Expert: Carl Fuglein - 11/14/2004

Question
A senior at our Christian school is pregnant and wants to stay in school.  After a lot of prayer and discussion, the board has decided to let her stay in school.  The principal has asked me to talk with the students regarding the situation and the board's decision.  We want her classmates to be supportive, but at the same time we don't want to give them the impression that becoming a teen parent is a good thing to do.  What should we tell them regarding being supportive, helpful and interacting with the pregnant teen.  What are the dos and don'ts in this situation?  What scriptures should I review with the students?

God Bless You,


Deborah

Answer
Hi Deborah-

I think probably the best thing you can do is have the pregnant girl address issue herself, assuming she is repentant - and it's all on her.  If she is NOT repentant, I'd question the wisdom of the board in allowing her to stay - grace and forgiveness is one thing, but if the girl doesn't recognize the error of her ways, you're sending a very mixed message to the other kids.

But, you didn't ask me that.  You asked what to say to the other kids.  I'd start with a review of your abwtinence education, and show how easy it is to give into temptation.  As for forgiveness and grace, I'd use Mary herself - a pregnant teenager, supported wholeheartedly by her betrothed husband who hadn't done anything wrong.  You can't get a much better example of forgiveness.  

I'd also use John 8:4-11 about the woman caught in adultery.

{Matthew 18:22 NLT  "No!" Jesus replied, "seventy times seven!} is also a good verse.

Above all, stress that the child in question is free from sin.

Stress that we are all children of God, and God loves all of us unconditionally.  We can still love the pregnant girl while despising her sin.  She will learn soon enough what a mistake she (and the father of the child who should also be forgiven) has made.

This is a really hard question, but I think you have most likely done the correct thing.

Blessings,

Carl

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