The “Being Human” team within the Evangelical Alliance has recently published their “Relationships Matter” course. It is aimed at encouraging Christians to explore and chat about the subject of sexuality within the culture we live in. Yes, a course inviting discussions about sex among Christians in an open and honest way! A subject that for many of us, perhaps, is quite personal and sometimes complex. Few of us will have heard it discussed deeply enough in our churches.

When I first came across Living Out’s new youth series, Kaleidoscope, I was excited about the project. There have been fantastic courses aimed particularly at adults, but not very many current (or helpful) courses for young people. We desperately need interactive visual media for teenagers to connect with the complex matters of sexuality, gender and faith, especially since many Christians and youth groups shy away from teaching this topic. I’m very pleased to report that Kaleidoscope is a fun and dynamic resource that is pastorally appropriate, relatable and honest.

It is a fundamental belief of evangelical Christians that the Bible is the Word of God, delivered to us through the prophets and the apostles. It is the firm foundation of the Christian faith, which has remained unchanged for more than 2,000 years. That’s why we turn to the Bible to find the answer to every problem we face.

I was brought up by two loving Christian parents. They both worked in full time Christian ministry, so I spent much of my childhood in or around church.

Laura and Mark share, in this article, their experiences of speaking regularly on behalf of TFT.
 

What is it that motivates you?

In Luke 15 we read the parable of the lost sheep and, in many ways, I think this provides a helpful framework for understanding the way western culture encourages the emerging generation to live. We read the story of a shepherd and His flock; the sheep live within the boundaries and safety of the fence; the shepherd tends to and cares for His sheep; the sheep hear His voice and they follow, trusting His leadership and care.

It’s easy to feel churlish about study Bibles. There’s one for every lifestyle and perhaps every season of life, and the differences between them are seldom obvious. For me personally, the idea of purchasing a whole new Bible just to get the 'study bits' offered in its margins is a little ludicrous. But I’ve made an exception for the NIV Upside-Down Kingdom Bible, because it has several features that are of great interest to me as a same-sex attracted person with an admittedly counter-cultural worldview.

Is the risk worth it?
I hope this article encourages those who have been hurt in past friendships and relationships, to stay in community with others. I suggest that committing is worth it, as we take the risk of being open and vulnerable with others.