Hello parents,

There are several key topics we believe we need to walk through with students on a regular basis. One such topic is challenging students to navigate relationships and sexuality in a way that honors God. The reality is that the world around us is presenting (and even promoting) a message that you are defined by your relational and sexual pursuits. It’s something we HAVE TO be talking about at home and in the church.

Over the next three Quake lessons in our series REAL Relationships as we talk about love vs lust, significant other (dating), and singleness & marriage. Below is a chart with dates and more information on each topic.

We have already had three lessons on basic relationships – God & Yourself, Friends & Others, and Parents. We are moving onto the next part of this series. As I have prayed, processed, and prepared for this series, there have been three very important goals I am keeping in mind:

1.   We want to take a holistic approach. The temptation is to oversimplify this topic with students by saying, “Don’t have sex ‘til you’re married,” which is 100% accurate. Yet, in the process, we brush over the significant layers that are present developmentally as well as culturally with unlimited internet access in the palm of a student’s hand (aka the phones and tablets most students have today). These messages will focus on pursuing sexual integrity in all areas of our lives. This is only done in the strength and grace of Jesus, as we walk through a sexually broken world.

2.   We want to remain age-appropriate in our content. This can be tricky with varying ages in the room (7^th graders to 12^th graders) and varying convictions and preferences of different homes. Here are a few clarifying points.

•       This series IS NOT a “sex ed. course.” We will not be getting into biology and/or mechanics. We’ll save that for you to discuss!
•       This series IS a “theological course” on God’s design and desire for all types of relationship. As well as, God’s design and desire for sex.
•       If we were to put a rating on this series, we would give it a light PG-13 rating. Content will be presented in a straightforward, but God-honoring way.
  
  3.   We want to set parents/guardians up to WIN! We want our conversations to be something that can create further conversation in the home. We also want parents to make the call on what level they will be engaging in this series based on where they discern their students to be in this conversation. Here are several things we will be doing to help you along the way:
  
•       This is email is our first step by giving overview of where we are heading. Check below for a week-by-week breakdown explaining our topics.
•       An email will go out every week before giving a little more detailed direction on where we are heading that week.
•       A follow-up email will go out every night after Quake (or pick up sheet at check-out) with very notes from our night as well as discussion questions.
•       If you don’t feel your student is ready to have these conversations, we get it. That’s why we are giving you all of the details up front so you can make the call.

REAL Relationships Series Breakdown

Please join us in prayer as we go on this journey together. We trust that this will not only prove to be a valuable series, but that we will students more excited than ever to wholeheartedly pursue a relationship with Jesus above all else.

We Love Partnering with you,

Pastor Mark & Quake Leaders