Session 4: The Sexualization of Children
Book: Chapter 6
Workbook: Lesson 6
Welcome to Session 4 of the We Will Not Be Silenced Online Course.
“Perhaps nowhere do we see the work of Satan in America as clearly as we do in the sexualization of children — destroying their identity, confusing their gender, and creating unresolved guilt and self-hatred. Jesus warned, ‘Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea"‘(Matthew 18:5-6)” (p. 156).
Only one chapter for the book and workbook was intentionally included for this session. This is to allow you time to read, process, and understand all that Pastor Lutzer mentions as he talks about the sexualization of children. This chapter leaves many with a broken heart as the evil intent to sexualize children is exposed. Thankfully, we can approach this sensitive topic with God as our guide.
When we raise children, we have no idea who they will become as adults. What we do know is that God holds parents and caregivers responsible for directing and teaching children to go in the right direction. This is both a great opportunity and great responsibility.
The attack on sexual identity is an attack on the reliability of God's Word. In Genesis, we read, “In the beginning, God created...” When children are instructed to question God and His creation, and encouraged to create an identity for themselves, the veracity of God is also called into question. Throughout the study, multiple examples are given to demonstrate how this very thing is being played out in our culture today. As Pastor Lutzer says, “Once you leave God out, everything becomes permissible.”
Before starting the study make note of a few questions to keep in mind as you read:
How can I encourage, direct and protect children in a culture that works to disrupt their identity?
How can I proactively invest in the children entrusted to my care?
How can I guard children?
What does this chapter mean for me?
Pastor Lutzer asks all readers to take note of the prayer on pages 173-174. Make that prayer your own. Write it out and pray often for the children in your life. Let the children in your life hear you pray for them.
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Helpful Resources
Scripture To Meditate On
“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” —Colossians 2:8
Scripture References
Matthew 18:5–6
Matthew 19:14
Romans 1:21–25
Proverbs 4:19
Matthew 11:28–29
Ezekiel 16:21
2 Timothy 3:13–15