R.I.S.E. To Your Dreams is a character based abstinence program that focuses on four character traits: Responsibility, Integrity, Self-Control and Empowerment. It teaches students how people who have these character traits in their lives are better able to practice healthy behaviors and avoid negative activities. It consists of 52 pages of text and 18 color and 28 black and white PowerPoint slides. The slides are also available as transparencies.

R.I.S.E. emphasizes the importance of marriage and what abstinence from sexual activity in preparation for marriage means. Abstinence until marriage is the only certain way to avoid out-of-wedlock pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and other associated health problems. We emphasize how God views sexual immorality and uses Psalms 84:11, which states, "No good thing will HE withhold from those who walk uprightly."

Because as we read in Genesis 1:27,"God created man in HIS own image . . .", we are special and unique. Expound on the fact the God has a plan and purpose for each one HE created. Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future". (NIV)

When students have respect for themselves and others, and they are responsible, have integrity and self-control, they will be empowered to stay the course: finish school, make wise choices for their lives and save sex for marriage. They will have the foundation to be all they can be in life.

We want to encourage young people to internalize these characteristics to the point that they reflect WHO THEY ARE more than something they do. We want these characteristics so ingrained in them that doing what is right is their first choice rather than their last choice (after they suffer consequences).

We point out that saying no comes down to character – character built on responsibility, integrity and self-control. Character built on these traits leads to good choices; weak character leads to bad choices.

Scriptures used for Mind: "Set your mind on things above, not earthly things." Col. 3:2 (NIV)

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good and perfect will." Romans 12:2 (NIV)

offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. . ." Romans 12:1 (NIV)

"Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." 2 Timothy 2:22 (NIV)

We begin the second day talking about how our mind, will, and body work together to make us a whole person, and we discuss how everything originates in the mind as it responds to what comes to the body through the five senses.

While you can’t always control what comes into your mind, you alone allow what comes in to stay there. The old saying "Garbage In = Garbage Out" is applicable here.

We have to set our will to do the right thing and make the right choices.

Human Needs

Scripture: Phil. 4:19 "For my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory through Christ Jesus." (NAMS)

All of us have basically the same physical needs: food and water to survive, clothes to wear, shelter for a place to sleep. Just as real as physical needs are, we also have social needs.

All through life we have a need to belong and be with others. We talk about how this need to belong or "fit in" was the reason given in several of the cases of school shootings in the past. The student shooters who survived in Jonesboro, Arkansas and Pearl, Mississippi, when asked why they opened fire on their classmates both responded, "We did not fit in", and, "nobody accepted us".

In every known culture or society the institution of marriage is acknowledged as the environment for two people to live together and provide for children the care, attention, and love needed for healthy relationships. Too often a teenager will engage in premarital sex to feel this sense of belonging. Unfortunately, the relationship based on infatuation, lust or this need to belong will be temporary and will compound future problems.

"Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient." Eph. 5:6 (NIV)

During this session we talk about the differences in the sexes: how boys are visual and how girls might interpret what a guy says and how he touches her differently than he might.

In this section we discuss how unmet needs such as loneliness, low self-worth, lack of love, acceptance and maturity and a desire for intimacy are what drive some young people into an intimate relationship. Internal drives or influences can pressure him/her into situations that cause regret later.

Discuss body composition. Kids feel they are too tall, too skinny, too fat, have hair the wrong color

In this section we discuss that when a 12 year-old dates there is a 91% chance of that teenager having sex before graduation. As the age that a teen starts dating goes up, the percentages go down.

Scripture: "But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust." James 1:14 (NAMS)

Here we talk about the outside pressures adolescents feel from their peers, television, magazines, and their music. We ask what type of music they are listening to and would they want their younger siblings to listen to the same music. We talk about how the media influences they way they think and act.

Scripture: "Put to death therefore whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires, which is idolatry." Col. 3:5 (NIV)

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast. . . It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, keeps no record of wrongs . . . Love never fails . . ." 1 Corinthians 13:4-5, 8 (NIV)

In this section we talk about the difference between lust and love, and how love always seeks the best for the other person while lust wants its own desires met. Love is selfless while lust is selfish.

In this section we talk about that any time a person has sex outside of marriage there are consequences. Always, no exceptions and those consequences can be emotional and/or physical.

Until now we have spent a considerable amount of time on the emotional consequences of premarital sex, and now we focus on some of the physical consequences. In this section we talk about pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. One of the common problems associated with teen sex of course is teen pregnancy. This not only can be devastating to a teen, the unborn baby and has a ripple effect on the teenager’s family, their finances, and even affects the community. Only 50% of teen mothers graduate from high school. Teenagers who drop out of school and have children out of wedlock live at poverty level.

However, pregnancy is not the worse thing that can happen to you. Being pregnant usually does not kill you. But there are sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) that do.

Before we begin talking about STDs, we emphasize that there is a 100% chance of being free of STDs if one chooses abstinence.

Scripture: Repeat 1 Corinthians 6:18 then talk about 1 Corinthians 10:13: "No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not let you be tempted beyond what you are able, but with temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it."

"Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?" 2 Corinthians 6:14 (NIV)

In this section, we encourage teens who have not had sex to continue to make that commitment to abstain from sex until marriage. We encourage them to encourage their friends to do likewise by telling them of the consequences they have learned in this presentation. Then we give them examples of how to keep their commitment, and how to say no to pressure by using assertive body language, by setting limits for affection on dates, how to practice what they will do in a given situation and how to stay out of situations that can get out of hand. We encourage them to practice with friends "how to say no" and how to develop good refusal skills.

Scripture: "Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in My hand." Isaiah 64:8; 45:9; Jeremiah 18:6; "He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against the house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock." Luke 6:48 (NIV); But the one who has heard and has not acted accordingly, is like the man who built a house upon the ground without any foundation; and the torrent burst against it and immediately it collapsed." Luke 6:49

For students who have already had sex, we tell them there is good news for them, too. It is never too late to stop and start over. Any day of the week they can choose to become abstinent. It is at this point that we use a potter’s wheel and clay to show how sexual purity can be reclaimed.

The students are shown a ball of clay and told the clay resembles their lives. Just like the choices a potter makes to form a vessel from the clay, their lives are formed by the choices they make. If a potter does not lay a good foundation for his pot, when he starts to bring up the walls, the walls will not stand. The same is true of their lives. If they do not lay a foundation for their lives based on responsibility, integrity, and self-control they will not be empowered to stand against the pressures that come against them.

However, even if they have made poor choices in the past and have had sex, they can reclaim sexual purity just like the potter can reclaim the marred clay. Just as it will take work for the potter to wedge and kneed the clay so it can be used again, it will take work for the teens to lay a good foundation.

We strongly encourage teens to not rush growing up, to take time to develop friendships, to not date too early – to take charge of their lives. Then, we tell them the benefits of saving sex until marriage: realizing their goals and dreams (graduate from school, plan for your future); increased self-respect and confidence; wholesome relationships; freedom from unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and a ruined reputation. They will go into their marriage free of guilt and/or fear. At this point we ask if the students want to sign a commitment card. If they do, we let them sign the card, then using a laminator, seal it in plastic. We do not pressure them but we do ask that they not sign one unless they are serious about remaining abstinent until marriage – the card they are signing is a contract.

In the appendix, there are games for the students to participate in that reinforce the message we have given.

. For every fact we state, we have a footnote and reference. These are the ones used in the Overview.

1. Page 7: Abstinence Statistics. Source: Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, CDC, Vol. 49, No. SS-5, June 9, 2000