The Family Podcast

PursueGOD Podcasts
  • 4.3 (6)
  • PARENTING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Join Tracy and Bryan Dwyer every week to talk about marriage and parenting and everything that makes for a healthier family. Find resources to continue the conversation with your family, group, or mentor at pursueGOD.org/family.

  1. 6D AGO

    Kevin and Jennifer’s Story: Pregnant at 52 (PART 1)

    In this part one episode, Kevin and Jennifer Gordon share their remarkable journey through years of infertility, miscarriage, IVF, and adoption—and how, after decades of trusting God through disappointment and unexpected blessings, they now find themselves stepping into an unbelievable new chapter: a pregnancy at 52. -- The PursueGOD Family podcast helps you think biblically about marriage and parenting. Join Bryan and Tracy Dwyer on Wednesday mornings for new topics every week or two. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/family. Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series. Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship. Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org. Donate Now -- Kevin and Jennifer Gordon join Tracy and Bryan on the Family Podcast to share the shocking news that Jennifer is pregnant at 52 years old—and how that moment is the latest chapter in a decades-long journey of infertility, grief, faith, and surrender. They rewind to their early marriage dreams of having 2–3 kids, a heartbreaking miscarriage, and years of “nothing, nothing, nothing,” followed by difficult decisions about fertility treatments they didn’t fully understand and even feared might be “playing God.” Through prayer, unexpected open doors, and wise counsel from a godly mentor, they eventually pursued IVF—while God was also softening their hearts toward adoption. Their story takes a dramatic turn as God redirects them to adopt their daughter from China, then later leads them back to their frozen embryos—resulting in the birth of their son Eli through IVF and another surprise: a natural pregnancy that brought their third child, Ethan. With three kids and years passing, they left remaining embryos frozen, assuming they’d “deal with it later,” even as a quiet conviction lingered. In recent years, new cultural conversations about embryos reignited the issue, and Jennifer sensed God stirring again. The episode ends at a powerful Good Friday service where she realizes she’s been holding a hidden “no” toward God—and she fully surrenders, open to whatever God asks next, even if it means something unimaginable in their 50s.

