Mark and Karen had been going out for nearly a year. The rest of their youth group had begun to refer to them as ‘Mr and Mrs', and their relationship had become a cornerstone of their friendship group. After three months, they'd said ‘I love you' to each other for the first time, and after six months, they'd even gone on holiday together, with Karen's family. They were really serious about each other, and despite the jokes, had already begun to talk about marriage, even though they were both only 16.

Both Mark and Karen had been Christians since they were young, and both publicly stated that they felt sex was for marriage only. Privately though, Mark was finding it more and more difficult to hold to that belief. As slowly their relationship became more and more passionate, Mark began to suggest to Karen that, since they were going to get married one day anyway, they should start to have sex.

At first she was shocked, and extremely against the idea. However, after Mark applied more and more pressure, she eventually gave in. When Mark's parents went away for the weekend, they seized the opportunity to sleep together.

The next day, Karen realised that she'd made a terrible mistake. She'd lost her virginity, and now she couldn't bring it back. She was soon in floods of tears. Seeing her distress, Mark also began to regret what they had done. And although they tried hard to rescue it, and promised not to sleep together again, the relationship fell apart soon afterwards.

• What do you think about Karen's reaction? Do you think it was over the top? Why or why not?
• What steps could or should they have taken to stop things from going so far?
• Do you think Mark and Karen were ready for a sexual relationship at 16? If yes, what if one or both of them were 15 - would that change your view?
• Why do you think some people wait to have sex until they are married? Why do others do it much earlier? What do you think is the right age or time?

Taking it to the Word

Read Matthew 19: 4-6

• These verses come in the context of Jesus' teaching on adultery - why are they relevant to this story?
• If through sex, two people become one, what are the implications for people who have lots of sexual partners?
• Why do you think God intends us to only have one sexual partner?