The Silver Ring Thing 434 programme (SRT 434) is designed to train small groups of single people to look at the blessings of sexual abstinence.  It helps prepare and motivate them to take a strong stand for sexual abstinence and keeping sex for marriage, whilst facing up to the social pressure to be sexually active.

Uniquely the Silver Ring Thing 434 programme is also reaching out to parents. While teenagers are participating in their small groups, parents can choose to review the materials and go through a similar study.

Who is it for?

We run SRT 434 for teenagers, both guys and girls. The programme is also suitable for single adults.

The Student Programme

The SRT434 course comes in four parts, each following the same format of small group discussion, DVD clips from the multimedia show, and short drama presentations.

Week 1 – Temptation

This session looks at the obvious and more subtle ways we can be tempted sexually. We'll look at verses in the bible to see how God can help us overcome temptation in our daily lives, how we can help each other and what to do if we give into temptation.

Week 2 – How far can I go?

This session is not about what you can and cannot do according to a book of rules on sexual abstinence. Rather it is about setting boundaries in a relationship and respecting yourself and your boy/girlfriend. In our small groups we'll look at what it means to be pure and also what is acceptable in a relationship.

Week 3 – Consequences

“There are consequences for our actions” … However, some actions can produce life-altering and life-threatening consequences. In this session we look at a range of positive consequences of abstinence and negative consequences of pre-marital sex. As well as learning about some of the most common sexually transmitted diseases on offer we'll also discuss the consequences of unwanted pregnancy and abortion.

In our small group discussions we will consider the emotional and spiritual consequences of a sexual relationship outside marriage. We'll also discuss the wonderful hope for restoration of emotional scars.

Week 4 – How can God help me?

It's easy to believe that God loves all of us but only cares about the big things in our life. As a child of His, he cares about ALL of us! He wants to be a part of every decision in our life, especially concerning our boyfriends or girlfriends and our decision to remain abstinent until marriage. God has a beautiful plan for our life and nowhere in that plan does he want us to have sex outside marriage. However, in order for his plan to be made perfect, we must first give him control of this area of our life. In this session we are going to learn how to do that.

 

Parents Programme

Research shows that parents have the greatest influence on a child's sexuality and lifestyle choices, which is why the SRT434 Programme for Small Groups is also reaching out to parents. While teenagers are participating in their small groups, parents can also study the same materials but from a parents point of view.

The Parents Edition of the SRT434 Programme gives up-to-date information to parents on how to better support their teenager's purity commitment. Parents will be given the opportunity through SRT434 to meet with other parents to receive support and encouragement from one another.

 

After the Course

At the end of the four week course the young people are better informed and equipped to make good, healthy life-style choices.  For those who choose abstinence there's the opportunity to pledge their decision before God.  Many of these young people decide to wear the SRT ring as a reminder and outward expression of their decision.

Choosing abstinence before marriage will always be the best decision, but not always the easiest.  To help young people keep to their decision we've put together a great support package both locally and from the UK office of Silver Ring Thing.

 

Finding a Course

It is very early days for us at SRT UK. There are several courses running across the country and more are being added month by month. At the top of this page on the left is a list of the current locations. Just select one to see their SRT page.

If there is not one near you then why not get your youth leader to run a course of your own. It is really straight forward. To see what is needed to run a course just click here.