In this episode of Affinity Talks Gospel, we talk to community paediatrician Julie Maxwell about the importance of teaching children biblical views on marriage and how to make wise choices. We discuss how to handle Relationships and Sex Education in schools and safeguard kids in today's culture.

On this episode, we had a deep conversation with our guest, Julie Maxwell from Lovewise. We discussed her background as a community paediatrician and her involvement with Lovewise. Julie shared about her journey into Lovewise, expressing concerns about the lack of teaching on marriage in sex education curricula and the impact of family breakdown on children's well-being. The discussion also touched on the importance of teaching children about marriage and making wise choices from a biblical perspective.
Julie highlighted the need for teaching children God's design for marriage, backed up by statistics that show the benefits of stable, married households. Lovewise produces resources for schools, churches, parents, and youth leaders on relationships, marriage, sex, and wise living, promoting the value of saving sex for marriage and making good choices. She also emphasised the importance of parents engaging with their children on these matters.
The conversation delved into the challenges faced by school governors, teachers, and parents in navigating the complexities of Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) guidance in schools. Julie advised engaging positively with schools, questioning the materials being taught, and advocating for teaching about marriage and family values within the legal framework. She encouraged parents to be proactive in safeguarding their children against harmful influences, both in schools and through cultural influences like social media and online content.

The impact of cultural influences on children, including identity issues and the prevalence of social media, was also explored. There was a shared agreement on the importance of protecting children from harmful influences while instilling biblical values and discernment. The conversation concluded on a positive note, affirming the need for prayer, showing the better story grounded in God's truth, and a proactive approach to supporting and safeguarding children in today's challenging cultural landscape.

Chapters
0:00:00 - Introduction
0:02:25 - Concerns about the lack of teaching on marriage in sex education
0:07:32 - Purpose of Lovewise
0:10:16 - Resources for parents and schools
0:16:03 - Challenges faced by teachers
0:20:00 - Importance of teaching biblical values
0:24:37 - Addressing harmful school materials
0:26:47 - Engaging with school systems
0:31:29 - Legal framework for schools
0:35:29 - Protecting children from harmful education
0:40:26 - Cultural influences on children
0:42:34 - Engaging with children's reality
0:45:00 - Showing the better story grounded in God's truth