• Easily accessible, theologically progressive, mainline Christian Education resource on human sexuality for parents of middle school age children and teens
• Middle School module component for the These Are Our Bodies program
Participating in These Are Our Bodies paves the way for more open communication between middle-schoolers and parents, including the connection between sexuality and faith.
This Parent Guide is a parent or caregiver's first step on the journey. The most effective teaching about sexuality includes both children and parents. Children have been watching their parent and learning from them since birth. The most basic gestures, attitudes, and comments teach our children how to think about their bodies. For children in middle school, the information that they need to be informed and empowered is changing. One goal of this program is to help parents communicate knowledge, skills, and values to their middle-schoolers and to make that vital connection between faith and sexuality. Parents sometimes feel anxious about tackling the next stage of questions, and this program gives parents the information needed to jump right into conversations with a growing child.
Participants have a Participant Book, which will be theirs to use during the program and to keep as a reference after the program is over. This Parent Book, however, is meant to be a resource just for parents or caregivers. This book will keep the parent informed about each session. In each chapter, they will read about what the middle-schooler is learning. They are invited to reflect on some of the scripture that they are studying. Each chapter also includes journal questions that will help connect faith with sexuality and with parenting. The reader will learn new ways to think about sexuality and how faith is relevant to understanding the complexities of sexuality. In this program both participants and parents learn and grow together.
See the Leader Guide for topics of each session.
Learn more about the program at theseareourbodies.org
"Finally, a comprehensive curriculum that connects sexuality and faith, as well as drawing in middle school students and their parents to have frank, honest, and life-affirming conversations! Each session of These Are Our Bodies are so wonderfully written as to empower students and leaders to explore and wrestle with the topics of sexuality & relationships in ways that invite questions and honor that we are all God's children. Don't be afraid to talk about sex and sexuality with your youth in church. You can do it with These Are Our Bodies!"
—Eric Travis, Missioner for Youth and Young Adults, The Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
"These Are Our Bodies is a thoughtfully crafted program designed to underscore the beauty and grace of God's gift of human sexuality. Emphasizing the central role of parents, the program helps reassure the youth that home is the place to find answers to all of the many changes in their bodies and attitudes toward life."
—Mindy Boynton, Children, Youth & Family Minister, Ascension Episcopal Church, Stillwater, MN
"For anyone working with tweens and young teens in a faith-based setting, the Middle School module of These Are Our Bodies is a must-have resource. The Leader Guide and Participant Book, together with the program's Foundation Book, offer a comprehensive program for middle school faith leaders, teachers, and parents to guide our youth through the complex questions and discoveries of this critical time in their personal, spiritual, and physical development. The materials are complete, inclusive, and current to the vast array of issues surrounding faith and sexuality in the 21st century."
—Christina Clark, author of Arts Camp, and Family Minister at St Barnabas Episcopal Church, Denver, CO
