Summary
This three-book series aims to aid parents in talking to their children about sex, relationships, and puberty from God’s perspective.
The Talk: 7 Lessons to Introduce Your Child to Biblical Sexuality (Ages 6-10)
Changes: 7 Biblical Lessons to Make Sense of Puberty (Ages 8-12)
Relationships: 11 Lessons to Give Kids a Greater Understanding of Biblical Sexuality (Ages 11+)
Mom Thoughts
These three very short books are written like a script for a parent to use with a child. These are made to be an expansion of family Bible reading and the authors make it clear that if you have established that in your home, do that before starting these books. The author also makes a case that as Christian parents, we often fear awakening a desire in our children and let the pendulum swing too far the other way. “The fear of too much too soon often means we speak too little too late.”
The authors also acknowledge that the ages they have put on the books are guidelines, but they make a case for why they have chosen the ages they have. I appreciate that each chapter or “lesson” has a scripture reading and processes everything through a truly Biblical worldview. There is not a gospel presentation in this series, with which I am actually okay. There are a few Christian puberty/sexuality books for this age that have really great approaches and wording for the topics at hand, but when it comes to a gospel presentation, they are vague, muddy the waters, or get something not quite right. I’d rather have this approach than have a less-than-stellar gospel presentation that needs correcting.
The Talk (Book 1):
This book lays the foundation of Biblical sexuality well. It covers the biological differences between men and women, the basics of sexual intercourse and how babies are conceived, the development of human life in the womb, the good purpose of sex in marriage, the sin of adultery, rape and sexual abuse, and honoring God with your body.
Those may sound like topics that are too big to talk about with your 6-10 year old, and as the parent you get to decide when they are ready for these conversations, but they are handled well and without too much detail. The rape/sexual abuse chapter uses the story of Tamar and Ammon from 2 Samuel. This is the shortest lesson but is very helpful for children to understand that no one should try to touch their private parts or get them to have sex with them. While discernment should obviously be used as to when your child is ready for these topics, it is important that parents instill Biblical truth about sexuality in their children before the world does.
Changes (Book 2):
The second book in this series builds upon the first. If you want to introduce the topic of puberty without having first had the conversation about sex and what it is, this might not be the best or easiest option to use, as they are assuming the child has gone through the first book to lay those foundations. This book covers puberty being a natural and good part of growing up, how the human body changes all through life, mental and emotional changes of puberty, the physical changes that happen that are the same in both genders as well as the differences, and physical attraction.
While these important topics are covered well, I actually appreciate that nothing is gone into in great detail. These are meant to be starting places for conversations, laying a strong Biblical foundation without adding in more than is necessary. Encourage your child to ask questions and come to you with anything, but the authors have taken great care in finding this balance as a resource.
Relationships (Book 3):
This book was delayed in being sent to me, but I will update this review as soon as I have it in hand.
Overall (so far), I think these delicate and hugely important topics are handled Biblically and with care by the authors and I highly recommend this series.
The Talk: 7 Lessons to Introduce Your Child to Biblical Sexuality
Changes: 7 Biblical Lessons to Make Sense of Puberty
Relationships: 11 Lesson to Give Kids a Greater Understanding of Biblical Sexuality