Family Vision: Christian Parenting, Marriage & Family Advice

What is the worst thing that could happen to your child? As parents and grandparents, we naturally think of things like addiction, illness, broken relationships, or tragedy. But how often do we think and talk about where they will spend eternity?

In this episode of Family Vision, Dr. Rob Rienow challenges parents and grandparents to recover a sense of urgency about eternity. Drawing from Scripture, the story of missionary John Paton, and The Little Pilgrim's Progress, Rob encourages families to talk openly about heaven, hell, salvation, and the Gospel—and to make helping their children trust and follow Christ the greatest mission of their lives.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

- Why your child's eternal relationship with God matters more than any earthly success or struggle

- Why Christian parents need to talk openly with their children about heaven, hell, judgment, and salvation

- How the Gospel answers the reality of sin through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ

- Why months should not pass with our families focused only on school, sports, work, money, and everyday activities

- How parents and grandparents can cultivate an eternal perspective in the next generation

- Why helping your children follow Jesus should be at the center of your mission as a family

Featured Resources:

Visionary Parenting — Discover a biblical vision for parenting and practical ways to disciple your children and help them follow Jesus. Start reading for free: https://visionaryfam.com/parenting

Visionary Family Community — Join a community of Christian families committed to helping the next generation follow Jesus. Learn more: https://visionaryfam.com

Was this meaningful for you?

We'd love to hear from you! If you have a child or grandchild who is far from God, our prayer team would be honored to pray for your family. Send your prayer request to [email protected].

If this episode encouraged you, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. Your review helps more families discover the show and grow in their faith.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you never miss an episode.

Could a secret struggle be contributing to your child's spiritual apathy? Even kids who seem obedient, responsible, and spiritually healthy can carry hidden struggles they are afraid or ashamed to share with their parents.

In this episode of Family Vision, Dr. Rob Rienow helps parents understand why sin thrives in secrecy and how they can create a relationship where their children feel safe bringing struggles into the light. Rob addresses three common areas of hidden struggle—sexual sin, drugs and alcohol, and anger and unforgiveness—and encourages parents to pursue honest, ongoing conversations with their children rather than assuming everything is fine.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

- Why even "good kids" can be carrying significant struggles in secret

- How secrecy, shame, and spiritual apathy can become connected in a child's life

- Why parents need ongoing, age-appropriate conversations with their children about sexuality

- Why parents should take potential drug and alcohol use seriously rather than assuming their child would never experiment

- How unresolved anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness can become hidden spiritual burdens

- How to respond with love, gratitude, and biblical guidance when your child has the courage to confess a struggle

Featured Resources:

Five Reasons for Spiritual Apathy in Teens and What Parents Can Do to Help — Rob and Amy Rienow explore common reasons teenagers become spiritually disengaged and offer biblical guidance to help parents respond with wisdom and intentionality. Learn more at https://visionaryfam.com.

Visionary Parenting — Discover a biblical vision for parenting and practical ways to disciple your children and help them follow Jesus. Start reading for free: https://visionaryfam.com/parenting

Upcoming Events — Meet us in person at a Visionary Family Conference or event near you. Full event schedule: https://visionaryfam.com/events

Love this episode?

We'd love to hear from you! Share your thoughts and prayer requests at [email protected].

If this episode encouraged you, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. Your review helps more families discover the show.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you never miss an episode.

Could a secret struggle be contributing to your child's spiritual apathy? Even kids who seem obedient, responsible, and spiritually healthy can carry hidden struggles they are afraid or ashamed to share with their parents.

