The Holy Sexuality Project is a 12-lesson video curriculum by Christopher Yuan designed to help parents, grandparents, and church leaders discuss sex, sexuality, gender, identity, marriage, singleness, and the gospel with teenagers and preteens from a biblical perspective. It combines teaching, animation, personal testimony, and guided family discussion.
The series begins with Yuan’s personal story and then progresses through identity, attraction, action, the image of God, sin, desire, temptation, the purpose of sex, marriage, and singleness. It then addresses contemporary questions concerning same-sex attraction, homosexuality, transgenderism, gender dysphoria, and related cultural debates.
What is The Holy Sexuality Project?
The Holy Sexuality Project is a series comprised of 12 lessons. The Holy Sexuality Project is a natural follow-up. The series is comprised of 12 lessons, each of which is in the neighborhood of 20 minutes long.
The product Dr. Yuan developed is a twelve-lesson video series designed especially for parents and grandparents to assist them in having discussions with their teens and “tweens” about matters related to sexuality. The Holy Sexuality Project uses engaging animation to help families confidently disciple the next generation with biblical truth and the gospel.
The series is designed specifically for parents and teens, and families can watch it together without cringing and without it being awkward. It helps parents and grandparents connect with their teens and pre-teens about these important issues.
The central purpose of the curriculum
Yuan first published “Holy Sexuality and the Gospel” in 2018 as a gospel-centered discussion of sex, desire and relationships. “The Holy Sexuality Project" was born out of this concern as a teenage-centered, primarily video- and animation-focused multi-media resource adapting the truth from “Holy Sexuality and the Gospel” to a medium that would allow younger audiences to see it, process it and then discuss it with their families.
“The goal was to provide Christians with a resource on the theology of sexuality,” said Yuan. “A lot of what we’ve seen before has been really good for enforcing what the Bible passages tell us not to do, but I wrote ‘Holy Sexuality and the Gospel’ because I felt that there was a gap where Christians really didn’t have a resource that was more than just God’s ‘no’ but also taught what was God’s ‘yes.’”
“We cannot teach our kids just grace when it comes to sexuality, and neither can we stand for just harshly sharing the truth,” Yuan said. “We needed to make a resource that teaches grace and truth as Jesus did, but one that wouldn't just be another program for a classroom, but a resource for the living room.”
The Holy Sexuality Project is more than a collection of animated video series about sexuality and gender. It is a movement to strengthen families by equipping parents and grandparents to disciple their children at home.
Why parents need help with conversations about sexuality
I’m sure it has always been difficult for parents to speak with their children about matters related to sex and sexuality. I’m not just talking about the birds and the bees, but about the wider issues that may be unique to every time and culture.
So while there is nothing unique about today’s parents needing to discuss sex and sexuality with their children, there is something unique about the particular issues. There are entire categories that are unfamiliar, novel, and just plain made up.
And even among Christians there may be debates about what’s right and what’s wrong. Is it sinful to experience same-sex attraction or only sinful to act on it? Does it matter how a person identifies as long as they don’t actually embrace a forbidden lifestyle? What is gender dysphoria and how should we guide people who experience it?
Many of these questions would have been considered absurd when today’s parents were growing up. But now they are having to address them in order to equip their children to live in this world.
With so many issues to consider, with so many of them being new, and with so much at stake, parents would benefit from some guidance. Your teenagers are living in a time of confusion about sexuality and gender.
Today’s worldly culture is pushing an almost limitless number of ways to influence your children about sexual matters in ways you would be hard to imagine even ten years ago. You cannot control all of those ways, but having a strong biblical approach will help you to get started, if you haven’t started already, and it can help you build on the ways you have developed so far.
The importance of beginning the conversation early
The Holy Sexuality Project addresses the timing and challenges of introducing the concept of sexuality to children and the pressing need for parents to guide their children before the onset of puberty.
Think back to when you were a child. How old were you when your parents first started to talk with you about matters of sex and sexuality. Five years old? Ten years old? Fifteen years old? Never?
If NEVER, how did you learn about sex and sexuality? Peer groups? A friend? Movies? Possibly even unplanned exposure to pornography?
Now, think about today. How will (or have) your children or grandchildren learn about matters of sex and sexuality? From you directly? Peer groups? A friend? Movies? Possibly even unplanned exposure to pornography?
