Youth Group!!!

Sunday night's high school youth group kicked off a new series, a real crowd pleaser if you will, Moral Boundaries.  This topic is one component of the series they are studying this year.  These 7 points are outlined in the book, 7 Checkpoints for Youth Leaders: Seven Principles Every Teenager Needs to Know, by Andy Stanley and Stuart Hall.  The two wrote the book to equip youth leaders with the essentials of the faith that students need to have a firm grip on before they leave youth group.  They have already discussed the first two principles, Authentic Faith and Spiritual Disciplines, last night they took the plunge into Moral Boundaries.
As you might imagine, there was plenty of awkward laughter and staring at the floor, but the reality was that the kids were able to hear simple and clear Biblical truth on a subject that has been distorted by our culture and by our own sinful nature.  Kim spoke with the kids about how their goal as young people must be purity, and that purity will pave the way for the intimacy that the Lord has prepared for their future marriages.  Kim questioned the thinking behind the age old question, "How far is too far?" and instead challenged the kids to strive for physical, spiritual, and emotional purity in their relationships with the opposite sex.
After the talk, Clayton was able to lead a guys discussion while Kim got to hear the girls perspective on what they had just heard.  The kids had some great insights from the talk, some found the it applicable as they are starting new relationships, some felt convicted and talked about what they wanted to do differently, while others discussed things they can put in place to prevent making mistakes they will regret later.  Next week the students will continue to discuss moral boundaries with separate talks for guys and girls.  Please pray that the Lord would give Kim and Clayton wisdom as they desire to help the kids glorify God through pure relationships.