RE: “… engaging in candid conversations with young people before they begin cohabitating, not just afterwards.”

Some insight about the characteristics of a good conversation concerning this highly sensitive topic would be useful. A few questions that guidance might address:

• What is most helpful for a young man to hear, and from whom?
• What is most helpful for a young woman to hear, and from whom?

• How does a concerned adult best approach the conversation and prepare for it?
• How can an adult who was previously wayward himself (or herself) best deal with any feelings or suggestions of hypocrisy in advising a young adult to choose chastity?
• What is the best way to listen to the young person and avoid one-way moral lecturing or overloading the discussion with one’s own anxiety about the youth’s future choices?
• What is the wisest response to the reasons typically given to justify cohabitation?
• How can someone best explain that forgiveness in Christ does not mean that we can live as we please?

• How can guidance be offered in a way that emphasizes the good that, out of love, God and the believing adult sincerely want for the young person?
• What exactly are the “myriad benefits” (Jim Daly quote above) that a couple gains together — and each person individually — by waiting until marriage to live together?

• What are some published resources that offer straight talk about the topic, both to youth and to the Christian adults who want to counsel them effectively?

Suggested reading: https://lutheranfamilyservice.org/2024/07/cohabitation/ .