• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
Official Site for Shannon Ethridge Ministries

Official Site for Shannon Ethridge Ministries

Author and Advocate for Healthy Sexuality and Spirituality

  • Home
  • About
    • One-Page Bio
    • Speaking & Media
  • Mentoring
    • B.L.A.S.T. Mentoring
    • B.L.A.S.T. Next Level LIVE Workshops
    • BLAST Badge Application
    • Affiliates
    • Trailblazer Certification Program
  • Coaching
  • Workshops
    • 4-Day Intensive Workshops
    • Women at the Well Intensive Workshops
    • Well Women Intensive Workshops
    • Couples at the Well Intensive Workshops
    • B.L.A.S.T. Next Level LIVE Workshops
    • Donate
  • Podcast
  • Store
    • Donate
  • Freebies
  • Donate
  • Contact

Hooking Up vs. Holding Out: Helping Singles Find a Healthy Sexual Balance (Part 5 of 7)

04/20/2012 by Shannon Ethridge 1 Comment

Hooking Up vs. Holding Out: Helping Singles Find a Healthy Sexual Balance (Part 5 of 7)

Hooking Up vs. Holding Out:
Helping Singles Find a Healthy Sexual Balance
(Part 5 of 7)

Forbidden Fruit vs. Not-So-Guilty Pleasures

When teaching young people about boundaries in dating or courtship relationships, it’s easy to focus on all the things they shouldn’t do.  NO touching below the neck… NO getting horizontal… NO… NO… NO!  There’s certainly a place for such warnings in youth ministry, but what young people really want to know is, “What CAN we do?”

So why not focus on the great things they CAN enjoy without guilt or shame?  I’ve asked guys and girls to make lists of ways that a romantic relationship can be fueled without starting any sexual fires.  Her list includes:

  • Affirm not just my physical beauty, but also the character traits you admire in me.
  • Take me to church and youth activities so we can grow spiritually both as a couple and as individuals.
  • Hold my hand, or give me the kind of hug that makes me feel safe, not seduced.

 

His list includes:

  • Tell me what you respect about me.
  • Help me with little things like homework or shopping for my sister’s birthday present.
  • Do nice things that make me feel special, like baking me cookies or helping me wash my car.

Our sex-saturated society teaches young people that unless someone is trying to push your envelope or get your clothes off, they must not be very into you.  By teaching teens the difference between loving activities and lustful activities, we can equip them to enjoy the healthiest romantic relationships possible!

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Print

Filed Under: Teen Sexuality, Young Adult Sexuality

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Anna Baggley says

    10/01/2012 at 11:26 am

    This is really good information. I am helping with our student ministry at church, and currently we are talking about purity. Our teens really have not had in depth guidance regarding purity of mind, heart, body, and soul. What is your suggestion, to us as youth leaders, as far as how we should order our sub topics about purity(pure mind, pure heart, pure soul, singleness, relationships, etc.), and how long we should spend on this specific topic? Thank you for all you are doing for the LORD!!!!:0)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2013-2020 Shannon Ethridge Ministries · Privacy Policy · Site by Design by Insight

Cart
  • Your cart is empty! Return to shop
Checkout - $0.00
  • 0
  • 1