: TheThoughtfulChristian.com

A Reformed understanding of sexuality begins with a belief in a God of love that has created us as sexual beings to relate to one another in love. Using biblical and theological principles, as well as Scripture, this article provides guidance and sup...

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The Adolescent Reality
Article

Filled with exploration and potential, adolescence is a time of identity formation. Looking at the challenges of young people through brain development, technology, and spiritual development, this article calls readers to accompany young people as th...

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Alcohol Abuse among Teenagers: Hope and Help for Leaders
Article

The human body is created in GodÆs image. When we fail to care for our bodies or we abuse them, in this case with alcohol, we are rejecting the image of God within us. Alcohol is the most-used drug among teenagers, and leaders should be prepared to d...

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Bullying: How Faith Communities Can Respond
Article

Bullying amongst teenagers is not a new problem. The difference today is that technology and social networking create a culture where teens can no longer escape the pressure of bullies. This article helps parents and youth leaders understand the caus...

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Human Sexuality: Knowing the Terms and Definitions in the Context of God's Love
Article

God's love is essential for full realization of us as sexual beings. To cherish and use God's good gift of sexuality wisely, we need to know as much about ourselves and our sexuality as we can. This article defines these terms of human sexuality in t...

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Necessary Conversations: The Church's Ministry in Adolescent Development
Articles

Young people learn about human development and sexuality from a number of places--family, friends, television, social media--and the church must be one of these sources. This article encourages the church to act as a touchstone--a steadfast, loving, ...

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Practicing Shalom: Developing Healthy Attitudes Toward Food and Body
Article

Anything that disrupts life in shalom--harmony with God, with our bodies, and with the earth--is both a spiritual and a physical problem, and requires both spiritual and physical solutions. This article reveals how this disruption affects our relatio...

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Principles, Values, and Assumptions for a Faith-Based Course on Human Sexuality
Article

The church must acknowledge that it has a set of values about human sexuality to convey when designing a faith-based course on human sexuality for young people. Offering basic principles, values, and assumptions about human sexuality, this article wi...

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The Teenage Brain: Insights for Parents and Caregivers
Article

Recent brain development confirms what parents, caregivers, and youth leaders have always known: young people are prone to acting inpulsively and ignoring potential consequences.

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