Living Out Podcast

In this show we discuss how to support young people who are experiencing same-sex attraction or questioning their sexuality. We look at how to understand the young person's experience and how to respond when they come out to you.In the second half of the episode we look at how we disciple and offer ongoing support to young people who are struggling with their sexuality.Discussion questionsHas there been a time when you have had to share something deeply personal with someone else? Were you uncertain or afraid about how they might respond? What about those experiences might help us to respond well to teens who come out to us?How have we responded to teens who have come out to us in the past? What can we learn from these experiences?How are we discipling our teens on an ongoing basis? What else could we do?Resources mentioned and relatedYouth Leaders' Crash Course podcast pageComing Out – Some Advice for Christians Andrew BuntWhat to say if a young person ‘comes out’ in conversation with you Andrew BuntLiving In A Gray World Preston SprinkleLiving In A Gray World: A Review Ashleigh HullWhat Does God Really Say About Sexuality? (Explore Questions #1) The Living Out TeamShould Conversion Therapy Be Banned? (Questions No One Wants To Answer #1) The Living Out Team

We talk about how we as youth leaders can prepare ourselves and our churches to care for all young people, especially in the area of sexuality. We discusss the importance of modelling godly discipleship ourselves and creating an honest and safe culture for young people to share their struggles.We also look at how we can engage well with parents and church leaders, communicate sensitively and ensure that youth work is an integral part of the whole life of the church.This episode features a bonus interview with Tim Alford, National Director of Limitless, the youth and children’s movement of the Elim Pentecostal Churches. He is also youth leader at The Source Church in Malvern and a Youth Ministry Specialist Lecturer.Discussion questionsWhat do we need to do to prepare ourselves as youth leaders?What do we need to do to prepare our youth group?How can we engage well with parents and carers?How can we engage well with our church leaders?Resources mentioned and relatedYouth Leaders' Crash Course podcast page10 Questions Every Teen Should Ask (and Answer) about Christianity Rebecca McLaughlin10 Questions Every Teen Should Ask (and Answer) About Christianity: A Review Andrew BuntWhen Children Come Out – A Guide for Christian Parents Mark A. Yarhouse and Olya Zaporozhets

In this show the team discuss how we can teach on biblical sexuality to our young people. We talk about the importance of painting the bigger picture of sexuality throughout Scripture and setting it in the context of God's heart for his people and the gospel which is good news for everyone.We discuss how to tackle the passages that specifically mention homosexuality and give some ideas of things to think about when teaching young people about sex. We also discuss lots of tricky questions that we've been asked and think about how to handle them in a clear, biblical and compassionate way.Discussion questionsDo you have a good understanding of what the Bible says about sexuality? If not, what’s your next step in learning?How can you teach this in a way that doesn’t compromise on truth, but also extends grace and sensitivity to your various listeners?How would you answer the common questions raised in this episode? (Perhaps practice on each other!)Resources mentioned and relatedYouth Leaders' Crash Course podcast pageWhat Is Sexuality for? Ed ShawWhat Does God Really Say About Sexuality? (Explore Questions #1)Straight Youth Leader, Please Teach on Sexuality Ashleigh HullEvaluating the Top Biblical Affirming Arguments Andrew BuntIsn’t the Christian Sexual Ethic Harmful and Repressive? Andrew BuntIsn’t God Being Unfair?Christian + Same-Sex Attracted: Is It Doable?Is My Sexuality Who I Am? Andrew BuntAren’t We Just Picking Which Bits of the Old Testament Law Apply Today? Sam AllberryLessons from a Week Teaching Teenagers About Sex Andrew BuntLiving in a Gray World Preston SprinklePurposeful Sexuality Ed ShawMarriage as a TrailerThe Prodigal Prophet Tim Keller (quote from p.138)

