Because this study deals with such a sensitive, controversial topic, you may want to talk with students’ parents at least a few days before the study. Let parents know that the study presents differing opinions about abortion. Parents will appreciate your openness, and they’ll be prepared to talk with their students at home about their own views concerning abortion. Also, you may want to invite your pastor to class to talk about your church’s position concerning abortion.
Last, be aware that students in your group may have had abortions or may have encouraged girlfriends to have abortions. This topic will be especially difficult for these young people. If you notice that a student is uncharacteristically quiet or more extroverted than usual, gently approach that person, talk about how he or she feels, and be prepared to refer the student to someone, such as a counselor or pastor, who can help the student process his or her feelings.
You might not know it by the look on her face. He might succeed in hiding it from the world. Their secret? An abortion.
Trapped in scary circumstances, these two teenagers feared the reactions of their parents, the jeers of their schoolmates, and the judgments of their church. So they did the only thing they thought they could do—they got rid of the “problem.”
But a problem like this never really goes away. Instead, grief and guilt burrow deep within their souls only to pop up at the most inconvenient times—while babysitting, on their wedding day, when they learn they’re expecting their “first” child.
And what about the child who never had the chance to live?
Through the experiences in this section, your students can compare the world’s view of abortion to God’s view, and can determine their own stance on this controversial, emotional subject.
Have students form groups of four, and distribute Bibles, pencils, and paper to each group. In each group, have students choose two readers to read the Bible passages, a recorder to keep notes of the discussion, and a reporter to tell the class about the group’s discussion. In their groups, have students read Genesis 2:18-24 and then discuss these questions:
What does this Scripture say about family?
Does this Scripture add anything to our discussion about abortion? Explain.
Have reporters from each group summarize the group’s discussion for the class. Then have groups read Exodus 21:22-25 and discuss these questions:
What does this Scripture say about the value of an unborn child’s life? of the mother’s life?
What does this Scripture say about family?
Does this Scripture add anything to our discussion about abortion? Explain.
Then ask:
Does this passage change your interpretation of the verses in Exodus we just discussed? Why or why not?
Have reporters from each group summarize the group’s discussion for the class.
Then have groups read Psalm 139:13-16 and Jeremiah 1:4-5 and discuss these questions:
Since God knew and had plans for King David and the prophet Jeremiah before they were born, do you think God knew you before you were born? Explain.
Do you think God knows all babies before they are born? Explain.
What does this Scripture say about family?
Does this Scripture add anything to our discussion about abortion? Explain.
Have reporters from each group summarize the group’s discussion. Then have groups read 1 Timothy 5:3-8 and discuss these questions:
What does this Scripture say is pleasing to God?
What does this Scripture say about the importance of family members?
What does this Scripture say about how we affect our families?
Does this Scripture add anything to our discussion about abortion? Explain.
Have reporters from each group summarize the group’s discussion. Then ask groups to consider all the passages while they discuss these questions:
What do your passages say about God’s view of family?
What do they say about God’s view of abortion?
Based on Scripture, how does abortion affect your family?
How can you use these passages to help you decide what to think about abortion?
When students have finished discussing the questions, have the groups decide which opinion area from the previous activity best represents what the Scriptures say about abortion. Have the whole group stand in that opinion area. Then have each reporter explain to the class why the group chose to stand in that opinion area.
Say:”As we can see from the Bible passages we just explored, your family is important to God.”
Based on this truth, what will you choose to believe about abortion?