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Sex Ed at Home continued
What Does the Bible Say?
Love
- John 15:17
- Rom. 12:9-10
- 1 Cor. 13
- 1 John 4:7-5:5
God's gift of sex
- Gen. 1:26-28
- Song of Solomon
Sexual sin
- Prov. 6:20-35
- Prov. 7:1-27
- Matt. 5:27-30
- Mark 7:18-23
- 1 Cor. 6:12-20
- Gal. 5:16-21
- Eph. 5:3
- Col. 3:5-9
- 1 Thess. 4:3-8
Sexual immorality, temptation and forgiveness
- Gen. 19:1-38
- Gen. 34:1-31
- Gen. 39:1-22
- Josh. 6:15-25
- 2 Sam. 11:2-12:23
- 2 Sam. 13:1-22
- 1 Kings 11:1-13
- 1 Cor. 6:9-11
What Your Child Needs to Know: An Age-by-Age Guide
| STAGE | CHILD'S INTEREST | PARENTS' RESPONSE |
| Infancy (birth to 2) | Touch sensations; differentiating self from surroundings | Affirm through nurturing touch?cuddle, hold, caress. |
| Toddlers (2 to 3) | Sensations associated with genitals, bodily functions | Allow child to touch his genitals; toilet train without shaming or embarrassing child. |
| Early childhood (4 to 6) | Exploring and comparing, gender differences | Acknowledge child's curiosity about sexuality; answer questions factually and positively; allow self-discovery; protect child's privacy. Expect exploratory play with peers; make positive statements about being a boy or girl; help child take pride in his or her gender; discuss nudity, modesty. |
| Late childhood (7 to 9) | Privacy issues, increased awareness of social attitudes about gender and sexuality | Help child establish physical boundaries; be prepared to answer more complex questions about sex. |
| Preadolescence (10 to 12) | Changes associated with puberty, self-esteem messages | Foster understanding of emotional and biological changes; discuss menstruation, masturbation, sexually transmitted diseases, physical boundaries with the opposite sex, the need for abstinence, the role of sex in marriage. |
For More Information
Feeling a little nervous about talking to your kids about sex? These resources are a great way to jump-start a conversation about God's gift of sex, no matter what your child's age.
- What's Happening to Me? by Peter Mayle (Carol Publishing)
- Where Did I Come From? by Peter Mayle (Carol Publishing)
Picture books, illustrated for use with children 4 and older.
- New Learning About Sex book and video series (Concordia)
Age-specific books and videos provide a Bible-based understanding of sexuality.
- Talking to Your Kids about Sex
by Mark Laaser, Ph.D. (WaterBrook)
A guide to help parents through age- appropriate discussions about sex, from toddler through young-adulthood.
- No Apologies: The Truth about Life, Love and Sex
book and video (Tyndale)
This Focus on the Family book for teens 14 and older is an inside look at the feelings and emotions involved with sex.
- What's the Big Deal about Sex?
by Jim Burgen (Standard)
Burgen talks to young adults in a fresh, humorous tone about sex and God's plan for their lives. Includes personal reflection questions at the end of each chapter.
- Facing the Facts
by Stan and Brenna Jones (NavPress)
A straightforward look at what the Bible says (and doesn't say) about sex, including masturbation and birth control. Aimed at the early-adolescent reader.
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Sex Ed at Home continued
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