Book Review: Redeemed Sexuality, by Andrew Boa

Another different take on relief programs.

In the world that we live in today, nothing seems to be more prevalent than sexual brokenness. Everywhere you turn, there is another story. Someone who was raped. Someone who has battled pornography. Someone who has very bad misconceptions about what the Bible says about sex. In Redeemed Sexuality, Andrew Boa attempts to create a resource for 18-30 year-olds who have struggled with sex and sexuality. 

This 12 session study is split into 3 sections: vulnerability, identity, and intimacy. Vulnerability is all about facing the past. Each person tells his own story, deals with the wounds of his past, learns about discerning the truth and lies of sexuality, and learns a Biblical pattern of true confession. Identity tells the truth about who we really are and where our identity should truly lie if we are saved. In this section, Boa encourages individuals in their perception of their redeemed self, in who they are in Christ, in how to face temptation, and how to battle plan for the fights that will inevitably come. Intimacy is all about moving forward in a Biblical view of sexuality. Healthy intimacy in relationships, not necessarily sex, is needed. A Christ-likeness in sexual behavior is a must. To close out the series, Boa encourages participants to pursue wholeness and continue in the things that have been taught.

This book does a good job of balancing dealing with the personal wounds from past sexual experiences and the hope that one has in Christ. It gives verses to memorize, Biblical applications and questions, and truly cuts to the heart of the matter before dealing too directly with sexuality. One thing that I would have liked to see more of is outside accountability. This can obviously be tailored to each individual small group, but Boa only advocates for 15 minutes of prayer time outside the group. I believe that this should be increased. That can be decided by each leader if he so chooses.

An excellent curriculum on a difficult topic, Redeemed Sexuality can help Christians heal from the wounds of their sexual past. With some alterations in accountability set by each individual leader, this could be a curriculum that helps transform lives. For these reasons, I give this book 3.5 stars out of 5. 

WHERE TO BUY THIS BOOK:

https://www.amazon.com/Redeemed-Sexuality-Sessions-Transformation-Community/dp/0830821279/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1517250583&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=redeemed+sexuality&psc=1

BIBLIOGRAPHY OF THIS BOOK:

Boa, Andrew A. Redeemed Sexuality: Healing and Transformation in Community (12 Sessions). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2017.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL: I received a complimentary copy of this book from InterVarsity Press for an honest, though not necessarily positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.