An Easy Way to Teach Theology of the Body to Your Teens

Charisse Tierney shares how teaching Theology of the Body is as simple as reading a book with your teens.

Saint John Paul the Great: His Five Loves

by Jason Evert

As my kids get older, I feel an ever-growing sense of urgency to equip them with the knowledge and strength that they need to live their faith out in the world.

Conflicting and confusing messages bombard them daily. My teenagers have phones, jobs, and cars. It is time for them to let their light shine and be witnesses to the foundations of faith that my husband and I have (hopefully) instilled in them.

Theology of the Body is one of those foundations. It not only encompasses the Church’s teachings on human sexuality, but it helps all who study it to understand the dignity and value of every human being, body and soul.

My husband and I have taught Theology of the Body to classes of middle-school and high-school students. The curricula we used were wonderful for a group setting, but I wanted a way to teach my own children about Theology of the Body in a way that felt less like going to a class and more like having a really good conversation.

I stumbled upon an easy but very effective way to do so by accident.

My kids and I love reading saint biographies aloud together in our homeschool, and I wanted to read one of my favorites, Saint John Paul the Great: His Five Loves by Jason Evert. What started as a simple read aloud has become one of my favorite curricula for teaching Theology of the Body.

Nurture Your Teens’ Relationship With a Saint

Jason’s book brilliantly weaves the principles behind the Theology of the Body into the way it presents its subject matter. First, we hear Karol Wojtyla’s (who would later be known as Pope John Paul II) remarkable life story. Details about his firsthand experience with war, the deaths of his family members, and the deep faithful joy that permeated his being through so much suffering emphasized to my teens that this was a man who knew what he was talking about when he encouraged perseverance in the faith.

Hearing firsthand accounts of John Paul II's ability to read and absorb the information in one book while listening to someone read to him another, speak a multitude of different languages, and spontaneously pause his rigorous schedule for some extended prayer time reminded all of us that God is the one source of all of our gifts.

By the time my teens heard John Paul II’s life story, they had developed a relationship with him. They were ready to listen to and believe the messages he preached.

Theology of the Body Gives Teens the Truth They Crave

One of John Paul II’s loves was young people. His Five Loves is sprinkled with quotes from John Paul II, many of them directed to young people. I felt like JPII himself was speaking to my own teens when I read things like,

“Dear young people, do not be content with anything less than the highest ideals!” (p.93)

I know my teens could feel his encouragement from heaven as I read, reminding them of how much value and potential they have.

One of the most valuable attributes of Jason’s book is that it is written with an undeniable sense of truth. Jason says in the book that the pope understood that young people “don’t want a watered-down version of the faith. They want to be presented with the fullness of a message and then be given the freedom to accept or reject it” (p.94).

My teens are keenly aware of truth and justice. I find they respond best to me when I am open and honest with them and then allow them some freedom to make their own choices (within reason).

Saint John Paul the Great: His Five Loves is open and honest with my teens too. They have been captivated by JPII’s story, impressed with his wisdom, and open to pondering the truths he offers. Jason Evert’s book has provided an easy jumping-off point for some thought-provoking conversations and has given me the words I want my children to hear about human love and sexuality.

Learning about Theology of the Body with this book nurtures relationships, faith, and hope in humanity. And best of all, it’s easy! Just open it up and start reading ... John Paul II will guide your conversation from there.

Ask for Saint John Paul the Great: His Five Loves at your local Catholic bookseller, or order online from Amazon.com

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Copyright 2026 Charisse Tierney
Images: Canva