Chastity Lesson
Idea for Value Lesson on Chastity
(From a member of the ldscn YW's List)
I taught a chastity lesson awhile back. I did not want to preachy, so I did it as a choice and accountability lesson. I had a piece of paper and wrote on one side a positive statement and on the other side a negative statement....for example:
1) What could be the consequences of regularly associating with young people of questionable moral charter?
What could be the consequences of not associating with such young people
1) What could be the consequences of dating a young man who does not have the same belief and values you do?
What could be the consequences of dating a young man who does?
1) Where do you think you might be in 3 years if you let your morality slide?
2) Where do you think you might be in 3 years if you live strong moral standards?
I asked about 6 questions like that and handed a piece of paper to different girls. They basically taught themselves. It helped them to think ahead instead of being focused on today. We also talked about kids at their school who were not of good moral character and
how they saw them. Those that struggled were supported by those that were strong. Hearts were softened and I felt the girls counseled each other, instead of me preaching to them.
Once they finished their discussion, I asked them to turn to the scriptures to help them build a solid foundation for their discussion and to give them spiritual guidance in their new realizations of good choices and being chaste.
Jacob 2: 28 "For I, the Lord God, delight in the chastity of women...." There are many references to chastity in the scripture in the topical guide that I used to help support this.
A good story to share with them is the story of Joseph in Genesis. He became the ruler of Potiphar’s house. Potiphar was impressed with Joseph and he saw the Lord was with him and made him overseer over his house. And he left all he had in Joseph's hands. Potiphar’s wife also was impressed with Joseph, but not in the same way. She tempted Joseph and and asked him to, "Lie with me."
How did Joseph react? (ask the girls and then have one read the scripture) "There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife; how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?"
Genesis 39:9
How do you think you would react? I had them ask themselves, "How can I do this great wickedness and give up my chastity and sin against God?" (sounds harsh, but it was done with the right spirit and the girls said it hit them with more impact than they have ever
felt). Then we talked about marriage and what being true and chaste means, and how that will affect us.
I finished by letting them know that the Lord has set boundaries for passion. We do not have to kill our passions, but bridle them until marriage. We can love each other, hug, be affectionate with good morality. But the Lord has strictly counseled us that affection that
leads to intimacy is strictly for a man and woman bound by marriage. (reference: The Proclamation to the World on Families).
I've seen some real turn around in some of the girls who are 17 and struggling with morality. I've also seen the MiaMaids supporting the Laurels in their dating choices. It's been amazing seeing these girls stand together for chastity.