Ambassadors, Not Owners
Raising Our Children in a Post-Sexual Revolution World
It Cake? Or Something Else?
Have you seen those viral “Is it cake?” videos? Someone takes a knife to what looks like a bottle of soap or a tennis shoe, and suddenly it’s vanilla sponge and buttercream inside. What looked safe and familiar was something completely different.
That’s what parenting can feel like today.
It has happened to my family, and I am sure it has happened to yours. You sit down to watch a TV show with your child. It looks innocent, bright colors, catchy songs, fun characters. But halfway through, you realize the messaging isn’t neutral. It’s evangelistic, it’s preaching a message.and not the good kind. And it isn’t just on HBO. It’s in Peppa Pig. In school assemblies. In government policy. It’s everywhere.
The sexual revolution is no longer something “out there.” It’s here, and it’s after the hearts and minds of our children.
Today’s blog post is the first in a series titled Faithful Parenting in a Sexualized World. In this series, my aim is to encourage and equip parents to lay a biblical foundation that will help their children navigate the world we live in, one shaped by shifting norms, deep confusion, and moral pressure, and to help them stand firm against the cultural maelstrom of the sexual revolution.
A Discipling World
At this point, I think we are all aware that the world is trying to disciple our children with a new morality that is not only contrary to Scripture but also constantly shifting. Consider some of the symptoms:
Pornography is widespread. One major porn site reported 42 billion visits in a single year. Covenant Eyes reports that 68% of church-going men and 33% of church-going women view porn regularly. Many parents are unaware, yet studies show over half of their children have already seen it.
Sexual ethics have eroded. A large percentage of teens from religious homes now support cohabitation before marriage. Pew Research found that 57% of Christians believe premarital sex in a committed relationship is acceptable.
According to a 2022 study by the UCLA Williams Institute, about 1.4% of teens aged 13 to 17 in the United States identify as transgender 1. While that number might seem small, it reflects a significant increase over previous years.
More broadly, a 2021 Gallup survey found that 1 in 5 Gen Z adults (those born between 1997 and 2012) now identify somewhere on the LGBTQ+ spectrum2. This represents a sharp rise compared to previous generations, suggesting that our children are growing up in a context where alternative sexual and gender identities are not just accepted but often celebrated.
Abortion affects the church more than we often realize. A Lifeway study revealed that 70% of women who have had abortions identify as Christian, and many were attending church at the time.
As Carl Trueman writes,
“The sexual revolution… involves the abolition of [moral] codes in their entirety.”3
But we are not without hope. God has given us a calling and a promise. And that starts with knowing our role.
You Are an Ambassador, Not an Owner
Paul David Tripp reminds us that good parenting starts “with this radical and humbling recognition that our children don’t actually belong to us.”4
They belong to God. You are not the owner of your child. You are God’s representative. His ambassador. This is a game-changing truth.
It means we are called to reflect God’s character and communicate His truth. We are not crafting our children into our image. We are pointing them to the One in whose image they were made.
Jesus’ words in Matthew 28 are often applied to global missions, but they also speak to our calling as parents:
“Go therefore and make disciples… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19–20)
Our children are our first mission field. The Great Commission starts in the living room.
As Tim Keller put it,
“The purpose of parenting is to prepare your children not to need you, but to need God.”5
Teach Them What Christ Has Commanded
The pressure on parents is intense. Social media is full of voices claiming the right way to feed, sleep-train, discipline, and educate your children. But the Word of God gives us clarity and peace.
Jesus calls us to teach our children to observe all He has commanded—not all the latest parenting trends, not all the best podcasts, not all the tips from social media. His Word is our anchor.
Rachel Gilson writes,
“The world tells us that we are most ourselves when we are most in touch with our desires. But Jesus tells us we are most ourselves when we are most in touch with Him.”6
And Rebecca McLaughlin reminds us,
“We cannot assume the gospel. We have to teach it, talk about it, and live it like it’s true—because it is.”7
We need not fear disagreement with the world if we are rooted in the Word.
You Are Not Alone
Jesus ends the Great Commission with this promise:
“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
That promise is not just for pastors and missionaries. It’s for parents who are in the trenches every day. For moms and dads feeling weary, overwhelmed, or unsure, this promise is a lifeline.
Sam Allberry puts it beautifully:
“God is more committed to your child’s salvation than you are.”8
That does not mean we give up. It means we trust Him more. We labor in prayer. We plant seeds of truth. We walk in obedience. And we rest in the sovereign grace of God.
Take Heart, Parent with Hope
You will not be a perfect parent. That’s not your calling. You are called to be faithful.
Teach your children the Word. Point them to Christ. Show them what it looks like to follow Jesus, not just in theory but in your everyday life.
Remember, you are not the owner. You are the ambassador.
And that is more than enough.
(This blog post is adapted from a class originally taught at Trinity Community Church as part of our series on parenting in a sexualized world. Some content has been edited for readability and format, but the core material reflects the teaching and discussion from that session.)
Herman, Jody L., et al. “Age of Individuals who Identify as Transgender in the United States.” The Williams Institute, UCLA School of Law, January 2022.
Gallup, Inc. “LGBT Identification in U.S. Ticks Up to 7.1%.” February 17, 2022. https://news.gallup.com/poll/389792/lgbt-identification-ticks-up.aspx
Carl Trueman, The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self (Crossway, 2020).
Paul David Tripp, Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family (Crossway, 2016).
Tim Keller, The Meaning of Marriage (Dutton, 2011).
Rachel Gilson, Born Again This Way (The Good Book Company, 2020).
Rebecca McLaughlin, 10 Questions Every Teen Should Ask (and Answer) about Christianity (Crossway, 2021).
Sam Allberry, various writings and teachings; paraphrased from multiple sermons and interviews