In this show, we critique some of the commonly held cultural views such as 'I'm inherently good and know what’s best for me'; 'I won't be happy unless I embrace and act on my desires'; 'Love equals complete acceptance'; 'If something’s not hurting anyone, it can’t be wrong' and 'Porn is an expression of normal sexuality'.We think about ther kernels of truth underlying some of these ideas whilst highlighting the damage they've often caused and pointing to biblical truth as a better narrative.Discussion questionsWhich of the ideas raised in this episode do you find most challenging to teach on? Why?Which of these ideas is most relevant for/prevalent among the teens in your group?How can you begin to teach on these ideas?Resources mentioned and relatedYouth Leaders' Crash Course podcast pageThe Righteous Mind Jonathan HaidtThe Case Against the Sexual Revolution Louise PerryThe Coddling of the American Mind  Jonathan Haidt and Greg LukianoffTheology in the Raw podcast #1004 – The Coddling of the American Mind Greg Lukianoff with Preston SprinkleConfronting Porn Paula HallStrange New World Carl R. TruemanDifferent for Boys: A Review Ed ShawThe Plausibility Problem Ed ShawThe Plausibility Problem podcast seriesStraight Youth Leader, Please Teach on Sexuality Ashleigh HullThe Courage to Warn Anne Witton

The Emerging Generations team discuss the need to understand the culture that our young people are steeped in so that we can be more effective in communicating biblical truth about sexuality.We look at Jonathan Haidt's moral matrix to understand the values that shape our young peoples' moral decisions and see that they care about harm, fairness and freedom. We reflect on how we can listen well, find common ground and show how the Bible ultimately answers the questions that young people care about.This episode features a bonus interview with Mike Snowdon who has 15 years of experience as a youth pastor, speaker, student worker and resource creator.Discussion questionsWhere are your teens in terms of sexuality? What are the specific ideas they hold to?What’s the impact of these ideas on individuals, gay or straight?How might you begin to respond to the messages of our culture?Resources mentioned and relatedYouth Leaders' Crash Course podcast page (including Moral Matrix graphic)The Righteous Mind Jonathan HaidtThe Ultimate Heartstopper Andrew BuntiGen Jean M. TwengeDifferent for Boys: A Review Ed ShawA New Freedom Mike SnowdonA New Freedom websiteHelp - I’m a Youth Leader! Ed ShawRelease Patrick NessSex Education Netflix

In the last of our current series – going through the missteps identified in The Plausibility Problem by Ed Shaw – we discuss whether suffering can and should be avoided. We share our own painful experiences and examine why some argue that the suffering of celibate same-sex attracted Christians is a reason to abandon traditional biblical teaching on sexual ethics.We go on to show that suffering is a normal part of following Jesus, whether you're gay or straight, single or married. We look at some of the reasons why God allows us to suffer and the joys and benefits that we receive precisely because we suffer.We also look at practical things that help us when we're struggling and ways that we can use our pain to love and serve others.Resources mentioned and relatedThe Plausibility Problem Ed ShawThe Plausibility Problem: A Review Steve WardSupport to Grieve Anne WittonYou Only Live Once. Really? Adam CurtisKitchen Floors and Gethsemane Andy RobinsonWhat's Good About Struggling With Same-sex Attraction? Anne WittonChildlessness Anne WittonAnne and Abby on Their Community House Anne WittonSharing Life Together Anne WittonConfronting Christianity Rebecca McLaughlinDark Clouds, Deep Mercy Mark Vroegop

Today we unpick some of the cultural assumptions about sex being a need which underpin the idea that celibacy is bad for you. We discuss the problems with the view that sex is the only form of intimacy, sex is just about pleasure and sexual expression is core to our identity.We examine some faulty interpretations of significant Bible passages on sexual desire and show that the Holy Spirit enables us to live fulfilled lives as celebate people who enjoy God, his people and his creation.Resources mentioned and relatedThe Plausibility Problem Ed ShawThe Plausibility Problem: A Review Steve WardMarriage: God’s Solution to Sexual Temptation? Dani TreweekWhat is the Gift of Singleness? Andrew Bunt Finding Your Best Identity Andrew Bunt Finding Your Best Identity: A Review Alicia Barwick The Case Against the Sexual Revolution Louise PerryThe Case Against the Sexual Revolution: A Review Ed Shaw The Mental Health and Well-Being of Celibate Gay Christians Mark Yarhouse and Olya Zaporozhets Hey, Single Christian. Your Celibacy Isn't Extraordinary Dani Treweek Hey Single Christian. Your Celibacy is Uniquely Meaningful Dani Treweek 