    43 min

  2. FEB 26

    Forgiveness: What It Is and What It Isn't

    In this episode, Tracy explains why forgiveness isn’t passive, instant, or pretending the hurt didn’t happen—it’s an active, ongoing choice that makes healing and growth possible in your marriage. She unpacks what forgiveness is (and isn’t), shows what it can look like in real-life scenarios, and challenges both spouses to not only give forgiveness but ask for it with humility. -- The PursueGOD Family podcast helps you think biblically about marriage and parenting. Join Bryan and Tracy Dwyer on Wednesday mornings for new topics every week or two. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/family. Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series. Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship. Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org. Donate Now -- Gary Chapman's book: The Five Languages of Apology Video from the Marriage Channel: The F Word that Can Save Your Marriage Forgiveness in Marriage: The Choice That Changes EverythingEvery marriage will face hurt. Expectations will be missed. Words will be spoken in frustration. Sometimes there will even be deep betrayal. The question isn’t if you’ll need forgiveness in your marriage — it’s whether you’ll choose it. Forgiveness is not passive. It’s not pretending the hurt didn’t happen. And it’s not a “magic eraser” that wipes away pain overnight. Biblical forgiveness is an active, ongoing choice. It’s the decision to release the offense so that healing and growth can begin. When Peter asked Jesus how many times he should forgive someone, Jesus answered, “seventy times seven.” Matthew 18:21-22. That wasn’t a literal number — it was a posture. Forgiveness is meant to characterize the heart of a follower of Christ. What Forgiveness Is1. Forgiveness Is a Choice Forgiveness doesn’t always feel natural. It’s a deliberate decision not to replay the offense over and over or use it as ammunition in the next argument. It’s choosing not to hold your spouse hostage to their failure. 2. Forgiveness Is a Gift You’re giving your spouse space to grow. You’re saying, “You hurt me, but I’m willing to move forward instead of weaponizing this against you.” It creates room for rebuilding. 3. Forgiveness Is Active and Ongoing Some wounds are deep. If there has been infidelity, addiction, or repeated betrayal, forgiveness may not be a one-time event. It may be something you choose daily — even moment by moment — as painful memories resurface. 4. Forgiveness Means Giving Up Vengeance Holding onto bitterness may feel justified, but it poisons your heart. Hebrews 12:15 warns about the “poisonous root of bitterness.” Revenge does not create healing soil for reconciliation. What Forgiveness Is NotForgiveness does not mean forgetting. It does not minimize the offense. And it does not automatically restore trust. Trust and forgiveness are not the same thing. Forgiveness is a proactive gift. Trust is rebuilt over time through consistent behavior. If your spouse betrayed you, forgiveness opens the door for healing — but trust must be earned. God’s Model for MarriageAs followers of Jesus, our ultimate model is God Himself. Ephesians 4:32 tells us to be “kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” Psalm 103:10-12 reminds us that God does not treat us as our sins deserve. He removes our sins “as far from us as the east is from the west.” Romans 5:8 declares that Christ died for us while we were still sinners. When we remember how much we’ve been forgiven, it softens our hearts toward our spouse. We’ve offended a holy God far more than our spouse has offended us — yet He forgives with compassion. What Forgiveness Looks Like in Real LifeScenario 1: Missed Expectations Maybe your spouse is chronically late. They forget anniversaries. They don’t plan date nights. Forgiveness here might look like clearly communicating your expectations instead of silently building resentment. It might mean maintaining a posture that wants your spouse to succeed — not secretly hoping they fail so you can feel justified. It also means refusing to live in “negative sentiment override,” constantly focusing on their flaws. Instead, choose to remember the qualities you love about them and invite trusted mentors or counselors to help you grow. Scenario 2: Betrayal (Pornography Relapse or Infidelity) This is heavier. Forgiveness in this case does not mean ignoring the betrayal. It means honest confrontation, outside help, accountability structures, and clear expectations. Forgiveness says, “I’m willing to give you space to rebuild trust.” It does not eliminate consequences, but it removes vengeance from the equation so healing can begin. Many couples have rebuilt after devastating betrayal — but it only happened because the offended spouse was willing to extend forgiveness, and the offending spouse was willing to earn trust. When You Need to Ask for ForgivenessForgiveness isn’t only about giving it. Sometimes you need to ask for it. That requires humility. It means taking responsibility without shifting blame. It means saying clearly what you did wrong and asking for forgiveness. Healthy marriages are built when both spouses know how to forgive and how to repent. The Better Way ForwardBitterness is like gasoline on a fire. Forgiveness is the extinguisher. One destroys; the other creates space for rebuilding. If you want a healthy marriage, forgiveness cannot be optional. Pray for a softened heart. Meditate on how God has forgiven you. Choose forgiveness — again and again. It’s not easy. But it is freeing. And it is God-honoring.

