Here you'll find our top picks for resources on relationships and boy / girl stuff.
BOOKS
Sex God - Rob Bell
I’ve seen this really successfully used in a book study with a group who were just exploring Christianity. Rob Bell’s stuff is really approachable, and at the same time really strongly scriptural. It checks out the connections between our sexuality and spirituality in a conversational and easy-to-read manner. Must-have.
Every Young Man’s Battle & Every Young Woman’s Battle - Shannon Ethridge and Stephen Arterburn
To any youth struggling with purity against sexual temptation, these books will be incredibly helpful. They’ve become pretty standard recommendations in the guy/girl book stakes, but that’s because they’re good. It’s both realistic and biblical, and puts your relationship with Jesus at the front.
Wild at Heart - John and Stasi Eldredge
These are also good springboards for small group discussions, and are available with a small group kit. They get deep into the whole ‘why are men men and women women’ debate without being boring or dry, with lots of stories and illustrations. Some people do think they’re a bit mushy, so probably best for more mature youth.
Redefining Beautiful - Jenna & Max Lucado
This one’s hot off the press, and it’s a girl-dad written combo (cute and cool at the same time!). It’s quite similar to “Captivating” – looking at the true meaning of beauty, and helping young women see themselves through God’s eyes rather than the eyes of the world. This one’s for the girls, by the way.
Boundaries in Dating - Henry Cloud and John Townsend
Yup, it’s one of those Boundaries books you’ve seen floating around for years – but this time it’s actually for you, not about marriage or parenting! (Married people, go find Boundaries in Marriage). I think most of us get a bit confused around the whole dating thing, and this is more than just a rulebook. It’ll help you sort it out.
I Kissed Dating Goodbye - Joshua Harris
This has been around for a while now, revised and updated a few times, and it’s still totally legit. Harris wrote this when he was 21, so he knows what’s going on. It shows how dating for Christians can be totally counter-cultural, with honest, practical advice. I like.
God Girl & God Guy - Hayley/Michael DiMarco
These still have the little ‘new’ flag beside them on Koorong, and I have to admit I haven’t laid hands on a copy yet. But from the write-ups and the authors’ previous work, they should be pretty solid.
The Volunteers Back Pocket Guide to Sex - Group/Craig Gross and Cris Logan
The authors honestly tackle the toughest topics, including pornography, sexuality, masturbation, and purity. Using God's truth as the foundation, they'll equip you with practical information and powerful strategies to help you become a volunteer youth worker who helps teenagers live wisely and walk in freedom!