You may have seen reports yesterday of families across Texas receiving mail addressed to their kids from a trans activist group. This group is promoting LGBTQ-affirming messages and even encouraging students to become emancipated from their parents and seek care out of state.

Friends, the church needs to be talking to our kids about gender, sexuality, and what a biblical worldview teaches about these things. The world certainly isn’t silent on these topics.

Many kids and teens are struggling with mental health, wrestling with their identity, or simply have questions about sexuality and LGBTQ that Christian may not be addressing. We need to provide places teens can ask these questions and learn about biblical sexuality without fear or shame. And we need to be ready to have these discussions and know that God’s Word has answers.

We can use these mailers as an opportunity to talk to our kids about what Scripture teaches about gender, identity, and God’s design for sex and marriage. We can discuss the message our culture is sending about where to find purpose, meaning, and belonging. Because their message will only lead to more confusion. Jesus says, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Our kids need to know who they are, whose they are, and where their hope is found so they can trust Jesus and have that abundant life.

I want to share some resources to help equip you as parents, including books for kids who have questions, are struggling with same sex attraction or gender dysphoria, feel pressure from peers to adopt labels like bisexual to fit in, or just want to know what the Bible says. Because, as Chris Morphew writes, “In an era where taking Jesus seriously can feel isolating and controversial, it can be easy to wonder if it’s worth it.”

We should take seriously the messages our children are receiving, let them know they can come to us with their questions without fear or shame, and help them understand what Scripture teaches and why this all matters.

RESOURCES on Biblical Sexuality

For Adults:

TO BE A WOMAN by Katie McCoy — The BEST book I’ve read on how our culture has arrived in such a place of gender confusion, and understanding the thinking behind those who are pro-LGBTQ and why they consider non-affirming to be violent or offensive. Dr. Katie McCoy also shares what Scripture and science have to say on the matter. And how we can respond in a Christlike way to loved ones struggling with gender identity.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF PROGRESSIVE CHRISTIANITY by Michael Kruger – Progressive (or liberal) Christianity is a framework and worldview, like any religion, that is being pushed in mainstream media. But it’s not based on any objective truth. It’s rooted in expressive individualism. This booklet helps us understand why liberal Christians think the way they do.

DOES THE BIBLE AFFIRM SAME-SEX RELATIONSHIPS by Rebecca McLaughlin — Looks at common reasons used to claim that the Bible affirms same-sex sexual relationships.

DOES GOD CARE ABOUT GENDER IDENTITY? by Sinclair Ferguson — Is being male or female a feeling or a bodily reality and identity bestowed by our Creator? Ferguson compassionately walks alongside those struggling with their identity.

FOR TEENS:

THE SECULAR CREED by Rebecca McLaughlin — Best for older teens. Rebecca argues that Christianity is the original source and firmest foundation of true diversity, equality, and life-transforming love. And that you will not find these things in the creed that our secular society holds to.

MORE TO THE STORY: DEEP ANSWERS TO REAL QUESTIONS ABOUT ATTRACTION, IDENTITY, AND RELATIONSHIPS by Jennifer Kvamme – Shares what the Bible says about sex and sexuality, answers questions like “Why does God care what I do with my body?” and “How do I figure out what makes me me and how to be happy?”

WORTH IT: FOLLOWING JESUS WHEN LIFE FEELS COMPLICATED by Chris Morphew – Why it is worth following Jesus during a complicated time to be a young person, navigating many challenges and uncertainties of life.

CHALLENGES TO LIVING GOD’S WAY by Chris Richard & Liz Jones – Provides biblical perspective on marriage and sexuality, helping young people navigate areas like cohabitation, abortion, homosexuality, gender identity, men and women, abortion, and sexual purity.

FOR KIDS:

A CHILD’S FIRST BOOK ABOUT MARRIAGE by Jani Ortlund — Who invented marriage? Jani carefully talks about marriage, divorce, and even same-sex attraction in this picture book.

GOD MADE BOYS AND GIRLS by Marty Machowski — Helping children understand the gift of gender from the God who made them and loves them. Marty provides biblical truth that shows we are all made in the image of God, either male or female.

IT’S GOOD TO BE A BOY by Champ Thornton, and IT’S GOOD TO BE A GIRL by Jen and Zoe Oshman — This exploration of God’s wonderful design encourages boys and girls that, whatever they are like and whatever they like to do, they are special and needed.