Last week we started our annual “Love, Sex & Dating” teaching series up here on the hillside! This is a series we do every single year in which we cover some of the most important topics and questions that our junior high and high school students are wrestling with.
We’ll cover some core foundational things throughout the series, like identity, purpose, truth, authority of Scripture, God’s unconditional love and grace, etc. We’ll also dive into some more specific topics each week like marriage, singleness, dating, sexual intimacy, and sexual sin.
Our students are certainly hearing about these topics from their peers and via all the media at their disposal.
Our heart behind this series is to teach students what the Bible has to say about all of these areas so that they are equipped with truth to counter the lies of the world.
It is also so that they would have a space in the context of a loving community to wrestle through their own feelings towards and questions about these things, with leaders to guide and encourage them along the way.
A former youth group member here at COD (now a leader in our student ministry) shared the following about her experience with the Love, Sex & Dating series:
When I was a student in junior high and high school, this series made a difference in how I thought about love, sex and dating, because it eliminated a lot of the shame that is often associated with these topics. I felt as though I was able to come to my leaders with questions and that I wasn’t going to be judged.
Having the safety and security to have Christ-centered conversations about these topics made it easier for me to learn about how God has designed us compared to what the world says. The lessons made a lasting impact on me. I still remember specific lessons, testimonies, and pieces of advice that I often implement in my life as a young adult.
Now that I get to be a leader walking alongside students during this series, I’m hoping that this series makes a difference for my core group. I’m praying for opportunities for them to not only ask questions, but also to learn more about their identities in Christ. I’m also looking forward to seeing how the Lord works through our stories to reach the kids. – Hannah
We recognize that students will be bringing their own assumptions, experiences and questions with them each week, and so we want to meet them where they are and help usher them to the truth of God’s Word and to the grace of Jesus Christ.I’m so excited to see what God does through this series!
Would you please pray for us as we dive in each Tuesday night?
- Pray that students would leave with more clarity on what is true, good, and wise when it comes to these topics.
- Pray that they would be reminded of God’s unconditional love and grace for them.
- Pray for our youth leadership team as we prepare each week.
- Pray for us as we navigate all the questions and realities this series will bring forth in our young people.
In Him,
Ryan Berkman
Student Ministries Pastor
P.S. Our student ministries program meets Tuesday nights at 7:00pm and Sunday mornings at 9:30am. To get more information or to ask questions, feel free to CONTACT ME.
