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The Sex Thing

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The Sex Thing is an accessible and practical book from Rachel Gardner that will empower Christian parents and youth leaders when talking to youth about sex.
  • 12 November 2021
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'Probably the most important topic the young people in your life are already thinking about hearing about and talking about... Rachel has written a fantastic book to guide, equip and provoke your own thinking so you can do the same for theirs. Anyone who ever talks to teens should read this.' Dr Kate Middleton, psychologist, director of the Mind and Soul Foundation

So often we talk about sex as 'it', a vague, unnameable thing, but as culture continues to move rapidly, it's more important than ever that our voices are clear and confident when we talk to youth about sex. With the advancement in sex-tech and changing societal attitudes, we're preparing young people for a very different world - one we all need to be able to talk about.

In The Sex Thing, Rachel Gardner unpacks a visual framework that can inspire and empower conversations with young people about sex. Focusing on both how young people explore sexual wholeness and what conversations they would need to engage with in that journey of sexual maturity, she offers practical advice for navigating difficult conversations with youth and talking to them confidently and openly.

Whether you are involved in youth ministry or are parenting young adults yourself, The Sex Thing is a brilliant Christian book for anyone looking for a better, more productive way of talking to youth about sex. Packed full of tips and guidance drawn from years of experience, it will equip you with all the tools you need to engage with young people surely and positively.

Together, Rachel Gardner demonstrates how we can talk about The Sex Thing in a way that actively forms a sexual ethic that our young people can thrive in.

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Price: $24.00
Pages: 208
Publisher: SPCK
Imprint: SPCK Publishing
Publication Date: 12 November 2021
Trim Size: 9.21 X 6.14 in
ISBN: 9780281086450
Format: Paperback
BISACs: Christian life & practice, Religious aspects of sexuality, gender & relationships
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Introduction: The thing is 1

Part 1
1 The purity hangover 17
Reimagining a good recovery in the church
2 Rising strong 29
Reimagining adolescent identity in an angry and anxious age
3 Yes, no, maybe 49
Reimagining empowered choice and perceived control
4 Pubes, nudes and dudes 59
Reimagining body positivity and puberty preparation
5 The Disney gospel 79
Reimagining gospel-shaped conversations about sex
6 Rebel community 92
Reimagining radical practices of holiness

Part 2
7 Let's talk about sex 107
Sexual well-being and meaningful conversations
8 The sexual health thing 118
How to have conversations about bodies, sexual activity and sexual health
9 The safety thing 129
How to have conversations about sexual consent, exploitation and damaging social norms
10 The desire thing 140
How to have conversations about sexual pleasure, lust and attraction
11 The intimacy thing 151
How to have conversations about closeness, vulnerability and trust
12 The integrity thing 158
How to have conversations about sexual authenticity, moral character and calling
13 The thing is 167

Part 3
Appendix 1: A Christian Youth Sex Survey: a survey of
Christian young people aged 16-21, 2020 175
Appendix 2: The Big Sex Chat: a survey of youth leaders, 2020 181
Appendix 3: Extra resources 188
Acknowledgements 191
Notes 192