This document provides an overview of the fifth week of a wellness course on sexuality and spirituality. The week focuses on helping students determine what sexual beliefs and practices feel right for them based on their own moral convictions, rather than what is prescribed by culture. Students are guided to reflect on their core beliefs, how those beliefs shape their understanding of sexuality, and how to apply those beliefs to make choices around sexuality that feel safe and aligned with who they are. The goal is for students to discern for themselves what is right, rather than having others decide for them.

1. WEEK FIVE:
WHAT'S RIGHT FOR
YOU.
Wellness 090: Sex & Spirituality
Instructor: Jamie Lynn Haskins, MDiv

2. SEXUALITY & SPIRITUALITY:
WHAT'S RIGHT FOR YOU?
We have spent the last four weeks
considering spirituality, sexuality and how
they are connected. The only reason any of
this matters is because sex and spirituality
are a part of our everyday lives and impact
our lived realities.

3. WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE?
As we've discussed, our culture sends strong messages about
what is "right" or "wrong" in terms of sexuality and sexual
practices. However, messages from larger culture shouldn't
determine how you think about sex and sexuality. Rather, it's
important that your own moral beliefs, spirituality and/or
religious convictions shape how you understand the morality
of sex, sexuality, and sexual practices.
It's up to YOU to decide what you believe is morally right. And
it's up to decide what sexual practices and beliefs are right for
you. If you don't discern for yourself, our larger culture will
try and decide for you.

4. Our final week isn't about data
or surveys and there isn't any
research to skim.
Instead, it's about you. What
decisions feel right for you? How
do you want to live out your life?
What sexual practices feel safe and
right for you and when and how do
your moral beliefs shape these
choices?

5. As we did last week, this week we will be working
through the slideshow and the Google form at the
same time. Make sure you have both the slides
and the Google form pulled up so you’re able to
alternate between them easily.
You can access the form here:
https://forms.gle/fqZTHazDpRLM325D8
REVIEW THESE SLIDES AND
COMPLETE THE GOOGLE
FORM AT THE SAME TIME

6. WHAT DO
YOU
BELIEVE?
I believe in God.
I believe love is at the center of everything.
I believe showing kindness is the most important thing.
I believe all people are good.
I believe our actions matter because they impact others.
First, we're going to focus on what you believe. What are your core beliefs about
the world? (Make sure you focus on what you do believe rather than on what you
don't believe.)
Example answers might be:
Please note your answers to this question on this week's Google form.

7. WHICH OF YOUR CORE BELIEFS
ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT?
We all believe several things to be "true" about the
world. But, at the end of the day, there are core
beliefs or "truths" that are the center of the way we
understand people/the universe/the world.
On this week's Google form, try to narrow down your
core beliefs to your top one or two.
An example answer might be: Out of everything I
believe, I understand love to be at the center of all
the decisions I make. Love for myself, others and the
planet shapes everything I do.

8. NOW THAT WE'VE OUTLINED WHAT
YOU BELIEVE, HOW DO THESE
BELIEFS SHAPE YOUR CHOICES?
What we believe shapes everything that we do and all the
decisions we make whether we know it or not. For
example, we might not believe in God but maybe we
believe kindness is important and so we strive to be kind
in our relationships.

9. WHEN IT COMES TO SEX
AND SEXUALITY, WHAT
WE BELIEVE SHAPES
OUR CHOICES.
With your core beliefs in mind, we are going to
consider several questions about sex, sexuality,
and sexual practices.
When you answer these questions, I want you
to focus on what YOU believe to be true rather
than what others might have taught you about
sex and sexuality.
Remember, you get to decide what's right and
what's wrong for you.
As always, your answers on the Google form
will remain 100% confidential and will not be
shared.

10. WHAT IS SEXUAL
INTERCOURSE AND
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
Obviously, we know what the act of sex is
biologically but think more on a spiritual level.
Is sex simply about two bodies connecting with
each other physically for pleasure and/or
reproduction or is it something more?
Does sex involve two spirits or souls
connecting? Is it a reflection of love? Is
attraction enough for meaningful sex between
two people?
Please answer these questions on this week's
Google form.

11. HOW DO YOUR CORE
BELIEFS SHAPE THIS
UNDERSTANDING OF
SEXUAL INTERCOURSE
AND ITS MEANING?
Please leave your answer in the
Google form.

12. NOW THINK CRITICALLY
ABOUT THE FOLLOWING
QUESTIONS AND LEAVE
YOUR ANSWERS IN THE
GOOGLE FORM.
How do you know/will you know when it's right for you to
engage in sexual intercourse?
Which of your beliefs helps you guide this decision?
What emotions do you experience around sex and sexuality?
How do your beliefs shape this? (For example, if you experience
a lot of joy around sex, you might connect that to your belief
that the human body is beautiful and something to be
celebrated if that was one of your core beliefs.)
Do sexual practices and/or sexual intercourse have a lasting
impact on a person and/or a relationship?
Do you understand engaging in sex to somehow change or alter
a relationship? How do your beliefs about sex inform this
understanding?

13. Studies demonstrate that one helpful way to figure out
what you think about a topic is to try and teach someone
else about that subject.
Imagine you were asked to teach a group of middle
school students about sex. What information feels
important to share with them?
Please note your answer in the Google form.

14. Annnnd we're done!
Your last question in the course is to consider
the following question in the Google form:
"Finally, as you complete your work in this
course, were there subjects you would have
liked to learn about that we didn't discuss?
Was there any other material it would have
been helpful to consider in the course or any
questions you had?"