Heart Connex Parents Page - November 13-15, 2011 - Gender ...
Truth Flowing from One Generation to the Next—Through Strong Heart Connections
PA R ENTS PAGE November 13-15, 2011 Gender Confusion—Richard Ross, Ph.D. 1. Heart Surprise (Today a parent goes first): Ask your teenager to stand while you stand directly in front of him or her. Take both of your teenager’s hands and focus on his or her eyes. Call your teenager by all three of his or her names and say: I love you. 2. Read Scripture: Invite a family member to pray. Ask members of the family to read 1 Corinthians 6:9 and 2 Timothy 2:22. Discuss the Truth and Untruths in light of these verses. Truth • Teenagers confused about their gender and affections are commanded to live with moral purity and to reach out for biblical help in resolving their confusion. Untruths • Teens attracted to their own gender are homosexuals for life. • Teens attracted to their own gender can’t help acting on those urges. • Teenagers just need to go wherever their feelings take them. 3. Explore Scripture: Read aloud 1 Corinthians 6:9. Explain to your family that writers in both the Old and New testaments made it clear that any homosexual behavior is sin against God. Read 2 Timothy 2:22. Point out that this Scripture is directed toward all teens, whether their affections are biblical or not. For both groups, Christ commands absolute purity in thought and behavior. 4. Think It Through: A teenager will lead this step. 5. Nail It Down: Say: Teenagers confused about their affections may not be able to put their finger on the source of their confusion. Even so, they are responsible for reaching out for biblical help. Our family should encourage, love, and support those who reach out for such help. 6. Pray: Stand behind your children and pray over each one in turn. As you pray, place your hands on their shoulders. Ask God to give each of them the courage to live in moral purity, to stand for truth, and to show compassion for those who struggle. 7. Blessing: Say: I bless this family for living in righteousness and for supporting and loving others on the same journey. Parent Tip: Family mission trips nationally and globally require money. God may be calling families to choose to live more frugally to release funds for kingdom expansion. Some years an international mission trip as a family may take priority over any other use of that money.
Copyright © 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention
PA R ENTS PAGE November 13-15, 2011 Gender Confusion—Richard Ross, Ph.D. 1. Heart Surprise (Today a parent goes first): Ask your teenager to stand while you stand directly in front of him or her. Take both of your teenager’s hands and focus on his or her eyes. Call your teenager by all three of his or her names and say: I love you. 2. Read Scripture: Invite a family member to pray. Ask members of the family to read 1 Corinthians 6:9 and 2 Timothy 2:22. Discuss the Truth and Untruths in light of these verses. Truth • Teenagers confused about their gender and affections are commanded to live with moral purity and to reach out for biblical help in resolving their confusion. Untruths • Teens attracted to their own gender are homosexuals for life. • Teens attracted to their own gender can’t help acting on those urges. • Teenagers just need to go wherever their feelings take them. 3. Explore Scripture: Read aloud 1 Corinthians 6:9. Explain to your family that writers in both the Old and New testaments made it clear that any homosexual behavior is sin against God. Read 2 Timothy 2:22. Point out that this Scripture is directed toward all teens, whether their affections are biblical or not. For both groups, Christ commands absolute purity in thought and behavior. 4. Think It Through: A teenager will lead this step. 5. Nail It Down: Say: Teenagers confused about their affections may not be able to put their finger on the source of their confusion. Even so, they are responsible for reaching out for biblical help. Our family should encourage, love, and support those who reach out for such help. 6. Pray: Stand behind your children and pray over each one in turn. As you pray, place your hands on their shoulders. Ask God to give each of them the courage to live in moral purity, to stand for truth, and to show compassion for those who struggle. 7. Blessing: Say: I bless this family for living in righteousness and for supporting and loving others on the same journey. Parent Tip: Family mission trips nationally and globally require money. God may be calling families to choose to live more frugally to release funds for kingdom expansion. Some years an international mission trip as a family may take priority over any other use of that money.
Copyright © 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention
