Silver Ring Thing - creating a culture shift
The f-word
So if you really want to live in a way that’s 180 degrees different than the rest of the world, how do you walk this our in your relationships? How do you honour God while keeping your heart and hormones in check?
How do you not only think differently about sex and attract the opposite sex differently – how do you also relate to the opposite sex differently?
Silver Ring Thing - creating a culture shift
Hear that? It’s the sound of people’s souls rumbling – they’re starving for relationships. It’s how we’re wired. Whether we want to admit it or not, we want to connect with another person in some kind of relationship – a friend, a date, a spouse. We want to meet someone who understands us and cares. Why do you think we go to chick flicks (and yes, guys even tolerate a few of them)? We love the stories. We love the connection. We want to see two people together happily ever after (or at least till the end of the movie). Why? Because we don’t want to be alone.
We all want to do relationships right. We all want the dream of finding someone to be ‘the love of our life.’ But just walk around at your school and see the drama unfold as people use people and then get discarded to the side – the way we’re doing it now isn’t working.
You want more than that. You want to do relationships right, in a way that’s 180 degrees different than the way most people in the movies, in music, and on your school grounds are relating to one another. You want to find a way to get to know someone that’s in line with the 180 God’s doing in your life. You want to bring what God’s done in your heart into what happens when you’re with someone of the opposite sex – a way that keeps your heart and mind in check.
But before you can live out this 180, you have to grasp an important element of sex: sex is selfless. What you think about sex and how you live it out isn’t just about you. That’s a real 180 from the way the rest of our culture does sex. In movies, music, TV shows or just the couples or hookups you see in your school, it’s all about what another person can do for you – how they can make you feel or what they can do to bring you pleasure.
There’s a better way to do relationships than the fairy tales the rest of the world is trying to live out. But sex isn’t just a personal issue or a personal choice – it’s not that simple. How you view sex and sexuality impacts others. It’s not just your body and your decision. When you start interacting with someone else, you’re responsible for both your actions and theirs.
First Thessalonians 4: 3 – 7 says:
It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.
Reread verse 6: ‘No one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him.’ Even if the other person is a willing participant in a sexual act, there’s some part of it that both people have to own up to. For example if you know someone’s weakness and take advantage of it, you’re arousing desires in that person solely for your own personal gain. Guys use it to get girls to give them oral sex. They see a girl who’s insecure and is afraid of losing the relationship, so they figure if they can’t pressure her to go all the way, they can at least make sure they get something from her.
Girls work it too – getting their needs met by taking advantage of how guys are wired visually by dressing in ways that make sure they are not only noticed but desired.
Wouldn’t you like to live in a way that’s 180 degrees different than the rest of the world, how do you walk this out in your relationships. Spent time pondering the words in 1 Thessalonians 4: 3 – 7, make the quality decision to live and do relationships God’s way.
In the next edition we will look at how we can honour God in our dating relationships, while keeping our hearts and hormones in check!
Taken from Sex 180, by Tim Walker and Chip Ingram. [ISBN 0-8010-4529-0]
Silver Ring Thing Southern Africa held its first live shows in two years in May 2010 in Johannesburg. The positive response has been overwhelming.
These two shows were presented in partnership with Liberty Church.
Live show – Liberty Church, Randburg – 7th May 2010
Click here to see photos of the Randburg live show
The Silver Ring Thing live show held in Randburg on the 7th May 2010 was filled with over 1,000 young people. The official attendance was 1,000. Of these, 763 young people answered the call to commit to abstinence until marriage – that is a whopping 76% of the audience! You are not alone – abstinence CAN be the norm!
155 (16%) of the audience trusted Jesus Christ as their Saviour for the first time – the angels in heaven celebrate. 196 (20%) young people recommitted themselves to live their lives for Christ. All praise to God alone for His grace!
Live show – Liberty Church, Discovery – 8th May 2010
Click here to see photos of the Discovery live show
Over 550 young people attended the Silver Ring Thing live show held in Discovery, Roodepoort, on the 8th May 2010. 405 of these young people committed to abstinence until marriage – that is 74% of the audience! 55 (10%) responded to the invitation to trust Jesus Christ as their Saviour for the first time. 155 (28%) recommitted themselves to live their lives for Christ.
Here is just some of the (unedited) feedback received from the shows…
- Ive made the SRT promis and im going to keet it! Thanx for the show
- So awesome that SRT is back again,gr8 news!!!!!!!! Well done guys!
- thanks guys 4 an awsome weekend
- loved it, the most amazing night ever
- it waz the best tym of my lyf last nyt wnt eva 4get it eva!….thank u stax me nd my fwndz apriciate it! cnt w8 4 the nxt event of SRT!
- praying for everyone.. we can do it, abstaining is possible peoples
- Hey guys! Thanks for the awesome show that evening.
- Awesome work you guys keep it up. May God Bless You
- Thank u veri much 4 an awesome show it was Guarenteed awesomeness…Ayoberrrrr keep making the circle BIGGER SRT YEAH!!!
- Mmmm 100% behind it. Abstainance is the way.
There is ongoing follow-up on Facebook and Twitter for those that have committed to abstinence. Starting in July 2010 those committing to abstinence will also receive a weekly SMS (text message).
Silver Ring Thing Southern Africa does not currently have a full-time team to do the live shows in southern Africa. The few live shows that do take place are graciously presented by past team members on a volunteer basis. Plans are being made for some live shows in the future. These will be announced on PostCards, on the Silver Ring Thing Africa Facebook Group and the www.SilverRingThing.co.za website.
Not able to attend a live show? Then do Silver Ring Thing’s Project 434 in your church, school or individually today! Also for parents. For more information on Project 434 click here.
> creating a culture shift
Over 550 young people attended the Silver Ring Thing live show held in Discovery, Roodepoort, on the 8th May 2010. 405 of these young people committed to abstinence until marriage – that is 74% of the audience! 55 (10%) responded to the invitation to trust Jesus Christ as their Saviour for the first time. 155 (28%) recommitted themselves to live their lives for Christ.
Here are photos of the event… Continue Reading…
The Silver Ring Thing live show held in Randburg on the 7th May 2010 was filled with over 1,000 young people. The official attendance was 1,000. Of these, 763 young people answered the call to commit to abstinence until marriage – that is a whopping 76% of the audience! You are not alone – abstinence CAN be the norm!
155 (16%) of the audience trusted Jesus Christ as their Saviour for the first time – the angels in heaven celebrate. 196 (20%) young people recommitted themselves to live their lives for Christ. All praise to God alone for His grace!
Here are photos of the event… Continue Reading…
Silver Ring Thing announces a great offer to schools committed to truly impacted their student’s lives. A free Project 434 Leader’s Toolkit, valued at R385.
Silver Ring Thing needs to hear from you on how your walk has gone since your commitment to abstinence. Be it positive or negative, your story may very well be just the encouragement somebody else needs to hear.
Silver Ring Thing Southern Africa is now on both Facebook and Twitter.
Friday, 7th May 2010, Liberty Church Randburg, 401 West Ave, Ferndale, Randburg, Entrance fee R20 – open to all, ticket required. Gates open at 5:30 pm and Doors open 7pm. The show is scheduled to end around 10pm, or shortly thereafter.
Saturday, 8th May 2010, Liberty Church Discovery, 51 Celeste Crescent, Discovery, Roodepoort, Entrance fee R20 – open to all, ticket required. Gates open at 5:30 pm and Doors open 7pm. The show is scheduled to end around 10pm, or shortly thereafter. Continue Reading…
As you can see, the new Silver Ring Thing Africa site is under construction. It won’t take long to get all the basic information up, so please check back again as this site develops!