This is the first lesson I taught in our 2001 True Love Waits Series. It is designed to drive home the point that God is not just interested in our avoidance of intercourse, He's more interested that we remain sexually pure. His desire is more than just our virginity, He wants our chastity.
I probably shouldn't say that "I" taught the lesson. Actually a couple of teens did most of the teaching for me, through a drama. It is written for a cast of three (two characters and a narrator) because my youth group is small, casts must also remain small -- otherwise everyone would be in the drama and no one would watch it. It is up to your actors to convey the fact that they are interacting with others in their scenes. If you have a larger youth group perhaps you could flesh out a few of the other characters (Jack, Sarah, Andy, perhaps even Coach).
Also a word to the wise, you can spread out a drop cloth to catch the mud if you'd like, but when the house lights go down and the stage lights come up, the actors forget they're supposed to keep the dirt on the plastic. Be ready for a mess, or cover the entire stage in plastic. Fortunately I didn't leave any permanent stains.
Following the drama you will find the rough outline of my lesson designed to explore the implications of the drama.
Enough chit chat, on to the lesson:
Chastity Sketch
Scene 1:
Narrator:
I'd like to introduce you to the characters in our story. Emily and Paul are typical teens, normal high schoolers. But they're a little bit special. They go to church. They've been to True Love Waits. And they've each made the True Love Waits pledge, promising that they won't have sex until they are married. We first meet Paul in the guys' locker room following a basketball practice. The guys are sharing a few jokes that they wouldn't dare tell their moms . . .
Paul:
[Laughing] Oh yeah . . . Did you hear the one about the two girls who got stuck on the desert island
Oh, Shh
Um . . . Hi Coach. Yeah, it was a pretty good practice. Yep, I'll see you tomorrow.
Man, that was close. Anyway, Jack, how was your date Friday night with Sarah. You've got to tell us all about it.
[Listens briefly]
So, is it true . . . is she . . . umm . . . experienced? You guys do it?
[Laughs]
Yeah, like I believe that. I know just what I'd do if I got her in a car alone after a date, right guys.
[Getting up]
Hey, guys, wait up. I'm ready.
[Before exiting the stage, Paul smears some mud on his clothes.]
Scene Two:
Narrator: Meanwhile, across town, Emily's at home alone spending some time on the internet before her mom gets home from work, when a search turns up something she didn't expect to see.
Emily:
[Shocked]
Huh? What's this? What do you mean I have to be eighteen? Like you know how old I am . . .
[Clicks the mouse]
Whoa!
[Glances around nervously]
Nope, nobody's home yet. I guess it wouldn't hurt to look at a few pictures.
[Clicks a few more times]
Dad'd kill me if he knew what I was looking at . . . but hey, what he doesn't know won't hurt him right? After all, this isn't hurting anyone.
[Clicks a few more times.]
Wait, what was that sound . . . It's the garage door.
[Clicks worriedly]
Come on . . . Close . . . Close . . .
[Sighs]
Yeah, mom? Okay, I'll be right down.
[Before exiting the stage, Emily smears some mud on her clothes.]
Scene Three:
Narrator: One evening, Paul decided to go see a movie with a few friends. Unfortunately, the Grinch was sold out and they ended up seeing something they hadn't planned on . . .
Paul:
[Leaning over to talk as in a movie theater]
Good thing we look seventeen, huh . . .
[Nervous laugh]
Can you believe they let us in to see this? Mom and Dad would never let me rent this one.
Whoa! Is she taking off her shirt?
[Looks away embarrassed, then looks back]
Look at her. . . I'd give anything for a few moments alone with her.
What's this thing rated anyway?
Aw . . . They're done already . . . Oh well, I guess it's just a movie.
Hey, you want some popcorn?
Okay, I'll be right back.
[Before exiting the stage, Paul smears some mud on his clothes.]
Scene Four:
Narrator: Now we find ourselves in the school library where Emily is spending study hall with a couple of her friends.
Emily:
Hey, Sarah, what are you reading?
Really, Cosmo? My mom won't let me read that one.
No seriously, she thinks it's going to warp my impressionable mind. So, what's so bad about it anyway?
Yeah, well, mom's a prude anyway. Let me look at that.
