I Wish I Had Heard This Earlier

The reason Song of Solomon for Students started was the regular and frequent response of people to Tommy Nelson at our adult conferences of "I wish I had heard this earlier."

We started doing live student conferences, which we now call "It's Worth the Wait," years ago. They were incredibly well received, but then we sensed some leadership and started getting requests to give parents help on how to teach and train their own children in the area of sexuality. We love sharing truth, teaching God's Word, and interacting with parents at our "Parent Track!" Is it awkward and uncomfortable to do this with your kids—YES! Did you do everything right as a student when you dated—NO! Will there be times of push back by your students or maybe when it becomes uncomfortable for you—probably! Stay engaged; this is part of your calling as parents!

What it looks like practically when you engage your kid in this area:

• You ask questions, and you discuss sexual issues with your kids.  One of the good friends of our ministry, Marilyn Morris, of Aim for Success, says, “The more you talk about sexual issues in the home through what you see in culture, movies, and media this generation—the more normative it will become for you and your kid to discuss the critical area.”  The internet, television, news, magazines, friends, and school situations are pushing sexual discussion and solutions we could never agree with, and yet, Christian churches and homes are often silent, or barely talking on this front.  Why?  Especially when we have this beautiful book of poetry called the Song of Solomon that shows students what to look for and be attracted to, and how to respond to the opposite sex in the context of dating and courtship, and this beautiful picture of sexuality in the context of marriage, where it belongs.  It’s not if your kids will learn about sex, but who will teach them.  We help parents through the teaching in our Parent Track, but we vote you!
• For this season of life, open up your home!  We value and encourage “group dating” because students get to know each other best in this context without sexual pressure or temptation.  Make your home the place where your kids and their friends want to hang out—not the mall or the movie theatre. 
• Pray for your children daily—there is no substitute for this.  It works as you “cover” your children on your knees.