Review: Kaleidoscope Course

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. Churches and organisations should seriously consider using it, especially in small groups.

Andrew and Ashleigh

From the offset, we are introduced to two presenters, Andrew and Ashleigh, who both share being same-sex attracted.

They speak openly about their experiences growing up, bringing much needed authenticity to speak on matters of sexuality. The six sessions begin with the foundations of Christianity, which demonstrates the thoughtful layout of the course. Each session is a free video, of roughly 25 minutes duration. By answering big questions about who God is and who we are, they give the audience the opportunity to get to know God’s character first and foremost before even addressing the topics of sexuality and gender.

The course includes important discussion times using a simple initial question. I thought it was great to state clearly that youth are to listen well, respecting others and letting everyone have their say; the videos are designed to start conversations and create a safe space for everyone. This sort of language is used a lot in school assemblies and PHSE lessons, and goes a long way in teaching how to communicate well.

Wide audience

Kaleidoscope speaks from a Christian perspective, but very much caters for children of Christian faith, different religions and none.

There’s no assumption of Christian background, which makes it appropriate in any setting. From the third session, this course goes into more depth about practically living out gospel truths. Having carefully laid a biblical foundation, viewers begin to see how following Jesus changes everything, especially regarding singleness and marriage. Friendship is brought to the forefront as essential for our sense of wellbeing, whether we are single or married, and Eleanor’s story is a vital addition to the course.

Gaby and Sean’s testimony is matched alongside Eleanor’s, to demonstrate the option of marriage, but neither are elevated above the other.

The course keeps getting better and better in terms of practically thinking how to live lives that are pleasing to God, as well as, in the fifth and sixth sessions, answering more difficult questions.

Take-home cards

Another wonderful support for each video is the accompanying take-home cards, both for teenagers and their parents.

By assuming parents are involved in conversations on sexuality and gender, Kaleidoscope recognises young people have a wider network. I know it is a small thing to mention, but it is a valuable addition to the course. In fact, I discovered that there was in-depth training for youth leaders, parents and church leaders, all of whom can of course have great impact on a teenager’s life. The materials are thorough and detailed, and all are easily accessible. I must spotlight the section for parents though, as teenagers often shy away from talking to them about these topics. By giving parents a quick introduction to the course, adults will, by the end, confidently know how to support their child. In my experience, getting parents and carers involved is so important!

Personal testimonies

I cannot express how much I enjoyed the personal testimonies shared by other speakers in the sessions.

They were very real and raw (with some jokes here and there!), and yet each person pointed to the goodness of following Jesus. Their stories touched on issues of transgender, same-sex attraction, bisexuality and more. Each one is a story of hope. We live in a world where stories are crucial to demonstrate the power of the gospel, and to see these given a prominent position was excellent.

I would highly recommend the course as a teaching tool for young people, wherever they find themselves with God. It is biblical, faithful, accessible and applicable. I loved it - five out of five stars!

This article was originally published in the Spring 2025 edition of the TFT magazine, Ascend. Click the button below to download your copy.