‘Trousers on fire’?
MAKING GODLY CHOICES (DVD)
Marriage, sex and relationships teaching from a Christian perspective
By Dr. Chris Richards and Dr. Liz Jones
Lovewise (http://www.lovewise.org.uk). £10.00
Making Godly Choices is a series of seven presentations, each lasting about 30 minutes, aimed at helping young people understand the Bible’s teaching on relationships, sex and marriage.
There are sessions on being wise about relationships, the purpose and theology of marriage, sexual intimacy, and two sessions on dealing with temptation. Each presentation contains a series of PowerPoint slides with a script that helps a leader take the group through the material. The DVD also contains several videos of people talking about their experiences of marriage and going out, and a video of a marriage ceremony, as well as other useful resources including a list of suggested games.
Much needed
There are many good points about the DVD which make it a useful resource for church youth groups. The material is well produced, easy to use, and is designed to be flexible so a leader can add in their own ideas and thoughts. The DVD clearly and helpfully sets out the Bible’s positive teaching on marriage and sex, and seeks to help young people apply that to their own relationships. The authors are unashamed about tackling sensitive topics like pornography, and deal gently with guilt and painful experiences young people may already have had. In a world where so many simply haven’t heard this positive message, such material is badly needed.
Questions
If I have questions, they are small. First, while the authors seek to teach the principles of God’s word in this area, it might have been good to have a series of study questions at the end of each session so groups can study a Bible passage for themselves. The passages mentioned are often highlighted for a moment — perhaps more serious engagement with the Bible is needed. Second, in dealing with such sensitive material as sexual intimacy, I felt the gospel of grace needed to be sprinkled more liberally through the sessions. All of us have failed in this area, and we need to hear of God’s grace again and again. Finally, the wise leader will want to tailor this material to his youth group carefully. Not all groups would cope with the depth of teaching, and groups with a majority of unbelieving young people might struggle. But apart from those questions, Making Godly Choices is a helpful starting point for young people to discuss these important issues.
Nathan Buttery,
Associate Vicar for Families, St. Andrew the Great, Cambridge
