Description
' Probably the most important topic the young people in your life are already thinking about hearing about and talking about... Rachel has written a fantastic book to guide, equip and provoke your own thinking so you can do the same for theirs. Anyone who ever talks to teens should read this.' Dr Kate Middleton, psychologist, director of the Mind & Soul Foundation So often we talk about sex as 'it', a vague, unnameable thing, but as culture continues to move rapidly, it's more important than ever that our voices are clear and confident when we talk to youth about sex. With the advancement in sex-tech and changing societal attitudes, we're preparing young people for a very different world - one we all need to be able to talk about. In The Sex Thing, Rachel Gardner unpacks a visual framework that can inspire and empower conversations with young people about sex. Focusing on both how young people explore sexual wholeness and what conversations they would need to engage with in that journey of sexual maturity, she offers practical advice for navigating difficult conversations with youth and talking to them confidently and openly. Whether you are involved in youth ministry or are parenting young adults yourself, The Sex Thing is a brilliant Christian book for anyone looking for a better, more productive way of talking to youth about sex. Packed full of tips and guidance drawn from years of experience, it will equip you with all the tools you need to engage with young people surely and positively. Together, Rachel Gardner demonstrates how we can talk about The Sex Thing in a way that actively forms a sexual ethic that our young people can thrive in.
The Sex Thing is an accessible and practical book from Rachel Gardner that will empower Christian parents and youth leaders when talking to youth about sex.
About the Author
Rachel Gardner is Director of Partnerships at Youthscape and President of Girls Brigade England and Wales. She is also Student & Youth Lead at Preston Minster, an Ambassador for Home for Good and a regular preacher and speaker at Christian youth and adult events. Her previous books include Beloved, Cherish and The Dating Dilemma.
Reviews
Probably the most important topic the young people in your life are already thinking about hearing about and talking about. In this moment where it's so vitally important we shape those conversations and create safe spaces they can make sense of the powerful messages they are bombarded with, Rachel has written a fantastic book to guide, equip and provoke your own thinking so you can do the same for theirs. Anyone who ever talks to teens should read this. * Dr Kate Middleton, psychologist, director of the Mind & Soul Foundation *
'The Sex Thing is a much-needed challenge to anyone serving in youth ministry. A timely reminder of the need to intentionally create space for honest, open conversations about sex. With practical advice and examples, and building on years of experience and insightful new research, Rachel helps unpack how we can begin to have healthy conversations with our young people about sex, relationships and intimacy.' -- Jimmy Dale, National Youth Evangelism Officer
'Rachel Gardner is a brilliant, courageous leader with decades of experience on the frontlines of relational ministry. I'm so glad she has written this important, insightful and ground-breaking book. The Sex Thing shows us how to put Jesus at the centre of conversations about sex with empathy, understanding and grace.' -- Pete Greig, 24-7 Prayer International and Emmaus Rd Church
'This book addresses one of the great blind spots of the church in our time. There seems to be a great hunger amongst leaders and pastors to engage in conversations about spiritual formation, and simultaneously, a great reluctance to engage in conversations about sexual formation. The silence is agony, particularly for the next generation who are looking for guides to help them navigate this incredibly complex cultural moment. We desperately need courageous voices to break the silence ... Praise God, Rachel Gardner has broken the silence and exposed the blind spot. When it comes to reimagining conversations with young people about sex, I honestly can't think of anyone I'd rather sit at the feet of to learn.' -- Pete Hughes, Lead Pastor at KXC
'This book is everything we need it to be and more. As a church leader and as a mother of two preteens, I'm grateful for Rachel's honesty, wisdom and challenge for us to leave behind awkward mumblings [about sex] and instead have informed, relevant and real conversations that are so much wider than sex talks of the past. The Sex Thing overflows with beautiful theology, helping us to guide our young people as they grow in their relationship with God and apply what they know about who he is to their lives.' -- Ali Martin, Soul Survivor Watford
'Rachel is a gift to youth ministry: she is passionate, funny, enthusiastic, and always able to shake things up in a creative and unrestrained way. This book [feels] like you are in a conversation with Rachel about topics that young people long to explore. If you love young people and you want to be empowered to have conversations about sex, relationships, and all the stuff in between, then this is a must-read.' -- Zeke Rink, Youth Network Associate Pastor, Vineyard Churches
'Over the last decade or so, no subject has felt more challenging - or more blurry - for Christian youth leaders to address than sex. In a culture that is moving so fast, the old principles for guiding young relationships suddenly feel like a poor fit, if indeed they ever did fit at all. The church has been crying out for someone to bring fresh vision, and a perspective that is both holistic and holy to this area... and now here it is. Rachel Gardner is the UK church's trusted voice on sex and relationships and young people; many youth workers like me will feel incredibly grateful that she has chosen to write this vital book.' -- Martin Saunders, Director, Satellites
Book Information
ISBN 9780281086450
Author Rachel Gardner
Format Paperback
Page Count 208
Imprint SPCK Publishing
Publisher SPCK Publishing
The Sex Thing is an accessible and practical book from Rachel Gardner that will empower Christian parents and youth leaders when talking to youth about sex.