As parents (or grandparents) you may feel awkward and ill equipped. We get it, these conversations aren’t easy. The truth is, your teen needs you to guide them through a biblical understanding of sexuality at a critical stage of their life.
Christopher Yuan’s personal story
The short version, which he recounts in the opening lesson of this series, is that in his younger days he was agnostic and proudly living a homosexual lifestyle. His mother determined she would pray him into the Kingdom and, through a series of events that included arrest, imprisonment, and a diagnosis of HIV, he came to Christ and committed himself to the Lord’s cause.
Prior to his radical conversion to Christianity, he lived much of his young adult life identifying as a gay man and even spent time in prison. His experience inspired him to help others avoid some of the pitfalls he encountered because of his own identity crisis.
He has since co-written a book with his mother (Out of a Far Country) that tells his story and a written a second book on God’s design for sexuality (Holy Sexuality and the Gospel).
From the author of Holy Sexuality and the Gospel (2020 resource of the year for social issues by Outreach Magazine) and Out of a Far Country, which details his dramatic conversion from an agnostic gay man who put his identity in his sexuality to a pastor, Bible professor, and Christian author who now puts his identity in Christ alone, comes a thoroughly gospel-centered video study on sex, sexuality, and gender.
Key themes in the 12 lessons
He begins by telling his story and then progresses to matters of identity, attraction, and action. In these lessons, he discusses the image of God, the doctrine of sin, and the nature of desire and temptation.
He explains why God created sex and how he means for us to use this gift. From here he considers marriage and singleness.
With this in place, he moves to the issues that are most pertinent today-same-sex attraction, homosexuality, transgenderism, and so on. He examines the Bible passages opponents of Christianity use to refute long-accepted sexual morality.
In the final set of lessons, he considers how to minister to those who struggle with their sexuality and calls on Christians to be willing to simply follow Jesus, no matter the cost.
| Theme | Focus of the curriculum |
|---|---|
| Identity | The image of God and the place of identity in relation to sexuality |
| Attraction | The nature of desire, temptation, and same-sex attraction |
| Action | How biblical teaching relates to sexual conduct |
| Sex | Why God created sex and how he means for us to use this gift |
| Relationships | Marriage and singleness |
| Contemporary questions | Homosexuality, transgenderism, gender dysphoria, and related issues |
| Discipleship | How Christians can minister to people who struggle with their sexuality |
Identity, sexuality, and the gospel
As more and more young people are falling into the trap of placing their identity in their sexuality and gender pronouns, it’s critical that parents and youth leaders be proactive in showing teenagers where their true identity lies.
Christopher knows a thing or two about placing sexuality at the forefront of his identity. His experience inspired him to help others avoid some of the pitfalls he encountered because of his own identity crisis.
“If it is not going to be true of you in heaven, then it’s not part of your identity here.”
As Christopher writes, “The apostle Paul says that in Christ we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28). Thus, my identity is not gay, ex-gay, or even straight. My true identity is in Jesus Christ alone.
The curriculum presents sexuality within a larger Christian account of human identity rather than treating sexual desire as the defining feature of a person. The book is described as a treatise on image-bearing, encompassing all of the facets of being human.
Holy sexuality, marriage, and singleness
Holy Sexuality and the Gospel is a continuation of Dr. Yuan’s first book which introduced the concept of holy sexuality-chastity in singleness or faithfulness in marriage.
God’s overwhelming love for us is expressed in his passion for us to be holy even as he is holy. So he never calls us to mere celibacy or mere happiness but to a transcendent holiness and joy.
When it comes to sexuality, singleness, and marriage, we need all the good books we can get. Holy Sexuality and the Gospel is part biblical exposition, part theological exploration, and part pastoral exhortation.
The material presents a vision in which sexuality is a gift of God kept in perspective. As a gift of God kept in perspective, sexuality is wonderful. As an idol, it is terrible. More than ever, we need to know what holy sexuality is.
Addressing difficult contemporary questions
The curriculum asks how Christians navigate through tough conversations about sexuality with their teenagers. It also addresses common myths about homosexuality and the Bible, the relevance of sexual preferences, and God’s purpose for sexuality besides procreation.
