Okay, this is my last post on this series. For the past two weeks I’ve written a great deal about the problem of pornography and sex that is affecting kids while they’re in our children’s ministries. For the most part, we’re not doing anything about it. However, maybe we can change that. When I say we, I mean you and me and others.
As I shared in my last post, I’m creating a plan for my church to deal with this issue, to prepare kids to make commitments to purity. The plan I’m going to design will be a comprehensive approach from 3-4 years old until they’re teenagers ready to make a commitment to purity. What this plan looks like, I’m not sure. What resources we’ll use, I don’t know yet. This is where you might come in.
Over the last two weeks, many people submitted great book and resource ideas. I got names, numbers and emails of people running various programs that address some of these issues. This is great, except it will take me and my small team too long to sift through all these resources or connect with the contacts. What if a group of us put our heads together and shared our brains? What if everyone takes a book or two, reads it, takes copious notes and shared with the group as a whole. In a month’s time, the group can cover significant ground and perhaps all of us together can put together a thorough list of resources (with suggestions on how to use them) as well as great ideas of sex/porn/purity classes or programs that could work in a variety of settings.
I’m amazed by how many people commented over the two weeks thanking me for broaching the subject and bringing it to light, yet very few people had much to say about tangible and proven ways the church could partner with families to address the issue. So, think about donating a little time to develop some solutions. If you’re interested, leave a comment or shoot me an email at kenny [at] childrensministryonline.com.
I’m in man. Just let me know what you need me to do so we don’t double up.
So I have yet to read all of these good posts… I have been saving them up… but interesting that our summer camp was had last week was the first time I have ever addressed these issues with our kids.
http://www.davidwakerley.com/2011/01/26/preteen-purity/
great series…kenny. incredibly useful. i’m in on whatever help you need. getting ready to teach a 6 week series in our outpost after the big game.
count me in!
Great two weeks of posts. Kenny your like Dr. Ruth only taller and much more cool. Every year at camp we discuss Purity with the kids by talking about self-control where I think the wheels start coming off in the area of purity.
Thanks Kenny so much for pointing us all to some great resources. I would also say that Wakerley’s talk on purity is great just read it last night good stuff.
I think your heart and thoughts are in the right direction but if you ask me, we don’t need to be discussing these issues with small children. Children at these ages don’t really know what pornography and sex are let alone think about these issues. This is a touchy subject that needs to be addressed but when the time is right. We don’t need to be putting these thoughts and ideas in their heads.
Marissa, I appreciate your comment. Unfortunately, in your reply you didn’t define “small children” and “Children at these ages.” So I don’t know if you’re talking about 3 year olds or short 9 year olds. You’re right, I’d never talk to my 3 year old about pornography. I won’t talk about sex with him either. However, he does know what is parts are called and he knows that God created him just the way he is. In addition, I do plan to talk to him about sex before he hears about it at school… or even at church. Yeah, kids talk about it there too. Unfortunately, this will probably mean I’ll have these conversations with him earlier than I’d prefer, but he needs to hear it from me first… not his misinformed buddy. If the average age of kids being exposed to pornography is 9-11, then you better believe I’ll be having preventative conversations with him before 9-11. I totally get what you’re saying, but I refuse to avoid these conversations because these kids are too young to have to deal with this stuff and wait for him to see and hear about it from others. You’re right about addressing it when the time is right, but I feel that most parent’s idea of the “right time” is far too late.
Hi there, keep on posting topics like this, this would greatly aid me on my extension bible class every weekend, this is a good topic to have as a side bit with my stories. Thanks again.
You’re right, I’d never talk to my 3 year old about pornography. I won’t talk about sex with him either. However, he does know what is parts are called and he knows that God created him just the way he is. 🙂
All of us has a moral and spiritual obligation to any kids .Spreading out what is good and pleases the Lord should be a must to us Christians. Post like this should be given time by any parents, counselors and teachers.