We’ve become timid about addressing hard topics with
children. The pattern of Scripture is for parents and spiri-
tual leaders to talk with children, sometimes very young
children, about the meaning of marriage, the purpose of sex,
sexual purity, and the biblical roles of husband and wife, as
well as adultery, homosexuality, and divorce.
You don’t need to wonder what you should talk with your
children about. Just follow God’s lead. Cover the topics he
covers with children. You have the critical job of articulat-
ing and embodying a biblical vision of marriage to your
children.
3. BEGIN TRAINING EARLY
Our sex-saturated culture has 24/7 access to our children
through technology as well as a public school system that
teaches unbiblical views about marriage and gender. This
necessitates early and regular conversations with our chil-
dren on subjects that previous generations could postpone.
Major exposure to sexual content and erroneous views of
marriage occurs for many children in the early
grade school years.
While the Bible does not dictate a
specific age to begin talking about these
topics, it does provide a pattern: early
and often. Paul says to Timothy, “From
childhood you have been acquainted with
the sacred writings, which are able to
make you wise for salvation through faith
in Jesus Christ” (2 Tim 3:15).
Don’t wait to address marriage in the teen
or early adult years. The teen years are the time
to put the finishing touches on a conversation that started
when your children were young.
What can parents use to talk about this subject with
children? Here are five suggestions:
• Shared experiences. My wife and I purposefully take our
children to weddings, creating an opportunity to talk
about God’s design for marriage.
• Television shows. What do your kids see on TV or movies
that require discussion or can be used intentionally?
Disney movies provide plenty of opportunities to talk
about marriage.
• Books. We had great discussions with our children when
we read the Little House on the Prairie series, and Laura
married Almanzo.
• Toys. Barbies and dolls are great discussion starters
for girls.
28
• Scripture. As you read through the Bible with chil-
dren, discuss the passages that address marriage,
dating, and purity.
Opportunities to talk about marriage, dating, and purity
occur often. Your job is to recognize them and capitalize on
them. Preparation for marriage can begin today as you teach
your child biblical principles about marriage, pray for your
child’s future spouse, and help your child protect his or her
heart from sexual immorality.
For an additional resource, see Preparing Children for
Marriage: How to Teach God’s Good Design for Marriage, Sex,
Purity, and Dating on Amazon.com.
Dr. Josh Mulvihill is the Executive Director of Church and Family
Ministry at Renewanation. He served as a pastor for nearly 20
years and helped launch The Legacy Coalition, a ministry that
equips grandparents to pass faith on to future generations. He
holds a Ph.D. from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He
is the author of Biblical Grandparenting and Preparing Children
for Marriage. Josh is married to Jen, and they have five children.
Connect with Josh on Twitter at @DrJoshMulvihill.
FOOTNOTES
1. “New Report Finds Young People Troubled by Romantic Relationships and
Widespread Sexual Harassment,” Making Caring Common, May 17, 2017,
accessed May 26, 2017, https://mcc.gse.harvard.edu/files/gse-mcc/files/
mcc_the_talk_pr_final_0.pdf.
Your children will make few
decisions more important than
their decision to marry.
But they must make other choices before then:
decisions about purity, dating, and their roles as
men and women. Are they prepared? In this highly
practical guide, Dr. Josh Mulvihill lays out a bibli-
cally grounded plan for preparing young children
for later challenges. Parents, grandparents, and
others in the church will learn how to bring the
truth home by starting the conversation with
their children early and returning to it often.
1-855-TO-RENEW or [email protected]