Many of these questions would have been considered absurd when today’s parents were growing up. But now they are having to address them in order to equip their children to live in this world.
The series addresses same-sex attraction, homosexuality, transgenderism, and so on. It examines the Bible passages opponents of Christianity use to refute long-accepted sexual morality.
The goal is not merely to provide isolated answers but to place questions of sexuality within a larger account of creation, fall, redemption, holiness, identity, relationships, and discipleship.
Side A and Side B
The Christian conversation on sexuality also includes different approaches commonly described as Side A and Side B.
- Side A: Your sexual orientation is unchangeable and is part of your identity that should be accepted.
- Side B: Your sexual orientation is unchangeable and is a part of who you are that should be deprived.
- Celibacy: A volitional vocation of being single.
Celibacy, in relation to Side B same-sex orientation, is a practice primarily informed by the worldview that your sexual orientation cannot be transformed, but is a part of who you are.
Grace, truth, and pastoral care
The material is presented in a sober and dignified way that makes it appropriate for Christian families or church groups. Dr. Christopher Yuan is just the right person to speak on this subject and this series is in just the right format.
Of great importance is the fact that Christopher discusses each of these things in a manner that is plain but not explicit. While he needs to include some details about his own story, he never crosses boundaries and never revels in his past.
Christopher brings clarity to the difficult topics, and he does so in a compassionate and loving way. The series helps families address issues that they will face in their communities, families, and even their churches.
The book is described as a clear-eyed and warm-hearted work that will inspire and encourage the weary as well as instruct and gently correct those who have been more shaped by the culture than by the way of Christ.
Dr. Christopher Yuan has done something deeply and desperately needed: He has told the great story of what the Bible says about sexuality-and about same-sex attractions-in a way that neither compromises the truth nor the love that is at the heart of that story.
Using the series in the home
The vision for these resources is that they become a springboard to meaningful conversations, regular family devotions, and a lifelong pattern of discipleship woven into the everyday rhythms of family life.
Talking about sexuality with teens doesn’t have to be complicated or uncomfortable. The video curriculum is intended to take pressure off adults and help children understand and embrace the Christian understanding of sex and marriage.
Parents and youth leaders can use the lessons as a starting point for ongoing conversations rather than as a substitute for personal guidance. The curriculum provides a framework in which adults and children can watch, process, ask questions, and discuss the implications of biblical teaching.
The hope of the resource is to provide a biblical context for confronting the messaging that surrounds children and to help families have those conversations before confusion becomes the primary teacher.
Christian Parents Discuss Teen Dating & Sexuality
The Parents’ Guide and discussion format
There’s a guide for parents to help them as they lead their teens in discussions related to the lessons. It comes with a “Parents’ Guide” that is helpful every step along the way through the 12 lessons.
The Holy Sexuality Project is intended to support home discipleship, while also being suitable for church groups, Sunday school classes, homeschool settings, and other organized discussions.
One discussion format includes an introduction, followed by a video, followed by an open-ended discussion before showing another video. If a discussion needs to go on for a whole class period or into the next class period, so be it.
The purpose is to answer as many questions as possible, provide resource information about books or other products that may help adults speak knowledgeably with their children and teens, and offer other opportunities to go further in-depth about subjects of interest.
Age groups and related series
For teens
For Teens (ages 13+): The first animated discipleship series helping parents disciple teens through biblical sexuality, gender, marriage, singleness, and the gospel.
For preteens
For Preteens (ages 9-12): A first-of-its-kind animated discipleship series helping preteens discover God's design for identity, sexuality, gender, and following Jesus.
For younger children
For Kids (ages 4-8): COMING SOON! The first fully animated series introducing young children to God's good design for boys and girls and helping parents build a biblical foundation before culture shapes their thinking.
Production and educational approach
All of this is filmed and edited with extremely high production values, making it a package that is easy and enjoyable to watch. The project uses modern technology, primarily video and animation, to present theological material in a form younger audiences can see, process, and discuss.
One year ago, Cedarville University associate professor of communication Jeff Simon was presented with an opportunity to consult on a multi-million dollar media ministry project that could make a difference worldwide and have an immediate impact on his college students.
