It’s not always easy to know how to talk to our kids about the big topics. And yet, instinctively we know that we can’t avoid them because the culture around us is ready to fill in the blanks.

In Proverbs 5 and 7, King Solomon broaches the tough topics of sex and temptations, in and out of marriage, with his sons with profound insight. But how are you going to tackle these topics with your kids? How are you going to guide them in God’s Word and God’s plan in a way they understand and at a level that’s appropriate to them? The truth is, it’s less about having “the talk” and more about regular conversations and special moments along the way.

I find that sometimes its nice to have a book to point to, read, and even ask questions about, then try to generate all that information (and wisdom!) on my own. Here are some recommended resources that I mentioned during this past Sunday's sermon.

SEX, GENDER, & MARRIAGE

God’s Design for Sex Series by Stan & Brenna Jones

• The Story of Me: Ages 3-5
• Before I was Born: Ages 5-8
• What’s the Big Deal: Ages 8-12
• Facing the Facts: Ages 12 and up

Prepare your kids now for the pressures and relationships they’ll experience as teens and adults. Each book is age appropriate to help answer the questions they start to wonder about (where did I come from? How are babies born? What changes am I going through?) during that season, helping assist you in presenting God’s wonderful design for our bodies and sexual relationships in marriage.

PORNOGRAPHY

Good Pictures, Bad Pictures: Porn Proofing Today’s Young Kids by Kristen Jenson: Ages 8-12

Good Pictures, Bad Pictures Jr.: A Simple Plan to Protect Young Minds by Kristen Jenson: Ages 3-6

The idea of pornography was a difficult one to want to bring up with our kids, however with the prevalence of screens (in our kids’ hands or in the hands of others) we know that it’s not always about our kids seeking it, rather pornography and dirty photos/videos are seeking out them! This book (and it’s companion: Good Pictures, Bad Pictures Jr.) were great for introducing the concept as well as providing a response methodology that helps them take part in protecting their young minds if they see a “bad picture.”

PREVENTING ABUSE

God Made All of Me: A Book to Help Children Protect their Bodies by Justin & Lindsey Holcomb: Ages 2-8

This is a phenomenal book in helping children at a very young age to have a biblical understanding of their body, including their “private parts” without shame. This is an instrumental resource in helping protect your children from abuse through a very age appropriate and God-glorifying way. It helps open the conversation and can be a tool to check back in with your kids about how they are being treated by others when you’re not around.

SEX & RELATIONSHIPS FOR TEENS/20s

Chasing Love: Sex, Love, & Relationships in a Confused Culture by Sean McDowell: Ages 12-99

A fantastic book that helps center God’s sexual ethics in God’s Fatherly love for His people. Sean winsomely mixes current statistics, biblical truth, and pop-cultural references to engage young people in the issues that are driving the day. In this book he challenges the wisdom of the age (follow your heart’s desires) with a call to follow Jesus. It also includes answers to really tough questions about sex, singleness, marriage, and homosexuality.