In this episode of Family Vision, Dr. Rob Rienow helps parents understand why sin thrives in secrecy and how they can create a relationship where their children feel safe bringing struggles into the light. Rob addresses three common areas of hidden struggle—sexual sin, drugs and alcohol, and anger and unforgiveness—and encourages parents to pursue honest, ongoing conversations with their children rather than assuming everything is fine.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

- Why even "good kids" can be carrying significant struggles in secret

- How secrecy, shame, and spiritual apathy can become connected in a child's life

- Why parents need ongoing, age-appropriate conversations with their children about sexuality

- Why parents should take potential drug and alcohol use seriously rather than assuming their child would never experiment

- How unresolved anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness can become hidden spiritual burdens

- How to respond with love, gratitude, and biblical guidance when your child has the courage to confess a struggle

Featured Resources:

Five Reasons for Spiritual Apathy in Teens and What Parents Can Do to Help — Rob and Amy Rienow explore common reasons teenagers become spiritually disengaged and offer biblical guidance to help parents respond with wisdom and intentionality. Learn more at https://visionaryfam.com.

Visionary Parenting — Discover a biblical vision for parenting and practical ways to disciple your children and help them follow Jesus. Start reading for free: https://visionaryfam.com/parenting

Upcoming Events — Meet us in person at a Visionary Family Conference or event near you. Full event schedule: https://visionaryfam.com/events

Love this episode?

We'd love to hear from you! Share your thoughts and prayer requests at [email protected].

If this episode encouraged you, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. Your review helps more families discover the show.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you never miss an episode.

What happens on the drive home from church? Those few minutes in the car may seem insignificant, but the way your family talks about church can shape how your children view worship, their pastors, and their church family for years to come.

In this episode, Rob Rienow shares three practical ways parents can use the drive home from church to strengthen their family's faith. Instead of immediately moving on to the next activity, criticizing what went wrong, or ignoring opportunities for connection, families can reflect on what God taught them, affirm what was encouraging, and intentionally connect with their brothers and sisters in Christ.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

- Why the drive home from church can have a lasting spiritual impact on your children

- How reflecting together can help your family carry Sunday's worship into the rest of the week

- Why regularly criticizing church in front of your children can damage their attitude toward the church

- How to help your children build meaningful friendships and connections within your church family

Featured Resources:

Visionary Parenting — Capture a biblical vision for your family and discover practical ways to help your children follow Jesus. Start reading for free today: https://visionaryfam.com/parenting

Upcoming Events — Meet us in person at a Visionary Family event near you. Full event schedule: https://visionaryfam.com/events

Visionary Family Community — Join a community of Christian families committed to following Christ and helping the next generation follow Him. Receive free family-equipping resources, invitations to community Zoom calls, resource discounts, and more. Learn more at https://visionaryfam.com.

Love this episode?

We'd love to hear from you! Share your thoughts and prayer requests at [email protected].

If this episode encouraged you, please take a moment to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your review helps more families discover the show and grow in their faith.

Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you never miss an episode.

Are the words spoken in your home pleasing to God? Our words have tremendous power. They can build up or tear down, bring healing or cause hurt, encourage the people we love or leave lasting wounds.

In this episode of Family Vision, Dr. Rob Rienow explores the biblical power of our words and challenges families to measure their speech by a higher standard. Psalm 19:14 says, "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer." The ultimate question is not simply whether our words please other people, but whether they please God.

Rob also identifies seven kinds of speech that may win approval from others while dishonoring God, including flattery, gossip, crude language, affirming lies, mocking others, and complaining about authority. This episode offers a practical opportunity for your family to examine the words spoken in your home, seek forgiveness where needed, and ask God to transform your speech.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

- Why words have the power to bring either healing or hurt

- Why the words that come from our mouths reveal what is happening in our hearts

- How saying the right thing at the wrong time can still damage a relationship

- Seven kinds of speech that may please people while displeasing God

- How parents can cultivate a culture of encouragement and godly speech at home

- Practical ways your family can confess harmful speech and pray for words that honor God

Featured Resources:

Visionary Parenting — Discover a biblical vision for passing faith to your children and helping them follow Jesus for generations to come. Start reading for free today at https://visionaryfam.com/parenting.

Upcoming Events — Meet Rob and Amy Rienow in person at a Visionary Family event or conference near you. View the full event schedule at https://visionaryfam.com/events.

Love this episode?

We'd love to hear from you! Share your thoughts and prayer requests at [email protected]. Our prayer team would be honored to pray for you and your family.

If this episode encouraged you, please take a moment to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your review helps more families discover the show and grow in their faith.

Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you never miss an episode.

Family Discussion:

Take time this week to ask one another: "Are the words spoken in our home pleasing to God?" Consider whether flattery, swearing, crude jokes, affirming lies, gossip, mocking others, or complaining about authority have found a place in your family's conversations. Pray Psalm 19:14 together and ask God to make the words spoken in your home pleasing in His sight.

How can parents help their children build lifelong friendships with their siblings? In this special episode of Family Vision, recorded live at Visionary Family Camp, Rob and Amy Rienow explore God's design for sibling relationships and share practical ways families can cultivate love, unity, and lasting friendship between brothers and sisters.

Amy begins with rapid-fire biblical principles on sibling relationships before moderating a lively panel featuring several of the Rienow children and members of the Switzer family. Together they discuss birth order, conflict, forgiveness, honoring one another, navigating fairness, and why intentional encouragement and prayer can transform sibling relationships for a lifetime.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

- Why God cares deeply about sibling relationships throughout Scripture

- Practical ways parents can help siblings become lifelong friends

- How birth order brings both unique blessings and challenges

- Biblical strategies for resolving conflict and extending forgiveness

- Why encouragement and prayer strengthen sibling relationships

- How healthy sibling relationships prepare children for future marriages, friendships, and life in the church

Featured Resources:

Visionary Family Conferences — Join us for a live Visionary Family Conference in your area. Find upcoming events and learn how to bring Visionary Family to your church at https://visionaryfam.com/events.

Visionary Parenting — Discover practical biblical encouragement for raising children who follow Christ. Start reading for free at https://visionaryfam.com/parenting.

Love this episode?

We'd love to hear from you! Share your thoughts, questions, or prayer requests by emailing [email protected].

If this episode encouraged you, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your review helps more families discover Family Vision and grow together in Christ.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you never miss an episode.

What does it look like for a teenager to genuinely live out their faith at home? In this special "Best of Family Vision" episode, Rob Rienow is joined by his daughter Lissy for an honest conversation about the spiritual lessons God taught her during her teenage years.

Lissy shares how she learned the difference between obedience and honor, why sibling relationships require forgiveness and prayer, and what servant leadership looks like inside the home. She also opens up about the spiritual battle she experienced when trying to share her heart with her dad and how honest conversations helped strengthen their relationship.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

- Why who you are at home reveals who you really are

- The difference between outward obedience and genuine honor

- How teenagers can strengthen relationships with their siblings

- Why forgiveness and prayer are essential for healthy family relationships

- How parents and teens can build openness, honesty, and trust

- What servant leadership looks like inside the home

Featured Resources:

Living for Christ at Home — This devotional guide challenges teenagers to grow in their faith and family relationships through practical biblical encouragement. Download the free e-book or purchase print copies for your youth group at https://visionaryfam.com/lissy.

Support Visionary Family Ministries — Your generosity helps us equip families around the world with biblical teaching and practical resources. Learn more at https://visionaryfam.com/donate.

Love this episode?

We'd love to hear from you! Share your thoughts, questions, and prayer requests at [email protected].

If this episode encouraged you, please take a moment to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your review helps more families discover the show and grow in their faith.

Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you never miss an episode.

What influence does the oldest child have on the rest of the family? More than you may realize. In this special "Best of Family Vision" episode, Rob and Amy Reno are joined by their oldest son, RW, for an honest conversation about the blessings, challenges, and spiritual responsibility of being the firstborn child.

Drawing from their own family story, Rob, Amy, and RW explore how firstborn children often set the tone for younger siblings, why Satan targets firstborns, and how older brothers and sisters can become powerful spiritual leaders in the home. Whether you're raising a firstborn or you are one, this conversation offers practical encouragement for strengthening family relationships across generations.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

- The unique blessings and challenges of being a firstborn child

- Why firstborns often struggle with pride or bitterness

- How older siblings can intentionally disciple younger brothers and sisters

- Practical ways to build lifelong sibling relationships

- Why parents should pray intentionally for their firstborn children

Featured Resources:

Family Worship: Genesis — Lead meaningful family devotions through the book of Genesis with this practical family worship guide. Learn more at https://visionaryfam.com/store.