About the Author
Rachel Gardner is Director of Partnerships at Youthscape and President of Girls Brigade England and Wales. She is also Student & Youth Lead at Preston Minster, an Ambassador for Home for Good and a regular preacher and speaker at Christian youth and adult events. Her previous books include Beloved, Cherish and The Dating Dilemma.
Reviews
Probably the most important topic the young people in your life are already thinking about hearing about and talking about. In this moment where it's so vitally important we shape those conversations and create safe spaces they can make sense of the powerful messages they are bombarded with, Rachel has written a fantastic book to guide, equip and provoke your own thinking so you can do the same for theirs. Anyone who ever talks to teens should read this. * Dr Kate Middleton, psychologist, director of the Mind & Soul Foundation *
'The Sex Thing is a much-needed challenge to anyone serving in youth ministry. A timely reminder of the need to intentionally create space for honest, open conversations about sex. With practical advice and examples, and building on years of experience and insightful new research, Rachel helps unpack how we can begin to have healthy conversations with our young people about sex, relationships and intimacy.' -- Jimmy Dale, National Youth Evangelism Officer
'Rachel Gardner is a brilliant, courageous leader with decades of experience on the frontlines of relational ministry. I'm so glad she has written this important, insightful and ground-breaking book. The Sex Thing shows us how to put Jesus at the centre of conversations about sex with empathy, understanding and grace.' -- Pete Greig, 24-7 Prayer International and Emmaus Rd Church
'This book addresses one of the great blind spots of the church in our time. There seems to be a great hunger amongst leaders and pastors to engage in conversations about spiritual formation, and simultaneously, a great reluctance to engage in conversations about sexual formation. The silence is agony, particularly for the next generation who are looking for guides to help them navigate this incredibly complex cultural moment. We desperately need courageous voices to break the silence ... Praise God, Rachel Gardner has broken the silence and exposed the blind spot. When it comes to reimagining conversations with young people about sex, I honestly can't think of anyone I'd rather sit at the feet of to learn.' -- Pete Hughes, Lead Pastor at KXC
'This book is everything we need it to be and more. As a church leader and as a mother of two preteens, I'm grateful for Rachel's honesty, wisdom and challenge for us to leave behind awkward mumblings [about sex] and instead have informed, relevant and real conversations that are so much wider than sex talks of the past. The Sex Thing overflows with beautiful theology, helping us to guide our young people as they grow in their relationship with God and apply what they know about who he is to their lives.' -- Ali Martin, Soul Survivor Watford
'Rachel is a gift to youth ministry: she is passionate, funny, enthusiastic, and always able to shake things up in a creative and unrestrained way. This book [feels] like you are in a conversation with Rachel about topics that young people long to explore. If you love young people and you want to be empowered to have conversations about sex, relationships, and all the stuff in between, then this is a must-read.' -- Zeke Rink, Youth Network Associate Pastor, Vineyard Churches
'Over the last decade or so, no subject has felt more challenging - or more blurry - for Christian youth leaders to address than sex. In a culture that is moving so fast, the old principles for guiding young relationships suddenly feel like a poor fit, if indeed they ever did fit at all. The church has been crying out for someone to bring fresh vision, and a perspective that is both holistic and holy to this area... and now here it is. Rachel Gardner is the UK church's trusted voice on sex and relationships and young people; many youth workers like me will feel incredibly grateful that she has chosen to write this vital book.' -- Martin Saunders, Director, Satellites
Book Information
ISBN 9780281086450
Author Rachel Gardner
Format Paperback
Page Count 208
Imprint SPCK Publishing
Publisher SPCK Publishing
