June 17, 2009 8:16 AM
Teaching purity: Theology of the Body for Teens
Hi Barbara,I just bought the most AWESOME program from Jason Evert.
You may already know about it, "The Theology of the Body for Teens".
John is only 11 but I wanted to do the reading myself so that I would be prepared, and I am finding so much treasure her for myself and my own marriage. It has everything that we need to know about the gift of Sexuality. I don't know how much reading you have done about TOB, but some of it is, well, pretty Theological. This is such a well written and beautiful program.
It is THOROUGHLY Catholic, but I sure wish folks would just open themselves up to God's Truth about sexuality, because it's really a God thing, not a Catholic thing.
If Maddy reads these books, she will have a wealth of information to share with her friends, as they go through these tough years. she probably knows any number of girls that are crying out for this information.
Jennifer wrote me this a few months ago, but I am just now getting to some emails sent after Tripp's February surgery (so sorry about all the delays in my life!)
I am ordering this book today adding it to my Wish List - and thinking that it may become the next study after Les Miserables. For those readers who aren't Catholic, I would hope that you might be interested in reading what some very wise people have been saying for centuries about chastity and God's plan for sex/marriage/the family.
Read more at Amazon:
And since I didn't know who Jason Evert is, I looked it up - another great resource for teens in the world, but not of it:
Welcome to the Pure Love Club!
The new sexual revolution is here.Hook-ups, friends with benefits, safe sex, and now safer sex? Our generation found out the hard way that none of it gives us the love we long for.
Romance without regret does exist. But if you want the real thing, be prepared to sacrifice. Only then will you see that the peace and joy that comes from chastity is worth more than all the pleasures of the world.
Within the pages of chastity.com, you are going to find blunt, honest, and uplifting reasons for why you're worth waiting for. No fear tactics. No guilt trips. Just the demands of authentic human love.
Posted in Pro-Life Issues, Teens and Tweens | Permalink
Comments
Theology of the Body is a beautiful way of looking at sexuality- it completely changed my life! Not only did it teach me the right way of viewing myself and my sexuality, it really has redeemed me from all my past mistakes and helped prevent me from making new ones in my own marriage.
Everyone, PLEASE take a serious look at this, Catholic or not. Pope John Paul II felt that the issue of sexuality in the modern world was so important to everyone that he made this one of the central themes of his papacy. The development of this idea was mainly in response to all that the Sexual Revolution brought about in the 60's and what was started in Pope Paul the VI's apostolic letter "Humanae Vitae" (also worth a read- in which many of his predictions about the integrity of the family and society in the aftermath of the Pill and abortion have come true!).
Truly, theology of the body it is a SOLIDLY CHRISTIAN way of viewing the whole issue of sexuality.
If anyone wants a good, Bible based explaination and easy introduction to these ideas, check out the book, "Theology of the Body for Beginners" by Christopher West. He takes you through Genesis and the Old Testament to Christ's own teachings in the Gospel about human sexuality and how we can apply this in our daily lives. A good quick read, not too heavy on complex theology and not too light on the information.
Thanks Barbara for letting me put my own two cents in!
Posted by: Sarah | June 17, 2009 9:48 AM
Jason Evert is a very effective missionary to teens. You should definitely check out his video presentations as well.
Posted by: Michele Mom of 8 | June 17, 2009 10:31 AM
You're right, Barbara. Sexuality is God's precious gift and so much in our society cheapens and destroys any sense of wonder. I wrote How to Talk Confidently with Your Child about Sex, part of the "Learning about Sex" series from Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, now in its Fifth Edition.
Over the years before each new edition came out, I updated the information on STDs and teenage pregnancy statistics, checking the facts with the National Institute of Health, etc. Each time I came away depressed. Most parents would be surprised to know what their school-age children are being taught in "sex education" classes.
Since the age of puberty keeps dropping, it becomes even more crucial to talk to our children early. Let them have their first exposure at home, where they can learn God's plan and hear their parents' standards. Then they won't be so likely to blindly swallow the "non-judgmental" view of sexuality they likely will hear outside the home.
Posted by: Lenore Buth | June 17, 2009 10:55 AM
I wanted to add my "ditto" to what Sarah wrote about Christopher West's Intro to TOB. I'm on a lay TOB Evangelization Team for our diocese and our goal is to bring this program to 40 parishes throughout the diocese in honor of the 40th anniversary of Humanae Vitae. We have 15 parishes already going. It's changing outlooks and misperceptions and opening hearts to God's original plan for marriage/sexuality/chastity... For marrieds, singles, consecrated celebates, widows... all will benefit from this program.
Posted by: Monica | June 17, 2009 11:37 AM
Also, just an FYI: Joshua Harris now has his " I kissed dating goodbye" on dvd's... Sounds interesting.
Posted by: Lisa | June 18, 2009 12:11 PM
One of our deacons is presenting this course over the summer for the teens. Last week there were 25 teens there. It looks like it will be a great group of kids. We're very excited.
Posted by: Sara | June 19, 2009 7:01 AM
