Promoting a biblical sexual ethic

The National Association of Evangelicals says 80 percent of single evangelicals between the ages of 18 and 29 have been sexually active, and 64 percent have had sex during the past year. The NAE also reports that nearly one-third of single evangelicals have been pregnant or made someone pregnant, with nearly one-third of those pregnancies ending in abortion.

Some dispute those statistics, but even with lower numbers the situation is grave. The NAE, concerned about abortion, applied for and received a $1 million grant from The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, which promotes contraceptive use by unmarried individuals. (The NAE has helped The National Campaign communicate its message, but the NAE itself does not endorse contraception.)

Should we accept the world's wisdom and recommend contraception for the unmarried? If not, how have you or others in your church promoted a biblical sexual ethic, and how has that worked out? Have you seen this question dealt with in sermons, in Sunday school, in discipleship programs, or through church discipline? What effect have abstinence movements, promotion of earlier marriage, or counseling had?