What age should parents speak to their child about sexual issues?

A Christian parent should be the first person to speak with their child about these issues. The best age to discuss these matters varies from child to child but if a parent is going to err, they should err on the side of bringing up the matter too soon rather than too late. Ensuring that the lines of communication are open and honest between a parent and child is paramount. A parent must vigilantly remain aware of the questions and curiosities of their child(ren) and speak with frank biblical wisdom like the dad in Proverbs. Lastly, a godly parent should never shame or embarrass their child while speaking on this subject, but treat them as an emerging fellow adult. As a general rule, the beginning of sexual dialogue with a child should begin at a very young age, concerning what is inappropriate touch to help prevent sexual abuse www.kidsneedtoknow.com, and grow to include romantic and other physical touch along with biological changes by age ten. Discussing how God created sex for a married man and woman, and the changes that God created our bodies to go through as we develop, can help them see sexuality as normal, safe, and beautiful inside the marriage covenant. If you are establishing a trust in God and the Word from an early age, they will more naturally trust your words as they align with the Bible. Sadly, the average boy sees his first Internet pornography by age eleven, which means waiting until later than age ten is often too late to establish a solid biblical foundation for sexuality because the first bricks are already laid by the world.

[Source]: Mission and Vision blog

Halloween: Should You or Shouldn't You?

As a Christian, it's often difficult to come to the right conclusion about what to do about Halloween.  One extreme is to view it as entirely pagan, choose not to participate at all, and shun those who do.  The other extreme is not to use any spiritual discernment whatsoever and submerse your kids in every aspect of the Halloween festivities.

Here are a few articles to help you find a balanced approach for you and your children this year...

Trick or Treat for Jesus?  The History: Part 1

Trick or Treat for Jesus?  Engaging/Disengaging Culture: Part 2

Trick or Treat for Jesus?  Redeeming Halloween: Part 3

Halloween Fast Approaches by Tim Challies

Knowing Right from Wrong

How can you as a parent teach your child to be discerning?  How can you help them know the difference between right and wrong?

Obviously, the first place to start is Scripture.  Much of what they need to know is already laid out for them in detail through God's Word.  For example, if your child tells a lie, you as their parent need to open Ephesians 4:25 and teach them, "Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another."

Or if your teenager is struggling with sexual sin, they need to know what God's view is in 1 Thessalonians 4:3, "For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality."

Yet, the Bible does not mention every issue specifically.  How do we determine God's will in those areas where the Bible seems to be grey?  Jerry Bridges, in his book The Pursuit of Holiness, says that we can ask four questions based on three verses in 1 Corinthians.

"Everything is permissible for me - but not everything is beneficial." (1 Cor. 6:12)

• Question #1: Is it helpful - physically, spiritually, and mentally?
  

"Everything is permissible for me - but I will not be mastered by anything." (1 Cor. 6:12)

• Question #2: Does it bring me under its power?

"Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall." (1 Cor. 8:13)

• Question #3: Does it hurt others?

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." (1 Cor. 10:31)

• Question #4: Does it glorify God?

You can teach your child to know the difference between right and wrong by first pointing them to Christ and the Scriptures.  However, if there are grey areas that are difficult to determine, teach them to ask these four questions according to each situation.