    28 min

  3. FEB 19

    Simply Encourage on the Way Home

    In this episode, Tracy unpacks the pressure-filled world of youth sports and challenges parents to trade performance-driven parenting for Christ-centered encouragement that builds character instead of insecurity. -- The PursueGOD Family podcast helps you think biblically about marriage and parenting. Join Bryan and Tracy Dwyer on Wednesday mornings for new topics every week or two. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/family. Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series. Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship. Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org. Donate Now -- Parenting Your Kids in Sports: Encouragement That Builds CharacterSports can be one of the best training grounds for kids—or one of the most stressful parts of family life. If the thought of your child’s next game already makes you anxious, you’re not alone. Many parents feel pressure (from coaches, culture, other parents, and even themselves) to treat childhood sports like a career path. And if you’ve ever found yourself internalizing your kid’s performance as a reflection of your value as a parent, this topic is for you. Here’s the big reality check: the sports world has changed fast. Not that long ago, kids played multiple sports at their local school and it was mostly about fun, learning skills, and being with friends. But today, it often feels like you have to “choose one sport,” join a competitive club, train year-round, travel constantly, and chase a scholarship—starting in elementary school. That pressure can turn sports from something healthy into something consuming. But before we even talk strategy, we have to talk about heart posture. Many of us are parenting out of baggage we’ve never named. Maybe you had a coach who humiliated you. Maybe your parents were overly intense—or totally checked out. Maybe you were the star athlete and it fed pride. Or maybe you always felt like you were on the outside trying to prove yourself. Whatever your story is, it shapes how you respond to your kid’s wins, losses, effort, attitude, and mistakes. So here’s the question that changes everything: Why do I care so much about my kid’s performance? What does it “say about me” if they play well—or if they don’t? If you can’t answer that honestly, you’ll struggle to parent this area in a healthy way. Because we can’t lead our kids somewhere we haven’t gone ourselves. Next, let’s talk expectations. A lot of sports culture sells a dream: “We’re going to get your kid a D1 scholarship.” But the odds are small. For many sports, only around 1–3% of high school athletes will reach that level. Most kids won’t—and that’s okay. The point of sports isn’t to build a résumé. It’s to build a person. So what should our emphasis be? Instead of obsessing over points, minutes, wins, and rankings, use sports to teach what matters in real life: How to be a good teammateHow to celebrate others’ successHow to handle disappointmentHow to respect authority (even when it’s imperfect)How to show up, work hard, and not quitHow to build resilience after failure These are character lessons your child will carry into friendships, future jobs, marriage, parenting, and faith. And that leads to the biggest “moment” you need to get right: the post-game conversation. Here’s a simple equation that can change your parenting: Positive feedback + criticism = discouragement Parents often think, “I’ll start with something positive, then mention what they need to improve.” But most kids don’t hear it that way. They hear the “but.” They leave the car ride feeling like they failed you—especially if they already feel pressure from coaches, teammates, or themselves. Your job isn’t to be the assistant coach. Your job is to be the safe place. That doesn’t mean you never talk about growth. It means you choose the right time and tone—and you stop piling on when your kid is already carrying weight. In the moment when emotions are high, your words should be steady, supportive, and encouraging. And above everything, let your parenting mirror God’s heart toward you. God doesn’t love you based on performance. He doesn’t withhold affection when you fail. He’s compassionate, patient, and faithful. Psalm 103 reminds us that the Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry, filled with unfailing love—He doesn’t constantly accuse, and He doesn’t deal harshly with us as we deserve. That’s the kind of spirit we want in our parenting, especially in the car ride home. Sports can be fertile soil for discipleship—if we stop buying the lie that our kid has to be in the “1%” to matter. Your child’s identity isn’t “athlete.” That can be part of their story, but it doesn’t need to be the story. The ultimate win isn’t a scholarship. It’s a kid who grows in character, stays grounded in Jesus, and learns how to live faithfully in the real world.

    22 min

  4. FEB 12

    Valentine’s Day Special

    In this Valentine’s Day special, Bryan and Tracy reflect on nearly 30 years of marriage by choosing one word to define each decade, encouraging you to do the same. From the chaos of young parenting to the tension of busy schedules and the transition into the empty nest years, they share honest lessons from every season. Wherever you are in your marriage journey, this episode will encourage you to embrace the season you’re in and trust how God is using it to shape you both. We hope it inspires conversation for your Valentine's Day date night out! -- The PursueGOD Family podcast helps you think biblically about marriage and parenting. Join Bryan and Tracy Dwyer on Wednesday mornings for new topics every week or two. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/family. Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series. Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship. Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org. Donate Now --

