Choosing the Best - Too Special to Spoil

Name	Sessions	Year
Choosing the Best / Too Special to Spoil	2	8 - 10

This is a two part presentation for Year 8-10, suitable for RE or PHSE lessons. Each presentation lasts approximately one hour and includes the topics outlined below:

Choosing the Best

What influences young people's choices: Young people are often unaware of the powerful influences on their attitudes to sex and relationships. We look at examples in the media and from peers. We encourage them to consider how to recognise good and bad influences.

In relationships choices have consequences which can be serious and life-long: Faced with an unprecedented range of choices, young people are often bewildered. The emphasis of safety in current relationships teaching gives them the impression that they can avoid the consequences of choices and it doesn't really matter which choices they make. Using the example of AIDS and pregnancy we remind them that relationship choices can be huge and people often 'reap what they sow'.

Helping them make good choices with good consequences: Through the account of the wise and foolish builders we remind of the need for good foundations in relationships based on the design of marriage and the self-control of keeping sexual intimacy for this special committed relationship. Without these foundations our lives soon coming crashing down around us as the foolish builder discovered.

Studying the nature and promises of marriage: In the final section we look at the design of marriage by watching a clip of the marriage vows, and explain the potential benefits of marriage including the security of friendship, a loving environment for raising children and the right context for sexual intimacy. The presentation closes with a clip of two couples talking about the challenges and highlights of their marriages.

Too Special to Spoil

The purpose of sexual intimacy - bonding and procreation: We explain how we have been designed to experience sexual intimacy in the secure environment of marriage where it can bring great joy and the reward of having children.

The reasons for keeping sexual intimacy for marriage: In contrast to the joy and fruitfulness of intimacy within marriage, we outline the many serious consequences of sex outside marriage. Using clips of personal testimony and quotes from celebrities together with scientific studies, we outline the emotional damage including hurt and regret, and physical damage including sexually transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancy and abortion.

Practical advice: We give helpful advice on those thinking of going out especially on how to avoid being sexually activity or provocative. We encourage them to:

• Show respect to the opposite sex
• Avoid manipulation and be self-controlled
• Decide and keep to boundaries
• Warn them of the dangers of alcohol and pornography