I mean what's so dirty about some beauty secrets and fashion advice. Like an article on spring colors is going to turn me into a tramp.
Hey, have you read this one yet? "How to catch a guy and keep him. . ." Or that one "20 tricks that will keep your guy coming back for more,"
Oh, there's the bell.
[Getting up]
Yeah, I'll see you at lunch.
[Before exiting the stage, Emily smears some mud on her clothes.]
Scene Five:
Narrator: After the movie, Paul went home to spend the night at a friends house. Now we catch up with them in Jack's living room.
Paul:
That was some movie wasn't it? And can you believe that one scene? I bet you and Sarah haven't even tried that one yet.
[Laughs]
What do you mean "If I liked that movie you have something else I might enjoy?" What's that movie?
[Sits down in front of the TV and inserts a video tape]
Where'd you get this? Really, It's your dads? I bet my dad doesn't have anything like this . . .
Whoa! I didn't even know you could do that.
Should we even be watching this?
Well, yeah, I guess you're right. I mean, it isn't hurting anyone. No one forced them to make this movie . . . and no one's forcing us to watch it . . . like they'd have to.
And I suppose watching it's better than going out and doing it ourselves. Right?
[Laughs]
Wow . . .
[As lights go down, Paul smears some mud on his clothes.]
Scene Six:
Narrator: Meanwhile, Emily is at home getting ready for a date with her boyfriend.
Emily:
Oh no! It's six already?!? I've got to hurry.
[Trying out outfits]
What should I wear . . . Oh, who am I kidding, I don't have time to change.
I wonder where we are going tonight? I wonder what we'll do.
[Doorbell]
He's here!
[Emily moves into the living room]
Hey, Andy, what are we doing tonight?
Oh, I don't know, didn't you have something in mind?
Well, Mom and Dad are out to dinner. I suppose we can stay here and watch a video. I got the Green Mile for Christmas, wanna watch that?
[Puts a video tape in the machine and sits down on the couch.]
[Aside]
Wow, he sure is cute tonight. I'm lucky to have a guy as great as Andy.
But . . . What if he looses interest in me . . . What if he finds someone else?
What was it that magazine said? 20 Tricks to keep your guy coming back for more? Do you suppose that will actually work?
But that was all about sex - and I can't do that we're not married . . .
But maybe there is something that isn't quite sex that I can do to keep Andy.
Andy . . . You wanna watch this upstairs in my bedroom? Yeah, my TV is a lot smaller, but hey, maybe the movie won't be the most interesting thing we can find to do . . .
Yeah, you go on up, I'll be right there.
[Before exiting the stage, Emily smears some mud on her clothes.]
Scene Seven
Narrator: Years later Emily met Paul. They fell in love. They want to get married.
Emily: Um . . . Paul, there's something I need to ask you.
Paul: Yeah, What is it?
Emily: Uh . . . have you . . . have you had sex with anyone?
Paul: No, I always thought sex was something for marriage. I never did it. I saved myself, I wanted to be clean just for you.
Emily: Yeah, me too.
Lesson Outline:
Trasition Activity
Word Association:
When I say a word, tell me what comes to mind:
What about those last two words? Can you define Chastity? How about Virginity?
Definitions:
Discussion questions:
Bible Verse:
Obviously chastity and virginity aren't the same thing. And God is not interested merely in our virginity. He wants our chastity as well.
God designed us for sex. We were created to be sexual beings. Therefore sex has powerful incentives drawing us to it:
Yet there are risks associated with sexual intercourse -- and these risks are often presented as reasons for preserving our virginity. Obviously, sexual intercourse carries the risk of disease and pregnancy.
The world tells us that we can indulge these incentives while remaining our a virgin. By exploring these alternatives we can satisfy our appetite while avoiding the risks of intercourse.
But the fact remains: God wants not only our virginity, but also our chastity. That's what the drama was all about. While there are avenues which allow us to explore our curiosity, indulge our attraction and satisfy our hunger while remaining a virgin, there's more to staying pure and clean than simply avoiding intercourse.
Sketch and Lesson by Rev. Bradley Buhro
January 2001; All rights reserved
Permission is granted to reproduce this lesson for use in a local church or school setting.