Simon’s role was to help Yuan from a digital media and broadcasting perspective to adapt his book, “Holy Sexuality and the Gospel,” into a new media project using modern technology. In the process, Simon was able to model the real-life role of digital media in the workplace to his Cedarville students.
As Simon began in his consulting role, he helped guide Yuan through the ins and outs of animation, the production pipeline and the details of contracts and hiring in the multimedia industry.
Through understanding both Yuan’s vision and the realm of multimedia, Simon served as a bridge between Yuan’s knowledge and practical understanding of how to teach truth with a designer who could animate entertainingly and educationally.
“Jeff really helped us at a time where we really didn’t know anything about the animation process and were asking for a lot of proposals that came with huge price tags,” said Yuan. “Most people we talked with gave us some advice but brought their own motives to have a stake in the project too, so Jeff was able to give us completely unbiased advice through his experience both in the workforce and in ministry.”
The role of parents, grandparents, and churches
The Holy Sexuality Project emphasizes the pivotal role of parents and grandparents in shaping the conversation on sexuality and the necessity of home discipleship.
It is intended to help parents and grandparents connect with their teens and pre-teens about important issues. The curriculum also supports church leaders who want to equip families to address sexuality from a biblical context.
Culture is discipling our kids every day. Many parents know these conversations matter. Few feel equipped to lead them.
The mission is to strengthen families by equipping parents and grandparents to disciple their children at home. The resource is also suitable for Christian families or church groups.
What the curriculum seeks to provide
- A biblical framework for discussing identity, sexuality, gender, marriage, singleness, and the gospel.
- A starting point for conversations between parents and children.
- A resource for discussing difficult subjects in a plain but not explicit manner.
- A way to connect biblical truth with grace, compassion, and pastoral care.
- An animated and video-based format designed for teens and preteens.
- A Parents’ Guide to support adults through the lessons.
- A foundation for regular family devotions and long-term discipleship.
Reception and reported use
Thousands of families impacted.
“This curriculum has helped us initiate and guide our kids through important conversations about identity, sexuality, and following Jesus.”
“This series brought clarity and reassurance to our family and helped guide meaningful conversations with my teens during a confusing time.”
“We’ve been using this in our homeschool, and it has sparked meaningful discussions and brought greater clarity for our teens.”
“I think others should definitely do it, it wasn’t awkward or anything like that. It was really very good.”
“These issues are ones that we will all face in our communities, families and even our churches. Dr. Yuan brings clarity to the difficult topics, and he does so in a compassionate and loving way.”
“It’s a top-notch curriculum that facilitates conversations that are sometimes hard to have with teens. It reinforced our Christian viewpoint of many situations that are happening in our culture.”
Relationship to Holy Sexuality and the Gospel
Holy Sexuality and the Gospel is a continuation of Dr. Yuan’s first book which introduced the concept of holy sexuality-chastity in singleness or faithfulness in marriage.
From the author of Out of a Far Country, which details his dramatic conversion from an agnostic gay man who put his identity in his sexuality to a Bible professor at Moody Bible Institute who puts his identity in Christ alone, comes a thoroughly gospel-centered examination of sex, desire, and relationships.
God has uniquely qualified Dr. Yuan with personal experience and theological training to winsomely present a robust theology of sexuality in an approachable, practical, and relevant manner.
Whether you want to share Christ to a loved one who identifies as gay or you're wrestling with questions of identity yourself, this book will help you better understand sexuality in light of God’s grand story and realize that holy sexuality is actually good news for all.
The video curriculum adapts the central concerns of the book to a format intended for younger audiences and family discussion. It presents a gospel-centered examination of sex, desire, relationships, identity, holiness, and the authority of Scripture.
Core theological emphasis
The resource presents God as having a grand design for human flourishing. The subject of human sexuality is confusing and divisive in these days.
The writing is compelling yet grounded biblically and theologically. The tone is gracious throughout, and yet the book is uncompromising in its biblical fidelity.
Christopher Yuan combines his own gripping story with astute biblically grounded insights into the whole matter of our true identity and its relation to our sexuality.
In his treatment of these important topics, Christopher is at once humble, compassionate, insightful, and unwaveringly committed to holiness, the authority of Scripture, and the glory of God.
His big idea-clearly written and argued-is holy sexuality as a key to human flourishing.