Ever wanted a “grab-and-go” series on Christian sex ed that’s tailored across multiple ages and stages of childhood? Well, you have a great option in Luke and Trisha Gilkerson’s “The Talk” series!
So far we’ve started with the earliest book, “The Talk: 7 Lessons to Introduce Your Child to Biblical Sexuality.” Several of my homeschool friends recommended it, so I checked it out and appreciated its clear, simple and grounded approach to explaining sexuality at an early age. The target audience is for children ages 6-10.
According to the author’s website:
“The Talk is a series of 7 studies, all anchored in the Scriptures, that helps parents to talk meaningfully with children about sexuality.
- Lesson 1 deals with the differences between male and female, giving children a simple understanding of their own bodies and the opposite sex.
- Lesson 2 discusses God’s command for the human race to multiply, giving children a basic understanding of sexual intercourse and how babies are conceived.
- Lesson 3 addresses the development of human life in the womb, giving children a picture of the wonder of how babies grow and are born.
- Lesson 4 deals with the intimacy created through sex, giving children an understanding of the goodness of sex in marriage and how it creates a strong bond between a man and a woman.
- Lesson 5 discusses the sin of adultery, giving children a biblical understanding of why it is wrong.
- Lesson 6 addresses the difficult subject of rape and sexual abuse, reminding children of the importance of talking to their parents about anyone who touches them in an inappropriate manner.
- Lesson 7 deals with the importance of honoring God with one’s body because God has bought us with a price.”
You can buy the book in both paperback and eBook options.
Tips on sharing this resource
As with all sex education resources, I highly recommend parents review these first – together, if possible – before sharing with their children.
You may even try role-playing the conversation with your children beforehand, if the subject material is something you feel uncomfortable or shy about. This can be especially true for parents who never had a comprehensive sex education taught to them during their childhood!
Second, choose a quiet and safe environment in which to explain these to your children. A good time may be just before bedtime. Another option may be just after a meal when everyone is well fed and can focus for several minutes on an interesting topic.
Third, leave space for your child’s questions. Often we as parents can get so caught up in talking about difficult subjects that we forget to listen! Your child may have a totally different take on something you just read, or they may have questions that take the conversation into new territory that’s outside the scope of the “lesson” you originally had in mind. Don’t feel like you have to squash these opportunities or detours. Sometimes they can end up being the most treasured memories you have of the whole experience!
I hope this review gives you some fresh insights and inspiration in how to incorporate sex education with your children in a holistic, literature-focused approach. Let me know if there’s a specific resource you’d like me to review next!
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