It is a given that we live in an overly sexual culture. Everywhere we turn, we are bombarded with images, values, and ideas that are deeply sexual in nature.  This is particularly concerning for those of us who are parents.  How do we lead our children through this sexual minefield?

Incredibly, even as Christians we overlook the best source for balanced, yet direct, teaching on the subject of sexuality: the Bible.  Don’t make the mistake of thinking that our modern sex culture is, in principle, anything new.  The Israelites were surrounded by pagan nations in Canaan that were grossly promiscuous, worshiping fertility gods and goddesses that required all sorts of sexual activity.  And, after a while, Israel began to participate in these practices.

For these reasons, I appreciate my wife Melissa’s recent article over at The Gospel Coalition, entitled “Sex in the Sermon.”  She observes

Over the past few years, my now 12-year-old daughter has been exposed to some rather uncomfortable subjects. Prostitution, homosexuality, whoring, menstrual cycles, bodily emissions, and rape have all been discussed in her presence.

You might wonder what type of parents we are. Do we let her watch too much TV? Allow her to listen to the wrong radio stations? Surf the internet without guidance? Actually my husband and I are fairly strict about the influences we allow into our home. It’s been one particular outside influence that has reached our daughter.

We take her to church.

We take her to a church that preaches through the Bible. All of it. Even the nooks and crannies we feel quite shocked to hear mentioned in a room full of people. A few years ago, we spent nine months in the book of Leviticus. Nine months doesn’t allow you the opportunity to skip the uncomfortable sections…

Could it be that we face so much sexual confusion in the church because we fail to preach faithfully through all of Scripture? Society shames sex by speaking of it too often in the wrong context, with smirks and innuendos. Conversely, we in the church often shame sex by failing to speak of it all, missing the opportunities the Word of God appropriates for our instruction.

This is a great reminder of the importance of consecutive, expository preaching. It naturally brings you to passages (like the ones on sexual issues) that you may not naturally choose to preach. Moreover, it reminds us that we should not only be committed to preaching only Scripture (sola Scriptura), but preaching all of Scripture (tota Scriptura).

You will want to read this whole article (see here) and pass it along to key folks at your church.