    47 min

  5. FEB 5

    Creating a Time Budget For Your Family

    In this episode, Tracy unpacks the idea of a time budget and challenges us to take an honest look at how we spend our time and what it reveals about our true priorities. By examining our daily routines, she invites us to align our schedules with what we say matters most—especially our relationship with God. -- The PursueGOD Family podcast helps you think biblically about marriage and parenting. Join Bryan and Tracy Dwyer on Wednesday mornings for new topics every week or two. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/family. Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series. Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship. Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org. Donate Now -- What Your Time Says About What You Truly Care AboutOverviewWe all have the same 24 hours in a day. How we spend those hours tells a powerful story—one that reveals our true priorities, passions, and commitments. It’s easy to say we value certain things—faith, family, health—but when we step back and take an honest look at how we actually spend our time, the truth becomes clear. Are we really living according to the values we claim to hold dear? Time Is the Ultimate Indicator of PriorityThink about it: if someone tracked your daily routine for a week, what would they discover? Maybe they’d find that your evenings are filled with sports practices, Netflix binges, or endless scrolling on your phone. Church attendance or involvement might fall down the list with sports tourneys for the kids, camping on the weekends or other vacations. Maybe work consumes your days and fatigue takes your nights. None of these are inherently bad—but when they take up the bulk of our time, we have to ask: What’s being left out? From Habits of the Household — Justin Whitmel Earley“Moments aggregate, and they become memories and tradition. Our routines become who we are, become the story and culture of our families. “Think of it like this: when it comes to spiritual formation, our households are not simply products of what we teach and say. They are much more products of what we practice and do.” These habits of the household are giving our children windows into what we mean when we talk about faith. “The liturgical lens allows us to see all of our normal moments for what they really are: moments of worship to someone or something.” The Time Budget ExerciseOne of the most eye-opening exercises you can do is create a "time budget". Just like a financial budget shows you where your money goes, a time budget breaks down how you spend the 168 hours in your week. Include everything: sleep, work, meals, commutes, entertainment, family time, exercise, screen time—and yes, time with God. Take time to do a time breakdown of a month. Think of all that you do in a day and in a week. What Does Your Time Budget Reveal?Once you've created your time budget, take a step back and look at it. Ask yourself: What gets the most hours?What gets squeezed in?What gets neglected entirely?And most importantly: Where does God fit in your week? The expectation isn’t to say you should spend hours in prayer and Bible reading a day, but a good question to ask is, “How much time does God get?” It’s about recognizing whether your relationship with God is being treated as a priority or an afterthought. A Call to ChooseIn Joshua 24:14–15, Joshua challenges the people of Israel to make a decision: “Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness… But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve... But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua's words are a reminder that faithfulness requires intention. You don’t accidentally serve God with your life—you choose to. And that choice is reflected in how you spend your time. Adjusting the BudgetIf your time budget reveals that God is getting your leftovers, don’t be discouraged—make a change. Just like with a financial budget, adjustments are possible. Maybe it means starting your morning with prayer instead of scrolling. Maybe it’s carving out time in your week for church, Bible study, or serving others. Reallocating your time is about aligning your daily rhythms with what (and Who) matters most. Final ThoughtThe truth is simple: how you spend your time is how you spend your life. And your life is shaped by your priorities. If God is truly important to you, let it show up in your schedule. Not just in theory—but in practice, day by day, hour by hour. ScriptureDeuteronomy 6:5–9 “And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