What is godliness and what does it look like for people who experience opposite-sex and same-sex attraction? That's the question we explore today.We also look at why the idea that godliness for a gay Christian means developing heterosexual desires is unhelpful and unbiblical.Resources mentioned and relatedThe Plausibility Problem Ed ShawThe Plausibility Problem: A Review Steve WardWhat Does God Really Say About Sexuality? (Explore Questions #1)Called to be Holy and Blameless Andrew Bunt Putting My Armour On Anne WittonA Bible Chapter for Same-sex Attracted Christians Andrew BuntWhat's Good About Struggling With Same-sex Attraction? Anne Witton Does Living Out Support ‘Gay Cure’ or ‘Reparative Therapy’? Ed Shaw Can Your Sexuality Change? Peter Ould Gay Girl Good God Jackie Hill PerryGay Girl, Good God: A Review Adam Curtis The Heart of Christ in Heaven towards Sinners on Earth Thomas GoodwinGentle and Lowly Dane OrtlundGod Has a Name John Mark ComerPrecious Remedies Against Satan's Devices Thomas Brooks

In this episode we discuss how the Bible upholds the view that men and women have absolutely equal value and dignity, looking at how Jesus treated women and recognising the role that women played in his ministry and the growth of the early church. We also contrast Jesus' example of servant leadership with some of the power struggles in church and society today.We suggest how we can push back against gender stereotypes and promote body positivity to value the diverse experinces, interests and skills of both genders.We also discuss the genuine differences between women and men which mean that we aren't simply interchangeable, and look at how we can work in cooperation rather than competition with each other.Resources mentioned and relatedThe Plausibility Problem Ed ShawThe Plausibility Problem: A Review Steve WardWhat Should We Do With Gender Stereotypes?  Andrew BuntWhat Do ‘Man’ and ‘Woman’ Mean? Rebecca McLaughlinCrafts, Cream Teas and Chrysanthemums? How We Can Run Better Women’s Events Anne WittonEmbodied Preston SprinkleEmbodied: A Review Andrew Bunt What God Has to Say About Our Bodies Sam AllberryWhat God Has to Say About Our Bodies: A Review Dan Reid Liberated Karen SooleA Brief Theology of Periods (Yes, Really) Rachel JonesA Brief Theology of Periods (Yes, Really): A Review Anne Witton The Case Against the Sexual Revolution Louise PerryThe Case Against the Sexual Revolution: A Review Ed ShawAre Women Human? Dorothy L. SayersMarriage as a TrailerWhat Is Sexuality for? Ed Shaw 

The team critique our cultural idolatry of sex and romance, which has also pervaded the church. We talk about why the assumption that sex is vital for human flourishing is so damaging and look at the impact it has on friendship, singleness and marriage.We see how the Bible challenges our cultural obsession with sex and explore how we can foster deep, non-sexual intimacy with God and others in Christian community.Resources mentioned and relatedThe Plausibility Problem Ed ShawThe Plausibility Problem: A Review Steve WardHave You Been Intimate with Anyone Recently? Andrew BuntHow Can You Live Life Without Sex? Ed ShawPower in the Mundane Andrew BuntJesus on Friendship Andrew BuntMade for Friendship Drew HunterMade for Friendship: A Review Natalie WilliamsTrue Friendship Vaughan RobertsTrue Friendship: A Review Stuart FergusonLonging for Intimacy Amy RiordanLonging for Intimacy: A Review Anne Witton