SESSION 1: OUR INTRODUCTION

You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another. — John 15:16–17

OBJECTIVES

[] The participants, parents, and caregivers will learn the scope and sequence of the program.

[] The participants, parents, and caregivers will begin to reflect on the intersection of sexuality and spirituality.

[] Participants, parents, and caregivers will be given an introduction to the concepts they will learn throughout the program.

[] Participants, parents, and caregivers will be introduced to the rules of respectful communication.

SUPPLIES

[] These Are Our Bodies High School Participant Books (1 per participant)

[] These Are Our Bodies High School Parent Books (1 per parent or caregiver)

[] These Are Our Bodies High School Leader Guides (1 for each facilitator)

[] RESPECT poster (See p. 14 for a description of the poster and its use. Download, print, and assemble at: http://www.churchpublishing.org/theseareou rbodieshsleader. You will want to keep the poster up in the room to refer to during each session.)

[] Interactive Museum Newsprint Titles for the Work (Download at: http://www.churchpublishing.org/theseareou rbodieshsleader, print, and cut apart.)

[] Anonymous Bag of Questions (ABQ) (See directions, p. 16.)

[] pencils or pens (1 per participant) markers

[] easel pad and paper

[] index cards

[] nametags

[] Bibles

PREPARATION

In this session both caregivers and youth will be introduced to the program, receive an overview, and have the opportunity to ask questions about what will be covered in subsequent sessions. Portions of this session will be a combined group and portions will be breakout groups of teens and caregivers meeting separately.

Before the session starts, determine which facilitators will lead each group (adults or youth) when they meet separately and which adult facilitator/s will lead each portion of the session. If you have a large group (more than ten youth) you should divide them into groups, with 6–10 participants of different genders and from different schools in each group. Think about the formation of the groups to ensure that cliques are not formed. Use nametags to delineate the groups; for example, one group could have a blue border on the nametags and the other red. Another way is to put a different sticker on the nametags; for example, use star stickers for one group and happy-face stickers for another. Setting up the groups before the session saves time and helps the session go more smoothly. If you have fewer than 12 youth participants, do the activities as one group. Parents and caregivers can remain as one group no matter how many of them attend.

[] Gather needed supplies.

[] Set up the room for the session. Arrange furniture and materials so that they are readily available and designed for discussion. Read through the entire session. Jot down your own notes and prompts.

[] Review the RESPECT Ground Rules introduction.

[] Review the explanation of the ABQ (p. 16).

[] Create the nametags for the participants, parents, caregivers, and facilitators.

SUGGESTIONS

Since this is the first session and includes youth with their parent/s or caregiver/s, there may be some discomfort or anxiety about what will be occurring during this session. Create an atmosphere of welcome and hospitality beginning when they arrive. Model a sense of calm and welcome, with an open and lighthearted demeanor for what may be the first time many of them have discussed sexuality with one another, let alone in a public setting.

For this and all the following sessions, it is important to keep in mind that asking participants to be honest requires adults to be honest. If you do not know an answer, tell participants that you will find the answer. Then find and share the answer! Stress that you are committed to finding out answers to all of their questions. Make sure they know that you love questions; this is an important piece to remind the parents and caregivers who will be present during this session.

Privacy is especially important to young people. Assure them that (a) they can speak to you about anything without fear and (b) though you will share with caregivers how sessions unfold and what the group says, no individual names will be shared with caregivers. It is also important that the adults who are accompanying the youth at this session fully understand that this will be the standard for all sessions.

WELCOME

* (20 minutes)

Welcome all participants, parents, and caregivers. Facilitators should introduce themselves then invite all present to introduce themselves. Besides giving their name, invite each person to tell how they learned about this program and one thing they hope to gain from this time together.

RESPECT Poster

Direct everyone's attention to the RESPECT poster. For this first session, you may want to hold a short discussion (see p. 14) to expand what participants think each of the letters and statements on the poster mean. Refer to page 14 in this Leader Guide for a full explanation of the RESPECT poster.

Explain to everyone that each session will begin with a ritual to gather everyone together, noting that we are in a time and place set apart that will be safe and respectful for all. It is also a time to remind everyone that we meet as a people of faith, and our conversations are built upon that. As each week progresses, the group will join in more comfortably with this opening ritual and participants may choose to lead this instead of the facilitator.

Invite everyone to stand and read from the RESPECT poster together. The poster should be located in a convenient and noticeable spot for each session.

R = take RESPONSIBILITY for what you say and feel without blaming others.

E = use EMPATHETIC listening.

S = be SENSITIVE to differences in communication styles.

P = PONDER what you hear and feel before you speak.

E = EXAMINE your own assumptions and perceptions.

C = keep CONFIDENTIALITY.

T = TRUST ambiguity because we are not here to debate who is right or wrong.

Prayer

Facilitator: The Lord be with you

Participants: And also with you.

Facilitator: Let us pray.

Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom: Enlighten by your Holy Spirit those who teach and those who learn, that, rejoicing in the knowledge of your truth, they may worship you and serve you from generation to generation; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever...