Alive: Gospel Sexuality for Students

This would be a great group study for teens. It talks about a lot of issues that we often try to sweep under the rug. I believe the way this is laid out and the questions it offers would highly engage the teen reader. There are truly tough topics in this study but we can't keep ignoring them, they are not going away. We need to empower our young people to deal with the many issues around them and this study will do this.

Harvest USA's recent curriculum, Alive: Gospel Sexuality for Students and its accompanying videos, God's Design for Sexuality in a Changing Culture, bring over two decades of ministry experience with sexuality issues into conversation with Scripture and spiritual growth and development. While the curriculum is especially geared for high school students, it operates from the assumption that our identity is formed in the waters of baptism, not in the modern definitions of human sexuality. As a pastor, I appreciate the approach. The open-endedness of the questions in Alive offer students opportunities to reflect on Scripture and enter into real conversations in the local church around one of the most important, yet deeply-neglected, concerns in our culture. God's Design for Sexuality in a Changing Culture helps guide those conversations in the local church -- particularly in those contexts where congregational leaders feel incompetent. Some years ago, a local congregation with which I was involved attempted to have one of those conversations around homosexuality, only to have that conversation cancelled by older members. This is a resource that would have helped them negotiate those choppy waters. Together, Alive and God's Design for Sexuality in a Changing Culture are excellent resources, though I wouldn't consider them the final authority. For that, we turn to the Spirit. And these resources will help the Church discern where the Spirit is leading us into the future as followers of Jesus Christ.

Harvest USA, applies biblical truth in a compassionate way to sexual struggles. Cooper Pinson, with years of experience working with students, aims to bring the theological truths of our union and communion with Christ into the world of sexuality. Students are met where they are and encouraged to talk about the issues that are part of their everyday world. At the same time, they are guided to learn robust, deep, and strengthening theological content that will help them follow Jesus in how they express their sexuality. Out of this framework, topics addressed include God's good design for sexuality, gender-related issues, singleness, dating, marriage, masturbation, pornography, and same-sex attraction, among others. Students are shepherded to understand their sexuality in the light of who Jesus is and to approach these issues with truth, faith, and compassion. I love to be around young people. When I taught Sunday School I let them know it was because I walked away from church and missed hearing important, life-changing messages in my formative years. They might reject any message I share, but at least they will have heard it. That's the same mentality I have for teens and God's design for sexuality. Teens need to hear Biblical truth, especially when it comes to sex. There is so much pressure, starting at younger and younger ages over all the topics that Alive covers. I appreciate that Alive tackles every possible subject I could imagine when it comes to sexuality, down to transgender and dating abuse. This 10-week study starts with a weekly scenario, then moves on to reflective questions regarding the scenario. There is Biblical search and discussion on the topic, as well as questions to thoroughly engage in the topic. I thought the author did a fantastic job tackling the sensitive subjects with such comprehension and Biblical wisdom. The Leader's Guide is probably the best resource I've ever come across in a study. I know most youth groups might be nervous to talk about the very specific issues included in this study, but if we don't, the world will. I can't think of a book more relevant book that doesn't compromise truth, yet also is not a harsh political agenda, than Alive. I truly hope youth pastors and leaders embrace everything Alive offers teens, and that teens move past the awkward silence and giggles to tackle everything Alive has. I truly believe the teen years will be better handled with this information. Alive is intended for 8th grade through high school and suggested to use in a small group, gender specific format. They believe by doing so, a small group featuring leaders of the same sex as teens will help make the study more comfortable and the atmosphere one to build trust and conversation.

Sexuality is a hot topic anywhere except in the church. Christians don't like to talk about this "taboo subject", and because of that, many people, young adults and teens especially, don't know how handle compromising situations regarding their sexuality or the sexuality of others. Because, to Christians, "sex is bad and gays are wrong". No explanations given. So the goal of Alive is to inspire conversation within a small group regarding this topic and to give a Biblical foundation to why Christians believe what they believe. New Adult fiction is a rapidly growing genre. More and more teens and young adults are presented with movies and books that grapple with questions and situations faced by these new adults, and as I'm sure you could guess, sexual orientation is at the top of the list. I am a very strong Christian, and sometimes the messages in these books (which are not Christian) can cause even me to take a step back and think, "Well they do have a point..." Young adults definitely NEED to be able to talk about their concerns, ask their questions, and even confess confusing feelings, and because most churches don't allow that "type of talk", they go to their friends, who may or may not steer them back to The Word.

Alive: Gospel Sexuality for Students gives teenagers and young adults a biblical, gospel-centered framework to understand sexual issues. In a changing culture where feelings about our identity inform our sexual choices, this ten-week small group resource by Cooper Pinson of Harvest USA, applies biblical truth in a compassionate way to sexual struggles. Cooper Pinson, with years of experience working with students, aims to bring the theological truths of our union and communion with Christ into the world of sexuality. Students are met where they are and encouraged to talk about the issues that are part of their everyday world. At the same time, they are guided to learn robust, deep, and strengthening theological content that will help them follow Jesus in how they express their sexuality. Out of this framework, topics addressed include God's good design for sexuality, gender-related issues, singleness, dating, marriage, masturbation, pornography, and same-sex attraction, among others. Students are shepherded to understand their sexuality in the light of who Jesus is and to approach these issues with truth, faith, and compassion. My thoughts: This book is a great resource for youth groups and church libraries to have on hand, since it is a great guide to get students thinking about what the Bible says about sexuality. I like that the scenarios are short and to the point, backed up with thought provoking questions and scripture verses to get kids thinking about where they stand on important issues. This book has a section for everyone to go through, along with another section for the guide.