Today I want to speak to parents of young children. If you want your child to remain pure in adolescence don’t wait until they are a teen to teach them about purity.

I once heard a quote that said, “If you don’t teach your children to follow God the world will teach them not to.” Recently someone told me it is not uncommon for elementary aged children to be engaging in sexual activity. I was so shocked by this I went online to try to find statistical data to validate the claim. While I was not able to find statistics specific to elementary aged children I did find an article at http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/ which states:

• “Six percent of all U.S. high school students had sexual intercourse before age 13.”
• “Data are limited on sexual behaviors of middle school students. Based on an average of reports from 10 states and 6 large local school districts, 19.8 percent of middle schoolers have ever had sexual intercourse.”
• “In the United States, 46 percent of all high school age students, and 62 percent of high school seniors, have had sexual intercourse.”  

As Christian parents, how do we protect our children from becoming a statistic?

• First, instill a love for God and His Word from infancy. While we cannot guarantee the path our children will choose we have a limited time of being the main influence in their lives. Use this time wisely. Find ways to make His Word come alive for them and help them build a solid foundation in Christ so that their faith is THEIR faith, not just your faith. Don’t rely on Sunday School or Children’s church to be their only spiritual training. Have a daily devotional time with your children.  
• Second, be their example. The idea of “do as I say, not as I do” is hypocritical. Live what you teach. Let them see the model of a Godly womom or man through you. 
• Third, If possible I recommend sending your child to a Christian school or home schooling them. I realize this isn’t financially feasible for everyone, but imagine how confusing it must be for a child when they are being taught conflicting values in school. Know what your child is being taught. I was surprised to learn that the topics of heterosexual, homosexual and bisexual lifestyles are consided “age appropriate” at the age of 5-8 years old. (According to KidsHealth.org) As a parent you have the right to know what your child is being taught in school so you can then discuss these topics with them from a Biblical perspective.
• Fourth, know their friends AND their parents. By “know” I don’t mean as a casual acquaintance. If you allow your child to spend the night with another child without knowing the value and character of that family you are risking their safety. It’s your obligation to protect them, even if it seems like you are being overprotective.  
• Last but not least, PRAY for and with your children every day. God has a plan and a purpose for their lives. Cover them under the wings of the Almighty.