The how-to book for teens on developing healthy and holy relationships.

Growing Toward Intimacy aims to help adolescents develop their spirituality to keep pace with their unfolding sexuality. The book is a helpful, realistic read for teens and for caring youth ministers, teachers, and parents. Growing Toward Intimacy is an even better discussion catalyst. Teens who talk about sexuality tend to make more life-giving choices in their relationships.

The 15 chapters of Growing Toward Intimacy explore the topics that teens raise in author Bob Bartlett's sexuality classes and talks that he gives to adolescents in parishes and dioceses around the country. The young people in these classes and talks have helped write this book by asking questions and sharing stories and insights.

To promote discussion, every chapter in Growing Toward Intimacy begins and ends with questions for discussion, quizzes, or suggestions for learning more. The leader guide identifies objectives for each chapter, anticipates questions, and emphasizes points to make in exploring and discussing the topics with teens.

Chapters:

1 Sex Is Not Just a Biological Need

2 The Sexual Revolution: Who Won?

3 An Intimate Faith, an Intimate God

4 Two Myths About Sexuality

5 Intimacy With Our Bodies and Ourselves

6 The Wonder and Power of Touch

7 Bonding

8 Learning to Touch in America

9 Intimacy

10 Unhealthy Patterns of Intimacy

11 Using People Hurts

12 Integrated Intimacy

13 Aphrodisiacs, Drugs, and Sex

14 But If We Really Love Each Other