GROWING UP GOD’S WAY
(for girls/for boys)
By Dr Chris Richards and Dr Liz Jones
EP Books. 76 pages. £7.99 each
ISBN 978 1 783 970 001 – for girls
ISBN 978 0 852 349 991 – for boys
How will our children learn about sex? From whispers in the playground? From teen magazines? From sex education at school? From overtones, undertones, innuendos and blatant promiscuity on television and other media?
Many a parent has rightly attempted the ‘embarrassing talk’ with pre-adolescent offspring. Some have flunked it and hoped for the best with some generalised comments and warnings. Parents should be aware that school sex education lessons at their best are generally deliberately devoid of any kind of moral framework. At their worst they can propagate lies and promote promiscuity by giving an ‘everybody’s doing it’ message. Frequently they are little more than a ‘how-to’ guide. But to remove your children from such sessions and then say little or nothing yourself is hardly helpful either.
Sex in a biblical framework
For all the above reasons, many Christian parents will be delighted at the publication of these two short and attractive books, colour coded for boys and girls, which put love, sex and marriage into a biblical framework. They are written by Dr Chris Richards and Dr Liz Jones, who are behind all the truly excellent work that the Christian organisation ‘Lovewise’ does in schools and churches on this subject (check out their website for an extensive range of materials).
The books are designed to be read by a pre-pubescent child with a parent (the book itself suggests ages 9-13). They contain biological facts, sensitively explained and tastefully illustrated. This is sex education as it should be done – truthfully, positively, morally and biblically. Subjects covered include bodily changes, emotional hang-ups, ‘going out’, marriage, temptation and gender distinctives. The boys’ and girls’ books have a great deal in common, so each gender learns about the other, but also have some specifics. I particularly liked the short paragraph for boys on the subject of respect for girls – this is a huge issue – and the no-less-important paragraph about modesty for girls. All this is simply and helpfully explained, referring to Scripture but not being overly preachy.
There is a massive amount of work to be done with our children on this subject to counter all the lies now being officially and unofficially propagated. I recommend these books to every parent. I wish I had had such a useful resource when my own children were pre-adolescent.
