1. What do Christians believe about sexual relationships?

2. Attitudes toward Sex in Britain
No Sex please we’re British
Prudish – “somebody who is easily offended by matters relating to sex or nudity”

3. In the News...
Footballers jailed for gang-raping two 12 year old girls
Released from jail four months later
The girls consented, lied about their age and told the men they were 16
Changed their facebook pages to suggest they were 16
The Appeal Judge said, “The girls wanted to have sex... It’s what young people do”
The law says that a 12 year old can’t give consent because they’re too young
The offender is guilty even if he didn’t know the girl was under-age

4. Sexual Health Survey 2010
37% of young people say they need better information about sex and relationships
31% of Y10 pupils did not know Chlamydia was an STI
56% of Y10 pupils did not know Syphilis was an STI
Between a quarter and a third of young people lose their virginity before they are 16
7% of males and 10% of females don’t use contraception the first time they have sex (young people who become sexually active before they turn 16 are less likely to use contraception)

5. Sexual Health Survey 2010
The UK has the highest rate of teenage pregnancy in Western Europe
In 2009 the rate of conception for girls aged was 38.2 per 1000
49% of the under-18 conceptions, and 60.2%of the under-16 conceptions ended in abortion
Education has the biggest impact on conception rates
Young people who leave school later, with qualifications, are less likely to have early intercourse
They are also more likely to use contraception at first sex
Women are less likely to become pregnant if they have sex
Teenage mothers are less likely to finish their education, and more likely to bring up their child alone and in poverty
Young people aged represent 12% of the population and they account for more than half of all new STIs diagnosed in the UK

6. Sex Education
The Government’s Teenage Pregnancy Strategy began in England in 1999, with the aim of halving teenage conceptions by Some progress has been made with an 18.1 per cent fall in the under 18 conception rate and a 15 per cent fall in the under 16 rate since the 1998
The Government’s advice is that primary schools should tackle sex and relationships at the 7-11 age group
Groups working to lower teenage pregnancy rates agree with the advice
Others believe that sex education in primary schools robs children of their innocence and is tantamount to child abuse
The basic belief is that if children are better educated about safe sex at a young age then the numbers getting STIs and unwanted pregnancies will decrease
What do you think about the Government's strategy?
Can you think of any strategies of your own?

7. What is Sex? Sex is horrible and only for marriage
Sex is amazing but only for marriage
Sex is only for those in a serious relationship
Sex is for procreation
Sex is just a bit of fun
Sex is something good to be enjoyed by everyone
Sex is a physical, emotional and spiritual union of the most intimate kind

8. Traditional Christian View
Sex is a gift from God to be enjoyed only by married couples
Why?
It is the most intimate expression of love
God has blessed marriage
Marriage is the best environment in which to bring up children
There is an expectation of faithfulness

9. Traditional Christian View
Casual / promiscuous sex is wrong
Why?
Sex is about love not lust
Sex is the most intimate of acts involving deep emotions
Sex is not just physical and emotional but spiritual
A spiritual bond is created between the two people
Adultery is wrong

10. Liberal Christian View
Pre-marital sex is acceptable if part of a loving relationship and the couple intend to marry
Why?
Love is what matters most
Cohabitation and same-sex relationships are OK
It’s the quality of relationship that’s important
Adultery is wrong

11. Traditional Christian
Scenario
Traditional Christian
Liberal Christian
Sex within marriage
Pre-marital sex
Same-sex sexual relationship
Casual / promiscuous sex
Prostitution

12. Traditional Christian
Scenario
Traditional Christian
Liberal Christian
Sex within marriage
This is the best relationship in which to bring up children
It is the safest relationship for the couple
This relationship is blessed by God
This is the ideal relationship but not the only one
That a relationship is loving is the most important aspect of it
Pre-marital sex
This is not what God’s wants
Sex was invented by God to be enjoyed only within marriage
Co-habitation is wrong
This is OK if the couple are in a loving, committed relationship and they intend to marry
Co-habitation is OK too
Same-sex sexual relationship
This is unacceptable to God
This is acceptable if it is a loving, committed relationship
Casual / promiscuous sex
This is unsafe and unwise
Emotionally damaging
Spiritually damaging
Devalues sex
Prostitution
Totally wrong and unacceptable
It is about lust not love

13. What does the Bible say? You shall not commit adultery Exodus 20 v 14
That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh Genesis 2 v 24
You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5 v 27 – 28
Marriage should be honoured by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. Hebrews 13 v 4
The LORD is the witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have been unfaithful to her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant... do not be unfaithful to the wife of your youth Malachi 2 v

14. What does the Bible say?
At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven Matthew 22 v 30
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry Colossians 3 v 5
Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes Proverbs 6 v 25
Behind your doors and your doorposts you have put your pagan symbols. Forsaking me, you uncovered your bed,  you climbed into it and opened it wide; you made a pact with those whose beds you love, and you looked with lust on their naked bodies Isaiah 57 v 8
One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother Proverbs 18 v 24
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things Philippians 4 v 8

15. What does the Bible say?
12 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything. 13 You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.” The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! 16 Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” 17But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honour God with your bodies.
1 Corinthians 6 v

16. Silver Ring Thing Silver Ring Thing
What are the pros and cons of this program?
Do you think it will work?

17. Abstinence
Abstinence - restraint from indulging a desire for something, e.g. alcohol or sexual relations
Should abstinence-only be taught to young people?
Should it form part of sex education classes?
Is it realistic?
Will it work?

18. Homework “Sex is just a bit of fun” Discuss this statement (12)
“In Britain we have devalued the sexual relationship” Discuss this statement (12)