Passport2Purity: An Unfinished Review

Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing my review copy. Thoughts and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation, though I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

An awkward subject

Opening a discussion about purity with my eleven and a half year old didn’t exactly go as I had planned. He wasn’t very receptive at first. Actually, that is putting it lightly. He became angry when I tried to get him to listen to the Passport2Purity CDs. I think he was a little bit embarrassed and jumped to some faulty conclusions about what was expected of him.

Also, being on the autistic spectrum really didn’t help. He already feels awkward and out of place so anything that accentuates that awkwardness and threatens his comfortability zone is immediately rejected. I knew that this was going to take a totally different approach. Dedicating a specific time frame to discuss purity was just too overwhelming.

Yet, after listening to much of the first CD on my own, I was convinced that this was a discussion that absolutely could not be set on the back burner. The world is coming at our children from every angle. If we don’t initiate this discussion, someone else will. I just couldn’t risk it.

So I decided to listen to the Passport2Purity CDs myself, as I traveled to and from work. I thought that maybe I could absorb some of the information provided and then look for less threatening opportunities to inject in different conversations. I thought that I could begin doing a Bible study on Genesis and open up a discussion about the gender roles, God’s plan and purpose for marriage, and how it is under attack by the prevailing culture today. To my surprise, it worked. Even my nine year old joined in, asking lots of questions.

They were both embarrassed at times but listened attentively as I discussed God’s plan for sex. And, honestly, I felt a little awkward about sharing it with them but, if there is one thing I got from the CDs, it’s the importance of being totally honest and not pussyfooting about the issue. There is a tendency to want to use colorful metaphors but I really think my boys appreciated my honesty even if it did leave them feeling slightly uncomfortable.

Looking forward to it

So, while, unfortunately, I did not get to do the Passport2Purity Weekend with my boys, I am definitely still looking forward to doing so. I think my eleven year old will be more receptive this go around. It was just too overwhelming at first. He doesn’t handle any change well and we were discussing a pretty big change that is about to take place. There is a part of him that really isn’t ready to grow up; the idea of growing up actually scares him.

And that is the thing. We can’t expect every child to react the same way. I think the Passport2Purity Weekend is an excellent way to teach your children the importance of purity and the dangers of peer pressure. But every child is different. The important thing is to honestly talk through these issues before they reach adolescence. You don’t have to use this curriculum if you don’t want to, or if you find it doesn’t work. But, if you don’t use Passport2Purity, use something else…or just sit down and have an honest dialog with your child. You can’t afford to be passive regarding this issue.

If you’re anything like me, the idea of your children learning on the fly terrifies you–and it should. If you don’t teach them about alcohol, drugs and sex, someone else is waiting to. Internet, movies, and music have a tremendous influence upon the minds of our children. Throw in peer pressure as well and it becomes an impossible task to expect children to make right choices on their own.

My takeaway

The purpose of Passport2Purity is to inform children of the potential dangers that lie ahead and to provide a biblical framework whereby they avoid the traps and pitfalls of life. The Raineys have put together great way to talk about these difficult issues while nurturing your relationship with your child and just plain having fun. I think it is so important that no child walk away from the weekend with the sense that the sky is falling. Growing up doesn’t have to be something to fear.

One of the things I loved is the scripture memory songs. I found myself singing them over and over all week. There are lot of scripture songs out there but these were a cut above the rest. The music wasn’t cheesy like some and almost without noticing I found myself singing along. This is something I really want to instill in my boys, the importance of memorizing scripture. Puting verses to music makes the Colossians 3:16 imperative, to “Let the Word of God Dwell in you richly,” nearly effortless.

I also liked the dramatized stories. However, my son struggles a bit with audio learning. He tends to get squirmish and frustrated. (He may have some auditory processing issues, and tends to need to learn visually to really grasp things.) That being said, I’m sure most children will find the stories enjoyable.

One part that really grabbed my attention was when Dennis Rainey went through the different types of traps that lie in our children’s paths. Actually hearing traps going off further emphasised seriousness of topic. I found the story of the father leading the child around the traps very moving; it inspired me to really evaluate my role in my children’s lives.

There was a lot that I took away from the Passport2Purity Getaway Kit but, as the title indicates, this is an unfinished review because I wasn’t able to complete the Weekend. To be completely honest, we barely got started, but I personally went through all the material and now I want more than ever to actually set aside the time to do the Passport2Purity Weekend. It’s a high-quality, worthwhile tool in the life of our kids. I think it is so vital to the spiritual and emotional growth of our children.

So, I will be updating this review in the future, when we have completed the Weekend. Till then, I want to encourage you set aside time as well. Either purchase Passport2Purity or just start a conversation with your child. The reward in doing so is so great and the danger in not doing so is even greater. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Contents in the getaway kit:

(1) Tour Guide for the parent, (1) Travel Journal for the preteen including 25 follow-up devotions, and (8) CDs containing 5 sessions, scripture memory songs and downloadable MP3s: Session 1: Beginning the Journey – Challenges, Traps, and Choices; Session 2: Running With The Herd – Friendships and Peer Pressure; Session 3: Ready For An Upgrade? – Changes in Him, Changes in Her; Session 4: Destination: Lé Pure – Setting Boundaries; Session 5: Crossing The Date Line – Seeing Dating Differently

What you’ll find:

Your child begins the journey into adolescence in a world of sexting, bullying, online stalking and moral defiance. Innocence is under attack, and you cannot win the battle with a single awkward talk or a strict set of rules. The primary defense for your child is a strong relationship with you and with God. FamilyLife developed Passport2Purity (P2P) to assist you in building heart-to-heart communication with your preteen while laying a foundation of purity that will prepare him or her for the turbulent years ahead. Through the shared listening experience, object lessons and guided conversations of a P2P weekend getaway, you can set your son or daughter on a journey of moral integrity – and strengthen the bond between you. It is designed to be used by a mother and daughter or a father and son when the child is a preteen. It is suggested that the materials be completed over a weekend away from home, as the child may be more open to discussing the topics away from his or her normal environment. If this isn’t possible, the material can be completed over a period of four or five weeks.

S O C I A L • C O R N E R

Official Website
Facebook: Family Life’s Passport2Purity
Twitter: @FamilyLifeToday @DennisRainey @BarbaraRainey
Watch the Trailer
Official Website to Purchase
Until 8/31/15, enjoy a 25% discount from their already reasonable price using the promo code PASSPORT!