    21 min

  6. JAN 29

    A Field Guide for Parents: The Digital World and Your Kids

    In this episode, Tracy and her son AJ (almost 23) share a field guide for parenting in the digital age. Drawing from AJ’s experience growing up with smartphones and social media, the conversation isn’t meant to scare parents—but to wake them up and help them guide their kids with biblical wisdom. -- The PursueGOD Family podcast helps you think biblically about marriage and parenting. Join Bryan and Tracy Dwyer on Wednesday mornings for new topics every week or two. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/family. Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series. Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship. Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org. Donate Now -- Field Guide for Parents: The Digital World and Your KidsIf you’re a parent today, you’re raising kids in a world you didn’t grow up in. Smartphones. Social media. Gaming communities. Private messaging. Endless scrolling. And the truth is, most of us are trying to parent through technology we don’t fully understand—while our kids often understand it better than we do. In this episode, Tracy teams up with her son AJ (almost 23) to offer a “field guide” for navigating the digital world with your kids. AJ grew up in the smartphone/social media era and shares what he’s learned—both from experience and from research. They call it a cautionary tale, not because parents should panic, but because parents should wake up. Here’s the big idea: a smartphone isn’t just a phone. It’s a powerful tool with access to an entire universe—and a lot of that universe is unfiltered, unsafe, and deeply shaping. The Pressure Is Real—But So Is the DangerParents feel the pressure early. Today, many kids are getting smartphones in elementary school. And when “everyone has one,” kids start to feel like they’ll be left out socially if they don’t. AJ shares that this pressure isn’t just about having a device—it’s about access to the communication apps everyone uses. If your kid isn’t on the group chat or the app the team uses, they can feel isolated. But here’s the problem: social pressure is not a good reason to hand your child a tool they aren’t ready to handle. Start With the Right Question: Is My Kid Ready for the Responsibility?A better question than “When should my kid get a phone?” is: Is my child ready for this responsibility? There are phone options that allow for basic communication without opening the floodgates of social media, porn, and endless content. Parents can start with a “dumb phone” and treat it like training wheels. AJ compares it to driving a car: you don’t hand your kid the keys and hope for the best. You teach them. You supervise. You build habits. You set boundaries. You require trust and responsibility over time. Boundaries Aren’t About Control—They’re About ProtectionIf you decide to give your child a phone, boundaries matter. Some practical boundaries include: Screen time limits (and learning delayed gratification)No phone in the bedroom at nightCharging phones in a public placeNo phone use until homework/chores are doneParents know passwords and have full accessRegular conversations about what your child is doing online The goal isn’t to micromanage forever. The goal is to train your child to be wise and self-controlled before they’re fully on their own. The Hidden Dangers Most Parents MissThis episode also highlights the “hidden dangers” that many parents don’t realize until it’s too late: 1) Algorithms Social media apps are designed to learn what your child likes and then feed them more of it—often in addictive cycles. What starts as “normal” can quickly become a constant stream of harmful content. 2) Comparison Culture Social media trains kids to compare their life to everyone else’s highlight reel. This fuels insecurity, anxiety, depression, and identity confusion—especially for young women. 3) Private Messaging & Predators Many apps (including gaming communities) allow private conversations. Kids can be groomed, manipulated, bullied, catfished, or blackmailed by people pretending to be someone they’re not. 4) Sexual Content One of the most urgent warnings is exposure to sexual content and pornography, which can happen shockingly early. AJ emphasizes that kids are not neurologically equipped to handle this—and it can shape their brains, desires, and relationships for years. A Simple Framework for Different AgesTo help parents think strategically, the episode ends with a framework: Elementary School: focus on obedience and trust (if any phone, start basic)Middle School: focus on wisdom and self-control (strong boundaries, high caution)High School: focus on ownership and integrity (preparing for adulthood) And above all: don’t assume “everyone else is doing it” means you should too. A Biblical Lens for Digital ParentingThe episode closes with a reminder that Christian parenting is countercultural. God’s people don’t follow the world’s patterns just because they’re common. We protect our kids, shepherd their hearts, and help them grow in wisdom. Romans 12:2 (NLT) says, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” Parents, this conversation is not about fear. It’s about discernment. Your child’s heart, mind, and future are too valuable to leave to the wild west of the internet.

    44 min

  7. JAN 22

    State of the Union and Your Marriage

    In this episode, Tracy walks couples through a practical, grace-filled way to handle conflict by using a weekly “State of the Union” conversation to replace reactive arguments with intentional connection, empathy, and growth. -- The PursueGOD Family podcast helps you think biblically about marriage and parenting. Join Bryan and Tracy Dwyer on Wednesday mornings for new topics every week or two. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/family. Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series. Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship. Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org. Donate Now -- Conflict Is Inevitable — How You Handle It MattersEvery couple has disagreements. The goal isn’t to avoid them but to handle them wisely. A great way to do that is to schedule time each week to talk about just one area of conflict. Don’t wait for an argument to erupt — plan ahead and talk calmly. Proverbs 12:18 There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 18:2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. The “State of the Union” MeetingRelationship expert Dr. John Gottman calls this a “State of the Union” meeting. It’s a weekly check-in where couples intentionally connect, celebrate what’s going well, and address one ongoing issue before it grows. Gottman’s research shows that couples who make this a regular habit have much stronger emotional bonds and far fewer destructive arguments. Start with PositivityStart by locking off one hour in your week. Before you talk about the tough stuff, begin by sharing five compliments about your spouse. This step softens the atmosphere and reminds you both that you’re allies, not enemies. Focus on One IssueThen, pick one issue to discuss. Decide who will start as the speaker and who will be the listener. After the first person shares, switch roles. The goal isn’t to “win” — it’s to understand and connect. How to Stay Emotionally Connected: ATTUNETo keep the conversation healthy, remember the word ATTUNE: A – Be Aware: Notice your emotions, tone, and body language — and your spouse’s. T – Be Tolerant: Respect your spouse’s viewpoint, even if you disagree. T – Turn Toward Each Other: Stay engaged instead of withdrawing or attacking. U – Understand: Seek to truly understand before offering solutions. N – Non-defensive Listening: Listen without correcting, interrupting, or defending yourself. E – Empathy: Try to feel what your spouse feels and validate their experience. When Conflict Becomes an OpportunityWhen couples consistently ATTUNE during their weekly “State of the Union” time, they build trust, emotional safety, and intimacy. Conflict stops being a threat and becomes an opportunity to grow closer together.

