Talking to Kids About What the Bible Says About Masturbation | Foundation Worldview Podcast Ep 46

Summary

In this episode of the Foundation Worldview Podcast, Elizabeth Urbanowicz tackles the sensitive topic of masturbation from a biblical perspective, offering guidance for parents to discuss sexuality with their children. She emphasizes the importance of addressing the topic early, around ages 10 or 11, as society and schools often introduce such topics at a young age. Urbanowicz explains that masturbation does not align with the biblical purposes of sex—procreation, intimacy between spouses, and reflecting the relationship between Christ and the Church. She encourages parents to establish a biblical foundation, ensuring they are the primary influence on their children's understanding of sexuality.

Takeaways

• 😀 Parents should aim to have discussions about sex and sexuality with their children by age 10 or 11 due to the pervasive influence of modern culture on these topics.
• 😀 The podcast emphasizes that the role of teaching children about sensitive topics, such as sex, lies with parents, not ministry leaders or educators.
• 😀 Sex education in schools, such as activities categorizing sexual behaviors by risk, is concerning and emphasizes the importance of parental involvement in these conversations.
• 😀 The biblical purpose of sex is threefold: to be fruitful and multiply, to enable intimate knowledge between a husband and wife, and to reflect the union between Christ and the church.
• 😀 Masturbation does not fulfill the biblical purposes of sex, as it does not lead to procreation, intimate bonding between spouses, or reflect the relationship between Christ and the church.
• 😀 Masturbation is portrayed as self-worship rather than honoring God or reflecting His design for marriage and sexuality.
• 😀 The podcast stresses the importance of addressing these topics early, as children will encounter these ideas from their peers or media if not properly guided by their parents.
• 😀 When discussing masturbation with children, parents should focus on explaining that it does not fulfill the biblical purposes of sex, including procreation and intimate connection within marriage.
• 😀 The idea of sex as bonding (chemically and emotionally) is important to discuss, particularly the dangers of breaking bonds that could affect future marriage relationships.
• 😀 The podcast encourages parents to lay a strong biblical foundation for understanding sexuality, so that children are prepared to engage with these ideas when they encounter them in secular or even church contexts.

Q & A

Why should we start talking to our children about masturbation at an earlier age?

The world is changing, and children are exposed to sexual content at a younger age. By the time children are 10 or 11 years old, it's important to address topics like masturbation to equip them to understand God's design for sexuality and to counteract the influence of secular perspectives.

What is the biblical purpose of sex according to the script?

The biblical purposes of sex are: 1) To be fruitful and multiply, bringing forth children. 2) For a husband and wife to know each other intimately. 3) To paint a picture of the relationship between Christ and the church.

How does understanding the biblical purpose of sex help in discussing masturbation?

By understanding that the biblical purpose of sex involves being fruitful and multiplying, knowing one another intimately, and reflecting the union between Christ and the church, we can see that masturbation does not fulfill these purposes, as it is a solitary act.

Why does masturbation not fulfill the biblical purpose of being fruitful and multiplying?

Masturbation is a solitary act that does not involve a spouse or the potential for procreation. It cannot fulfill the command to be fruitful and multiply as it does not result in the creation of children.

Does masturbation help spouses to know one another intimately?

No, masturbation does not involve the interaction between spouses. The biblical purpose of sex is for a husband and wife to intimately know each other, which masturbation does not facilitate.

How does masturbation fail to paint a picture of Christ and the church?

Masturbation is a solitary act, which contrasts with the biblical idea of sex being a union between a husband and wife. It fails to reflect the relationship between Christ and the church, which is depicted through the marital bond.

What is the danger of sex outside of the marriage covenant, including masturbation?

Any sex outside of the marriage covenant, including masturbation, is seen as idolatry because it involves worshiping oneself rather than honoring God. It also disrupts the ability to bond with a spouse and leads to spiritual and relational harm.

How does idolatry relate to the consequences of masturbation and other sexual activities outside marriage?

Idolatry leads to spiritual death, as explained in Romans 8. When sexual acts are outside of God's design, like masturbation, they disrupt the intended bond between husband and wife, and hinder the ability to form lasting, godly relationships.

What should parents teach their children about masturbation when discussing it at a young age?

Parents should explain that masturbation does not fulfill the biblical purposes of sex—being fruitful and multiplying, knowing a spouse intimately, or reflecting the union between Christ and the church. This provides a clear understanding of why it goes against God's design for sexuality.

Why is it important for parents, not ministry leaders or teachers, to talk to their children about masturbation and sexuality?

Parents are the primary authority in guiding their children's understanding of sex and sexuality. While ministry leaders can support and encourage parents, it is the parent's responsibility to have these discussions and lay a biblical foundation for their children.