Dear Parents,
Thank you for allowing us the privilege of partnering with you in the discipleship of your student. We do not take that responsibility or honor lightly.
Throughout this semester, we have been studying 1 Thessalonians verse by verse and asking what it looks like to walk with Jesus each day. This Wednesday, our text is 1 Thessalonians 3:13–4:8, and our big idea is Walk with Purity. In 1 Thessalonians 4:3, Paul writes, “For this is God’s will, your sanctification: that you keep away from sexual immorality.”
I wanted you to know ahead of time because you are your student’s parent and primary discipler. Our ministry exists to come alongside you, not to take your place. Because this is a more sensitive topic, I also want you to know why we are discussing it and how I plan to approach it.
Why are we discussing sexual purity?
First, it’s the next text. One of the benefits of studying a book of the Bible verse by verse is that we don’t skip difficult subjects when they arise. If God has included something in His Word, we want to faithfully understand and apply it in every season of our lives.
Second, our students are already receiving messages about sexuality. Through peers, social media, entertainment, and the broader culture, teenagers regularly encounter ideas about sex, relationships, identity, and purity. Rather than allowing culture to be their primary teacher, we want students to understand God’s good design and what His Word says about honoring Him with their lives and bodies.
How will we approach the topic?
Our ministry includes students from ages 11 to 18, with very different backgrounds and levels of exposure to these subjects. I am very aware of that as I prepare.
I plan to speak honestly, biblically, and age-appropriately. I will not use unnecessarily graphic language or introduce students to sexual behaviors or concepts they may not already know about. My goal is not to create curiosity but to give students a biblical framework for understanding purity and following Jesus.
We will also be careful to communicate grace. Sexual sin is serious, but it is not beyond the forgiveness and restoration of Jesus. We never want a student who has struggled or failed sexually—or who has experienced something that was not their choice—to leave believing they are ruined, dirty, or beyond God’s grace.
I am looking forward to Wednesday night and believe this passage gives us an important opportunity to point our students toward God’s good design for their lives.
If you have questions or concerns, would like to talk more about how we will approach the subject, or would like resources for discussing sexual purity with your student at home, please feel free to call, text, or email me. My phone number is 630-862-1532, and my email is blake@bereafbc.org.
I also understand that you know your student better than anyone. If you believe your student is not ready for this conversation, I encourage you to prayerfully consider what is best for them.
Below, I have included the general outline of Wednesday’s message so you can see specifically what we will be teaching.
Thank you for trusting us to partner with you.
Blake
Sermon Outline
Big Idea: God wants you to walk with purity
Definition of sexual immorality – any sexual act, with the mind or the body, that happens outside of the marriage of one naturally born man and one naturally born woman.
Matthew 5:27-30: Adultery and sexual immorality start in the heart. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
Examples: looking at someone inappropriately, crossing a physical boundary with someone, watching something you shouldn’t on your phone or on TV, sending inappropriate pictures or texts, a romantic relationship with the same gender.
Why does God take sexual immorality so seriously?
-It’s a sin against God (Psalm 51), it’s a sin against another person (1 Thessalonians 4:6), and a sin against yourself (1 Corinthians 6:18)
-Like all sin, it separates us from God. It’s why David writes, “restore the joy of your salvation.”
-It brings inner turmoil—shame, guilt, lack of peace (Psalm 32:3-4)
-It’s destructive to every area of your life (Proverbs 6:32)
Illustration: Treating an infection. (God takes sexual immorality seriously because it’s an infection that will spread if you don’t treat it.)
Definition of sexual purity: Lining up your sexual thoughts, desires, and behaviors with God’s standard of one naturally born man and one naturally born woman in marriage for life.
-As believers, we are called to purity. It’s an innocence, an unstained heart, mind, and soul.
Illustration: Washing colors and whites separately. (Image of purity)
Choose whom you will serve – “Choose this day whom you will serve.” (Joshua 24:15)
Walk by the Holy Spirit – “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16).
Walk toward Jesus – Jesus said, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will not hunger or thirst” (John 6:35).
Build in Accountability – “Iron sharpens iron, so one sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17).
Refuse the temptation – “7and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he refused. “With me in charge,” he told her, “my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care.” (Genesis 39:7-8).
Run like your life depends on it – Paul says, “Flee from sexual immorality” (1 Corinthians 6:18).
Illustration: David and Bathsheba vs. Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife
What do I do if I have messed up and committed sexual sin?
Recognize you missed the mark – “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.” (Psalm 51:3).
Turn to Jesus; He’s right there waiting for you– “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8).
Confess your sin to God
Conviction – Confession = Living in Shame
Conviction + Confession = Redemption
Remember: Failure is not Final
INVITATION