, magazines

Their peers at school where they hear and see a lot of things we don't want them to.



We have to keep praying for them, and loving them, and we have to continue to set standards that will help them keep their hearts pure. Being in a good youth group a t church helps too.

Ive got a son & a daughter.

Girls don't always realize the affect their wardrobe choices have on young men.

A 16 year old guy in our youth sunday school class last week named his biggest temptation as a pair of short shorts worn by a young lady he knew.

I was glad for his honesty but wonder if the girl knows how her choice of wardrobe affects others.



There are some really good books that can help:

EVERY YOUNG WOMAN'S BATTLE

Guarding Your Mind, Heart, and Body in a Sex-Saturated World

by Shannon Ethridge and Stephen Arterburn



Category: Religion - Christian Life; Juvenile Nonfiction - Girls & Women; Juvenile Nonfiction - Social - Dating & Sex | Format: Trade Paperback, 208 pages | Pub Date: July 2004 | ISBN: 1-57856-856-0



ABOUT THIS BOOK

Guys Aren’t the Only Ones Fighting a Battle for Purity.



The world you live in promotes sex as the answer to just about everything. The pressure to go along with the crowd is greater than ever before, and it’s easy to compromise in little ways that are a lot more harmful than they seem. You and your friends may become caught up in destructive relationships or sexual activities without even knowing how you got there. You just want to be normal–to fit in, to be liked, to look attractive to the opposite sex. But are you paying too high a price?

This counterpart to the award-winning Every Young Man’s Battle can help you:



· learn how the sexual battle begins in your heart and mind

· understand your hunger for attention from guys

· recognize and avoid the potential pitfalls awaiting young women on the journey toward adulthood and possibly marriage

· find out how the media, novels, fashion, internet chat rooms, and body and beauty obsessions influence your sexual choices–and what you can do about it

· guard your mind, heart, and body against sexual and emotional compromise

· develop a deeper, more satisfying level of intimacy with God



Whether you have so far protected yourself emotionally and sexually, feel that you’ve been robbed of your purity, or have given in to temptation in some way, this book can help you achieve or reclaim sexual integrity. It can also guide you through the temptations and pressures of young adulthood while demonstrating how you can live your life to the fullest–without regrets.



PRAISE

“I’m so grateful that Shannon decided to be as honest and real as she is—that’s the only way this book could be as powerful as it is. God is going to heal in unbelievable ways through this potent work of art and heart! I can honestly say that this book has changed me—because it gives a clear picture of who Jesus is, who we are as His bride, and why we can’t seem to be satisfied with anything or anyone else.”

–Bethany Dillon, songwriter and recording artist



“Like a steady IV drip, today’s teenage girls get a message of confused and cheapened sexuality. They are desperate for reasons to guard and preserve themselves. Shannon Ethridge gives girls reasons in this relevant and readable book. Every young woman and every young woman’s mother needs to read this book!”

–Sharon Hersh, author of “Mom, I Feel Fat!” and ”Mom, I Hate My Life!”



“A must-read for every teenage girl! Honest and informative, this book is not only highly readable with its true-to-life illustrations, but it’s packed with answers for every sexual situation today’s teens encounter. What a great antidote for the twisted sexual messages our pop-culture continues to dish out. Way to go, Shannon!”

–Melody Carlson, author of Diary of a Teenage Girl series and Torch Red, Color Me Torn



“Shannon writes with a direct, forthright style, yet she remains tactful and kind as she presents her balanced, godly teaching on dating and relationships. Without question, this is a must-read for any young woman who longs to remain pure in her relationship with God, and I suspect this book will very quickly become a staple of small-group studies.”

–Fred Stoeker, coauthor of Every Young Man’s Battle



“This book should be required reading for any teenage girl who has been exposed to the negative influences of the culture through media, music, movies, and fashion magazines. As someone who is in the trenches of ministry to teen girls, I appreciate Shannon’s candid approach and her willingness to tackle some difficult topics facing our young women. She does a beautiful job of exposing the godless issues of the culture, while at the same time, offering godly solutions.”

–Vicki Courtney, founder of Virtuous Reality Ministries and author of Your Girl: Raising A Godly Daughter in an Ungodly World



“This book is awesome! I will be buying it and reading it with teens that I mentor. I wish it had been available to me when I was a teen.”

–Adrienne Freas, homemaker and Campus Crusade for Christ staff member

Rhaelene - posted on 11/22/2008

I have a 16 and 14 year old daughter and a 12 year old son! We have bought our kids up in a Godly home, teaching them purity, honour and respect from day dot... but they get bombarded at every turn - and I mean every turn. It is only through my faith, trust and hope in Jesus and the knowledge that he is within them that gives me courage! Wow 3 month old - you must be so proud! It only seems like yesterday that mine were that young - enjoy every minute - they truely do grow so quickly!

Keely - posted on 11/21/2008

I know what you mean. Connor is only 3 months but i already wonder now to protect his innocence and purity. I pray God will give me the ability and strength to do this on a daily basis!