Sarah Smith - A Guide to Growing Up: Honest conversations about puberty, sex and God

TABLE OF CONTENTS

This book would not have come into being without the support of many wonderful people who have cheered me on, prayed for me, and given me advice and a listening ear along the way.

Thank you so much to family, friends, and colleagues who read drafts of the book and gave such helpful feedback, and challenged me where it was needed. Thanks also to friends and colleagues who supported me in organising focus groups I really appreciate the time and thought you put into this.

Huge thanks to my Mum and Dad for their love and support and for championing me in all I do.

Alex Webb-Peploe, thank you so much for doing such a fantastic job with the illustrations, for bringing the book to life, and for your patience with me!

Thanks to the Sir Halley Stewart Trust, Urban Saints, the Well of Hope, and generous family and friends for enabling the book to be illustrated.

And most of all, thank you to all the young people who contributed to the production of this book, including the content, choice of illustrator and the title. Special thanks go to all the young people who took part in the conversations that are in the book Im so grateful for your input and your willingness to share your thoughts and insights about these topics so openly. You are all truly amazing.

The views expressed within this book are those of the author and not necessarily those of the Sir Halley Stewart Trust.

Weve seen throughout this book that puberty is jam packed with hormone activity, triggering new feelings and changes in the body. With all thats going on its good to remember that God is with us, always pouring out love for us and cheering us on through life.

Even when we make mistakes, he loves us. Even when we have angry or negative or weird thoughts, he loves us. Nothing can separate us from Gods love.

We can choose to respond to God by loving him back! We can do that by telling him we love him, giving thanks to him, showing love to other people, spending time chatting/praying/listening to him, taking time to see him in creation, reading the Bible, and sticking to what the Bible says being obedient.

DO YOU LIKE PRAYING?

I like praying because I can talk to God about anything, and he listens.

David, 12

I can let my thoughts out when I pray.

Joy, 12

Sometimes praying feels like a chore but other times it can be useful.

Ethan, 14

I dont like praying aloud, but its nice to feel like someone is always listening when I do pray internally.

Natalie, 19

I love praying as I get time with God, my best friend, and I can do it whenever I want wherever I want.

Dermot, 12

I like praying, because I can tell God about all my feelings.

Lily, 12

It can be really helpful to talk about whats going on in your life (the ups and the downs) with other Christians perhaps members of your family, friends, church community or youth group, if you are part of one.

Even though you are young, God can use you to be a great help to others. 1 Timothy 4:12 says: Dont let anyone make fun of you, just because you are young. Set an example for other followers by what you say and do, as well as by your love, faith, and purity (CEV).

You can be an example to those who dont yet understand what Christianity is all about. Help them to see that its not a religion full of rules and regulations, but that its all about living life to the full.

Never forget how valuable and loved by God you are.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE GOD?

God is great, loving and he cares for us a lot.

David, 12

He is awesome!! Indescribable! I love him!

Karen, 13

The person who created me and has a plan for me and loves me for who I am and is my best friend who I can always trust.

Dermot, 12

Beyond words.

Joy, 12

He is very current, and not a mystical man in history books.

Harry, 19

God is a loving father who designed and created you and loves you unconditionally. There is nothing you can do for him to love you less. He is completely forgiving and is just waiting for you to come to him.

Natalie, 19

A CLOSING PRAYER

Heres a prayer you can pray if youd like to:

Dear God, thank you for my life and all the good things in it. I pray that you would help me as I make the journey from childhood to adulthood. Help me to get used to the changes that are taking place in my body and the new feelings I will experience. Help me feel calm if angry thoughts rise up in me. Help me feel peace when I feel stressed or confused. Help me to see myself the way you see me and help me to recognize the gifts, abilities, and skills you have placed in me.

Thank you Jesus that you love me so much that you died for me, which means that Im forgiven for everything Ive done wrong. Thank you that you rose from the dead, that youre alive and real.

Help me to make good choices now and in the future and help me to follow you with all my heart, mind, and strength.

Amen!

For further advice and help (in the UK), you can contact the following organizations.