when you're having the gentle conversation about why he feels the way he does, you might (assuming you're christians) talk about or read the song of songs. whenever i've read it, i can't help but read it as two passionate young lovers whose love is so strong that they decide to marry, and it provides an interesting counterpoint to the new testament verses that can seem to be about saving oneself for marriage. and sometime you could talk about is the fact that there are really different depictions of what good & proper sexuality looks like in the bible (multiple wives and concubines being OK, for one, & ruth/boaz) and talking about what that could mean, how to make sense of that.

i think the fact that you're really concerned about not implicitly pressuring him means that you're going to handle this all really well and respectfully, btw. being really explicit and saying "even though i'm saying i feel X way sometimes, remember that we NEVER have to do anything you don't want to, and i am so happy to just touch and kiss you" or something like that could help.