Question for a project...
 

Hello all, Long time no post...

I am doing a project for one on my classes. It is a class in persuasion and I am creating a presentation trying to persuade teens to abstain from sex until marriage.

I could especially use comments from youth pastors (who are effective:) ) as well as pastors, parents, big brothers, sisters, or former teenagers who abstained (or didn't)....

Basically Everyone :thumbsup

What do you think are the most effective messages?
How do you know that this is effective??

(I am a parent of teens, so I know what I use, but I want some other opinions)

Re: Question for a project...
 

Eddie covered this in his sermon this morning on Marriage Commitment. The angle he came from was that of "soul ties". That when you have relations with someone, it's like a piece of you is tied to that person forever. When you enter a marriage relationship and have strung out little pieces of yourself with several different people, you cannot enter into that marriage whole. It's not a fragmented spirit, which is redeemed, but it is a fragmented soul (mind, will, emotions). That's why sometimes you keep going back and thinking of past relationships when you should be perfectly satisfied with your marriage partner; your soul is "tied" to that person in an unhealthy way. He used the scripture about sexual sins being different than any other type of sins.

Re: Question for a project...
 

Wow, I think that is an excellent way to explain it. I think a lot of young people would benefit from that viewpoint.

Re: Question for a project...
 

I really like that Sherri. When I was in Youth group (a looooong time ago) My youth pastor explained that it was like building houses. By waiting until marriage one gets a big plot of land to move around on, no neighbors, but when you become intimate with people you build "apartments" and though you may never go into those apartments, they are always "neighbors", in some way you are always connected to them...

Sounds like a similar comparison... It really touched me then... Good thoughts! Keep 'em comin'

Re: Question for a project...
 

For me it was the videos they showed in school with graphic pictures of what STD's actually do to your body. It was horrifying.

I think a good solid Christian abstinence program should incorporate every aspect listed above. Because some kids are going to be reached by one aspect others may be reached by the others. Persuasion is an interesting art form. It largely depends upon the personality of the people you're trying to persuade. If it is a large group of teens you're going to have different personalities and experiences involved. So you're going to have to cover a lot of territory to get maximum impact. For example some might be reached by fear of God... others might care less. For these it might be fear of STD's or pregnancy.

Re: Question for a project...
 

Hey Pro,

If we're talking about a non-Christian environment, I think the only angle you can come up that may work is respect for oneself, maybe the future happiness thing.

Our society is so out of whack-- when I was in 5th grade, I knew sexually active 5th graders.

In fact, by 2nd grade, I had seen a lot and was knowledgeable of the mechanics-- and I grew up in pretty strict Christian home.

Your task is quite daunting.

Re: Question for a project...
 

I agree, I think that many teens are affected by the graphic images because they are used to media images, and often count what they "see" as real as opposed to what they "hear"... Thanks for the feedback!

Re: Question for a project...
 

Well I technically get to "pick" my audience for the project. I have debated about whether to target Christian or a mixed group of teens, but part of what I have to do is a type of "market research" interviewing potential "targets", and because I work at a Christian School, I will probably just target Christian teens, (because I work with them and can interview them in the coming week).

Re: Question for a project...
 

I have found that with many kids, fear of being called into the pastors office is all you need.

Re: Question for a project...
 

Good Point, Randy.. Do have any horror stories to share??? :foottap