The Essentials Edition
Honor God and care well for LGBT+ loved ones in your life with 42 pages of the most essential guidance you’ll need for the journey. For every pastor, every parent, and all who care.
Guiding Families:
The Essentials Edition
When LGBT+ loved ones come out, parents can experience shock. Fear and grief can disable their initial reaction. Emotions erupt. Hurtful words spill. Trust is damaged. Relationships become disconnected. Meanwhile, in the church, LGBT+ people often face impossible hurdles and suspicion about their faith. One courageous disclosure can be met with a response that communicates, “I don’t understand you.”
Guiding Families: The Essentials Edition offers a relationally honoring, biblically sound path forward.
The Essentials Edition will help you to:
- Respond well when LGBT+ people come out.
- Build a support team for LGBT+ loved ones and their families.
- Engage LGBT+ individuals in a trusting relationship over the long term.
What’s inside
Growing Up LGBT+
The weight teens carry while growing up
How Teens Come Out
How Parents Often Respond
Risks Youth Face
The two leading factors for LGBT+ teen suicide
Bridging Relational Gaps
Shepherding the path to independence
... and more
18 other essential topics
Table of Contents
Key Terms………………………………………………………………..iv
Welcome Letters……………………………………………………..vi
Growing Up LGBT+…………………………………………………..1
The Weight Teens Carry
Six Developmental Stages……………………………………….3
How Teens Come Out
In Over My Head……………………………………………………..5
Liam’s Coming Out Story
Six Acceptance Stages……………………………………………..7
How Parents Often React
Risks LGBT+ Youth Face…………………………………………..9
The 2 Leading Risk Factors for LGBT+ Teen Suicide
Follow-Up Conversation…………………………………………10
Ensuring Your Teen’s Safety
Building a Sustainable Support System………………….11
How Your Role Could Save a Life
Words Matter…………………………………………………………13
How to Avoid Language that Triggers
Reducing Lateral Distractions………………………………..15
Removing “Rocks” That Block Growth
Navigating Relational Gaps……………………………………17
Shepherding the Path to Independence
Parents Loving Well……………………………………………….19
Parents Share Their Next Positive Steps
How to Reset the Relationship……………………………….20
Knowing It’s Never Too Late to Apologize
Common Questions……………………………………………….21
Informed Answers to Tough Questions
How to Discuss Biblical Beliefs……………………………….24
Fostering Thoughtful Conversations
Cultivating a Healthy View of Biblical Truth……………25
Seven Critical Elements
My Adult Child’s Partner…………………………………………27
Winning Trust by Loving Well
Practical Tips………………………………………………………….30
Guiding Transgender Teens
My Child is Transgender…………………………………………31
Guidance for Families of Trans Loved Ones
Living Life with Mark……………………………………………..33
Molly’s Walk With Her Trans Son
Praying Through the Stages……………………………………35
Turning to God No Matter What
God’s Faithfulness in the Journey…………………………..39
Parents Find Hope in God’s Goodness
The Justice Generation…………………………………………..41
Writing a New Church History
Topics
Pages
The Essentials Edition pares down over 60 distinct topics over 6 sections from Guiding Families: Expanded Edition into the most essential content. Each page will give you practical knowledge, understanding, and next steps to honor God and relate more effectively with your LGBT+ loved ones.
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About the author
Bill Henson is founder of Lead Them Home and creator of the nationally leading Posture Shift seminar. He has trained over 60,000 Christian leaders on biblically sound LGBT+ inclusion and care, and has guided 5,000 families over the last 15 years.
Bill Henson trains national, regional and local ministry teams across North America to extend Christ to LGBT+ people.
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