Our Purpose
Youth want to know the truth, speak it in love, and they want to be ready.
Tough Topics is an educational program of instruction on cultural issues and role-playing to prepare teens to have solid friendships – to be attentive and ready to lead each other down paths of health and healing.
The purpose of Tough Topics is for participants to gain knowledge and skills needed to seize opportunities in everyday conversations to clear up confusion, affirm common sense, and offer genuine support.
T2 started as a youth group activity at a parish in McLean, Virginia. The program was developed by a team of parents, directors of youth ministry, and others under the spiritual guidance of the pastor. It has been used in homes by families and as a youth group activity.
Recommended Age:
13+ years old, with parents. For parents of younger children see the additional resources on each topic page.
Best Practice:
Allow about two hours (one hour for video and one hour for role-playing). Present the video to a small group of teen friends. Encourage parents to also watch and role-play. To keep the focus on the youth, have the front reserved for the teens. After presenting the video, move to another room or rearrange the setting and act out the role-playing scenarios. Give each teen a chance to read the “You” part of each script. Adults take the roles in the scripts opposite of “You.”
The role-playing was a primary motivation for developing the T2 programs. Youth in the parish wanted not only to learn about a tough topic but also get practice articulating the principles underlying the Christian response to the topic.
Promotional Resources:
BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENT - OPTIONS
TOUGH TOPICS (59 words)
Feeling unsure of what to say when faced with complicated cultural issues? Tough Topics (T2) offers free video programs, sample scripts, and a wealth of resources to bolster your confidence and give you the tools to speak the truth about gender identity, abortion, and same sex attraction based in science and presented with kindness. Visit www.toughtopics.life to learn more.
TOUGH TOPICS (75 words)
A free resource for parishioners in all walks of life, Tough Topics (T2) is a project that can aid in formation to combat the most prevalent cultural issues of today: gender identity, abortion, and same sex attraction. Explore our compilation of resources for Raising Children of Light, engage youth with T2 video programs and sample scripts, and dive into the history and science to fortify your knowledge of the Truth. Visit www.toughtopics.life to learn more.
TOUGH TOPICS (50 words)
Visit www.toughtopics.life to experience the Tough Topics program. T2 was created by St. John’s Youth Ministry as a free resource to educate and encourage youth when engaging in difficult conversations about complicated cultural issues. Learn the truth about gender identity, abortion, and same sex attraction – then speak it with love.