    15 min

  8. JAN 15

    Talking to Your Teens About Sexuality and Gender

    In this episode, Tracy confronts the reality that culture is already discipling our teens about identity and sexuality and challenges parents and mentors to step in with honest, ongoing conversations rooted in biblical truth and grace. -- The PursueGOD Family podcast helps you think biblically about marriage and parenting. Join Bryan and Tracy Dwyer on Wednesday mornings for new topics every week or two. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/family. Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series. Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship. Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org. Donate Now -- Talking with Teens About Sexuality: Discipling Kids in a Confusing WorldTeens today are growing up in a world flooded with messages about identity, intimacy, and sexuality. From social media feeds and streaming shows to school hallways and group chats, culture is constantly catechizing them—often long before parents or mentors realize it. That leaves adults with a choice: avoid the conversation out of fear or discomfort, or step into it with honesty, compassion, and biblical truth. In Talking with Teens about Sexuality, counselor Beth Robinson and Latayne C. Scott offer a much-needed roadmap for navigating one of the most intimidating areas of discipleship. Rather than promoting fear-based rules or one-time lectures, the authors equip parents and mentors to engage in thoughtful, ongoing conversations about sex, identity, relationships, boundaries, pornography, dating, gender, and online influences. A key insight of the book is this: teens aren’t just battling hormones—they’re battling an entire culture that is shaping their beliefs every single day. Algorithms are discipling them. Influencers are normalizing behaviors. Entertainment is redefining identity and intimacy. If Christian adults remain silent or reactive, they shouldn’t be surprised when culture becomes the loudest voice in a teen’s life. Robinson and Scott insist that intentionality is essential. Parents don’t need to have all the answers, but they do need to be present, informed, and emotionally available. Teens are far more likely to listen when they feel understood rather than lectured. That’s why the book repeatedly emphasizes listening before teaching, empathy before correction, and relationship before instruction. Another strength of the book is how it reframes God’s design for sexuality. Instead of presenting biblical boundaries as arbitrary rules meant to limit freedom, Robinson and Scott show how Scripture presents them as gifts meant to protect dignity, foster trust, and lead to wholeness. Teens are desperate for a vision of sexuality that offers hope rather than shame—and the Bible provides exactly that. The authors are also realistic. They acknowledge that parents cannot control everything their teens encounter. Pornography, sexualized content, and identity-driven messaging are nearly unavoidable in today’s digital world. But while parents can’t control the culture, they can guide their teens through it. They can create homes where hard questions are welcomed, mistakes are met with grace, and truth is spoken clearly and lovingly. Ultimately, Talking with Teens about Sexuality is not just a parenting manual—it’s a discipleship guide. It reminds us that shaping a teen’s view of sexuality is inseparable from shaping their understanding of God, identity, and purpose. When parents and mentors stay engaged, humble, and gospel-centered, their influence remains far more powerful than they might realize. We may not get to choose the world our teens grow up in—but by God’s grace, we do get to walk with them through it.

    40 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.3
out of 5
6 Ratings

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Join Tracy and Bryan Dwyer every week to talk about marriage and parenting and everything that makes for a healthier family. Find resources to continue the conversation with your family, group, or mentor at pursueGOD.org/family.

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