Visionary Family Community — Join a growing community of families committed to following Jesus every day through biblical encouragement, live teaching, and practical resources. Learn more at https://visionaryfam.com/community.

Love this episode?

We'd love to hear from you! Share your questions, comments, or prayer requests by emailing [email protected].

If this episode encouraged you, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your review helps more families discover Family Vision and grow together in Christ.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen so you never miss an episode.

What happens when an anniversary trip becomes a life-changing mission trip for multiple families? In this special episode, Rob and Amy Rienow welcome members of Visionary Family Ministries' Filter of Hope mission team to the Philippines to share powerful stories of God's faithfulness, answered prayer, and gospel impact.

Hear firsthand how God overcame unexpected obstacles, opened doors to remote villages, and used three generations—from age 3 to 77—to bring clean water and the hope of Jesus to families in need. If you've ever wondered whether your family could serve together on a mission trip, this conversation will inspire you to take the next step.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

- Why serving together can strengthen your family's faith

- How God opened unexpected doors during the Philippines mission trip

- The gospel impact of providing clean water through Filter of Hope

- Why mission trips often transform those who serve as much as those being served

- How children, parents, grandparents, and singles can all serve together on mission

- Why stepping out in faith often requires pushing through spiritual opposition

Featured Resources:

2027 Visionary Family Dominican Republic Mission Trip — Learn more about joining a future multi-generational Filter of Hope mission trip by visiting: https://visionaryfam.com/events

Visionary Parenting — Build a biblical vision for raising children who follow Jesus. Start reading for free: https://visionaryfam.com/parenting

Visionary Family Community — Join families committed to passing faith to the next generation. Learn more: https://visionaryfam.com/community

Filter of Hope — Learn how clean water and the gospel are transforming lives around the world: https://filterofhope.org

Love this episode?

We'd love to hear from you! Share your thoughts and prayer requests at [email protected].

If this episode encouraged you, please take a moment to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your review helps more families discover the show and grow in their faith.

Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you never miss an episode.

How can parents help their sons become godly men in a culture that often leaves them confused and isolated? In Part 2 of Rob Rienow's conversation with Pastor Russ Ewell, the focus turns to practical, biblical encouragement for parents, grandparents, and young men seeking to navigate today's challenges with wisdom and hope.

Russ shares lessons from raising two sons with special needs, explains why emotional and spiritual formation must go hand in hand, and offers practical guidance for dads, moms, and young men searching for purpose. If you're raising boys—or you're a young man looking for direction—this conversation will encourage you to pursue God's design for authentic manhood.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

- Why emotional and spiritual formation must work together

- Practical ways fathers can disciple and encourage their sons

- How mothers uniquely strengthen and support young men

- Why taking healthy risks helps boys grow into mature men

- The importance of community, mentors, and Christian friendships

- Encouragement for parents raising children with special needs

- Practical advice for young men searching for identity and purpose in Christ

Featured Resources:

Visionary Parenting — Build a biblical vision for raising children who know and follow Christ. Start reading for free: https://visionaryfam.com/parenting

Foundations of the Christian Family — A 19-session video Bible study that equips families and churches with a biblical foundation for family discipleship. Learn more: https://visionaryfam.com/foundations

Russ Ewell — Learn more about Russ's ministry and resources at https://russewell.com.

Bay Area Christian Church — Learn more about the church and its ministries at https://bacc.cc.

Visionary Family Community — Join families committed to passing faith to the next generation. Learn more: https://visionaryfam.com/community

Love this episode?

We'd love to hear from you! Share your thoughts and prayer requests at [email protected].

If this episode encouraged you, please take a moment to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your review helps more families discover the show and grow in their faith.

Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you never miss an episode.