Raising Wise Kids in a Sexually Broken World with Lori Krieg | Parenting, Porn, Gender & Discipleship

January 19, 2026
00:00 52:32
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How do Christian parents raise kids with wisdom in a culture shaped by pornography, confusion about gender, and broken ideas about relationships—without living in “hair-on-fire” panic?

In this episode of the Thinking Christian Podcast, James Spencer sits down with Lori Krieg, co-author (with Matt Krieg) of Raising Wise Kids in a Sexually Broken World (IVP) and Director of Parent Programs & Discipleship at the Center for Faith, Sexuality and Gender. Lori explains why so many Christian families become reactionary—only talking about sexuality when a crisis hits—and what it looks like to build a foundation from ages 0–12.

You’ll hear practical, parent-tested guidance on shaping kids to see people as image-bearers rather than consumers, navigating technology and porn culture, and teaching body safety in age-appropriate ways. The conversation also explores the often-missed biblical connection between marriage and singleness, and why the church must recover a bigger vision of the Christian life: mission before marriage.

In this episode, we cover:

  • Why parents don’t have to wait until the teen years to talk about sexuality

  • How technology fragments relationships—and what it’s doing to kids’ formation

  • A Christian framework for porn prevention: moving from “rules” to mindset

  • What “sexual brokenness” includes (more than the headlines)

  • Teaching kids body safety and boundaries without shame or fear

  • Why discipleship—not stereotypes—should shape how we think about gender

  • Helping kids see their purpose as advancing God’s kingdom, not “marry and settle down”

You can purchase Raising Wise Kids in a Sexually Broken World at ivpress.com (use code IVPPOD20 for a 20% discount)

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To read James's article on this topic, check out his author page on Christianity.com.

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Meet Your Host
James Spencer earned his Ph.D. in Theological Studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He believes discipleship will open up opportunities beyond anything God’s people could accomplish through their own wit and wisdom. As such, James seeks to help believers think Christianly about social, cultural, and political assumptions. His desire is to see Christians test God by trusting God so that they conform ever more closely to the image of Christ.

In addition to being a regular contributor to Christianity.com and Washingtontimes.com, James has published multiple works, including Christian Resistance: Learnign to Defy the World and Follow Christ, Useful to God: Eight Lessons from the Life of D.L. Moody, Thinking Christian: Essays on Testimony, Accountability, and the Christian Mind, and Trajectories: A Gospel-Centered Introduction to Old Testament Theology.

James currently serves as president of the D. L. Moody Center, an adjunct instructor at Wheaton College Graduate School, and faculty member at Right On Mission.

You can find out more about James at his personal website www.jamesspencer.com.
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