���� �� The workbook says, “Although it is commonly thought that ‘sex will be great,’ the reality is that outside of marriage it is often a major detour taking your life in a very different direction than you wanted.” After reading Luis’s story, questions students are asked include “What caused the aching in Luis’ heart?” and “What was he longing for?” Luis finally broke out of his pattern and decided to have an active role with his children. He now speaks to teens about abstinence and helps them make better choices than he did. Staying On Track The fifth chapter of Quest offers specifics about why choosing abstinence is the best path. The workbook asks students whether finishing high school, going to college, getting a good job, or getting married would be challenging while caring for a baby. The answer is obvious to adults but something too few teens consider. There is a blank area for students to fill in “some of the things that a child would need to be well cared for.” If that isn’t sobering enough, the workbook quotes the Wall Street Journal, which compares the poverty rates of children born to married parents (8%), those born to people living together (40%), and those born to single parents (35%). The real-life individuals in Chapter Five are Debbie and Matt, a couple who chose abstinence and are now happily married. According to the couple, “We were kept accountable by our friends and didn’t put ourselves in situations where we were alone and could get into trouble. … We have been richly rewarded for our decision and perseverance.” Future Focus In the sixth chapter, students meet Joel and are reintroduced to Sofia from Chapter Two. Joel’s parents split up in an ugly manner and left him scarred, with a poor attitude toward relationships. When he met Sofia, who by that time had her life back on track, Joel became hopeful and began to see a positive future for himself and Sofia. Joel says that he and Sofia became friends, then decided to date. He says, “As we continued to grow closer to each other, I found myself signing an abstinence promise card with Sofia. It was that day I knew we would spend the rest of our lives together.” Although both of them came from divorced families, this couple has a strong commitment to each other and to making their marriage work. This chapter shows what it takes to create a good marriage. Students are asked if they know a family they admire, and to identify some characteristics of what a family should be. Some of the benefits of marriage the workbook mentions are help with parenting, finances, and help around the house; someone to care for and someone to be caring; a safe place for sexual activity; a sense of security; commitment and companionship. In an exercise called Preparing for a Good Marriage, students list good and bad things that come to mind when they think about marriage. The workbook says, “Having a good marriage requires that both husband and wife work together in partnership to help, support, and encourage each other.” Road Blocks In the seventh chapter, Karen tells students that she had early sexual experiences and that “It wasn’t like they always show it in the movies.” Karen didn’t have any abstinence classes and didn’t even know what abstinence was. She got pregnant, had an abortion, got several cases of the STD chlamydia, and says “her feelings just went numb.” Karen will never be able to have children because her STDs resulted in pelvic inflammatory disease, which made her infertile. Karen says, “I know that I can't go back and change the decisions that I made as a teenager, but I hope that by telling my story I can help young people understand how important their decisions are regarding sexual activity and how these decisions can affect their future.” The workbook informs students about specific curable and incurable STDs; that in the U.S. there are 20 million new STD infections each year; that the Dept. of Health and Human Services says, “The best way to prevent STDs is to practice abstinence”; and that the Centers for Disease Control says, “Condoms cannot provide absolute protection against any STD.” Journey’s End: Finding True Love In the eighth and final chapter, students meet Jen and Eric. Jen shares the actual letter she wrote to her future husband when she was 20 years old and tired of getting hurt in dating relationships. Her letter says, “By the time that you read this, we will be married.” The list of 14 things that Jen desires in the man she will marry includes integrity, strong character, hard worker, a strong faith, and that he will “love me as I am.” The workbook details the courtship of Jen and Eric, which is romantic and sweet, ending with their wedding day. For students unfamiliar with what a good dating experience looks like, this couple’s story could be life-changing. Students are encouraged to write a letter to their future spouse in this chapter of the workbook. The last page of Quest is an abstinence pledge which students can sign, making a commitment to save sexual activity for marriage.
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