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Voices of  Orthodox Women
SEX, GOD AND ME
A Review of an Episcopalian Curriculum
by
Nancy Fehl

"SEX, GOD. AND ME "is an abstinence based sexuality curriculum designed for kids in 7th through 12th grades, and their parents. Written by Meg Rice, an Episcopalian laywoman from Houston, Texas, the program has been used successfully by several mainline denomination churches in the Houston area.

Central to the curriculum is "a clear, unequivocal stand against premarital sex" and an understanding of God's grace and forgiveness in the case of sexual sin. It is stressed throughout the course that a return to chastity is possible for those teens who have been sexually active. The goals of the program are:

- to encourage parent / teen communication on sexual matters

- to promote the Bible as a reliable manual for the everyday challenges that affect our lives

-to encourage teens to establish a personal relationship with Jesus Christ

-to rely on the power of prayer in daily life

-to provide a safe, religious environment for the discussion of sexual topics with an adult facilitator committed to sexual purity.

 Facilitators in the program are urged to serve as mentors, providing guidance based on the scripture references given. Gods word to us in the areas of forgiveness, building confidence, sexual guidance, help (for ourselves and others), and thinking of others is referenced.

The program is divided into four sessions, each lasting approximately two hours and consisting of a speaker for both teens and parents, breakout discussion sessions for teens with a facilitator and an additional speaker for parents.

Week 1 -"Who Invented Sex?" "Why Stay Away From Premarital Sex?" Week 2 - "Sexual Intimacy" "Temptation"

"Forgiveness"

 Week 3 - "Pregnancy" "STD'S"

"Rape, Date Rape"

 Week 4 - "Why Wait?" The sessions reinforce that our creation as sexual beings is good and applies God's law to our lives as "a prescription for a successful and happy life." The author states, "We must simply be transformed through obedience to God rather than conform to false assumptions and unrealistic expectations that the world puts before us." She assists the participants in achieving that by providing specific and life applicable scripture to answer the questions they might have about their sexuality and situations related to it. In addition to the view that God's instruction to us through scripture enhances the joyful life, the program provides factual and statistical information and fundamental strategies for dealing with the moral dilemmas teens face in the world. Real life questions are asked about the real life consequences of our behavior, and forgiveness is not offered as a justification of sin. Instead, it is made very clear that although to the genuinely repentant complete forgiveness is given, we still live with the consequences of our sin and the guilt associated with it. Participants in the study are admonished to 'look different" in their relationships and be lights in the darkness.

At the conclusion of the study, participants are encouraged, if they are ready, to make a private pledge to God to live a life of sexual purity. It is made clear in the final session that the reasons to save sexual activity until marriage are many and varied in nature. But the fundamental command of God to wait is primary.

The author provides in the curriculum packet a sample of the lecture used in week one. In it, the tone and focus of the remainder of the class is made clear, Sex outside of marriage is forbidden by God, says Meg Rice, because it is damaging. To withstand the pressures of the world and stay sexually pure, young people are encouraged to study scripture, pray for guidance, and pray with a peer prayer partner. Decisions made about sexual activity, based on that spiritual foundation, must be made before sexual temptation is experienced. Also included in the text are down to earth suggestions for keeping the promise made to God. She encourages young people to get involved in Christian activities and to set their minds on honorable things, including the TV and movies they watch , the music they listen to and books they read. Everything that is recommended is centered in a relationship with Jesus Christ and the faithful response that elicits. And what happens if you misuse your sexuality? This study clearly offers the hope of repentance, forgiveness and renewal in the case of sexual sin.

"Sex, God and Me", does not have the slick appearance, the benefit of fancy illustration or the extra statistical information available in denomination produced curriculum. But what it lacks in packaging is more than compensated for in content. This course is designed to convince students that God does know what is best for them and that, as part of His plan for their future, he commands them to live lives of sexual purity. In a gentle yet firm way, using committed adults as models, it achieves its goal.
 


"SEX, GOD & ME" may be obtained by contacting
Meg Rice
4506 Ivanhoe
Houston, TX 77027
(713)629-4128