Family Vision: Christian Parenting, Marriage & Family Advice

How can families make vacations and trips meaningful for their faith? In this episode, Dr. Rob Rienow and Amy Rienow share practical ways to use everyday moments—especially during travel—to invest in family discipleship. Whether it's a road trip, a special outing, or a full vacation, these moments can become opportunities to grow spiritually as a family. Rob and Amy talk about simple ways to be intentional, the importance of shared experiences, and how activities like family camps and mission trips can help build lasting faith across generations. In this episode you'll learn: - How everyday travel moments can become opportunities for family discipleship - Why intentional spiritual habits matter even during vacations - Simple ways to connect with your children spiritually during trips - How prayer helps families recognize God's work throughout the day - Why Christian family camps can strengthen relationships and faith - How family mission trips help build a lasting spiritual legacy Featured Resources: Upcoming Events — Meet us in person at a Visionary Family Conference near you. Full event schedule: https://visionaryfam.com/events Visionary Family Community — Join a movement of families dedicated to passing faith to the next generation. Receive prayer support, live teachings, and exclusive resources. Learn more: https://visionaryfam.com/community Love this episode? Share your thoughts or prayer requests with us at podcast@visionaryfam.com. 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.

In this episode, Amy introduces the new Shine Online Discipleship Group for Young Women. Amy Rienow is joined by her daughter-in-law, Brooke, as they share her story of recovery and her desire to help others find their identity in Christ. Many young women struggle with body image, food, and identity, often feeling alone or unsure how to talk about what they are facing. Brooke shares how bringing these struggles into the light and applying God's Word can lead to freedom. This upcoming group is designed to create a safe place for young women to walk through these challenges together and grow in their faith. In this episode you'll learn: - Why many young women feel alone in struggles with body image and food - How bringing struggles into the light helps break patterns of shame - Why identity in Christ is key to lasting change - How Scripture helps replace lies with truth - The purpose and structure of the Shine Bible study group - How community and discipleship support real spiritual growth Featured Resources: hine Online Discipleship Group for Young Women — Register Today at: https://visionaryfam.com/shop/shine-small-group-experience-with-brooke-rienow/ Upcoming Events — Meet us in person at a Visionary Family Conference near you. Full event schedule: https://visionaryfam.com/events Visionary Family Community — Join a movement of families dedicated to passing faith to the next generation. Receive prayer support, live teachings, and exclusive resources. Learn more: https://visionaryfam.com/community Love this episode? Share your thoughts or prayer requests with us at podcast@visionaryfam.com. 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.

In this episode, Dr. Rob Rienow reflects on the power of multi-generational faith. Did you know that how you live right now has a direct effect on your great-grandchildren? Parents and grandparents play an important role in shaping the faith of future generations. Dr. Rob encourages families to begin praying not only for their children, but also for their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In this episode you'll learn: - How the sons of Asaph show the impact of faith across generations - Why parents should pray for the spiritual lives of future generations - Why Christian families need encouragement and support from others - How the Visionary Family community provides prayer and connection Featured Resources: Upcoming Events — Meet us in person at a Visionary Family Conference near you. Full event schedule: https://visionaryfam.com/events Visionary Family Community — Join a movement of families dedicated to passing faith to the next generation. Receive prayer support, live teachings, and exclusive resources. Learn more: https://visionaryfam.com/community Love this episode? Share your thoughts or prayer requests with us at podcast@visionaryfam.com. 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.

How can parents help their children face temptation? In this episode, Dr. Rob Rienow looks at how Jesus responded to temptation in Luke 4 and what families can learn from His example. Many parents know their children will face pressure and temptation, especially in areas like online behavior and sexual purity. But fewer parents intentionally teach their kids how to fight spiritual battles. Dr. Rob walks through practical principles from Scripture to help parents prepare their children to resist temptation and rely on God's Word. In this episode you'll learn: - Why temptation often comes when we are physically, emotionally, or spiritually weak - Two common kinds of temptation: escaping pain or chasing pleasure - Why fighting temptation immediately - is critical - How Scripture becomes a weapon in spiritual battle - Why believers have authority to resist the devil - Why children need trusted people to fight these battles with them Featured Resources: Upcoming Events — Meet us in person at a Visionary Family Conference near you. Full event schedule: https://visionaryfam.com/events Visionary Family Community — Join a movement of families dedicated to passing faith to the next generation. Receive prayer support, live teachings, and exclusive resources. Learn more: https://visionaryfam.com/community Love this episode? Share your thoughts or prayer requests with us at podcast@visionaryfam.com. 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.

Can God really bring healing from an eating disorder? In Part 2 of this conversation on Family Vision, Amy continues her discussion with her daughter-in-law, Brooke Rienow, about God's work of hope, repentance, and restoration. After collapsing and being hospitalized, Brooke realized the severity of her condition—and her desperate need for the Lord. What followed was not an overnight transformation but journey of recovery marked by surrender, care, and daily dependence on Christ. Brooke shares how a Christian-based treatment team helped her reframe food as a gift from God rather than something to fear. Through intentional goal-setting, biblical counseling, and spiritual renewal, she began replacing pride and control with gratitude and obedience. Recovery required both physical rebuilding and spiritual growth—and ultimately, a deeper intimacy with the Lord than she had ever known. This episode is an honest look at how sin, suffering, mental health, and spiritual warfare intersect—and how God faithfully forgives, heals, and restores. What You'll Learn in This Episode: - Why eating disorder recovery is a long process—not a quick fix - How surrender to Christ becomes the turning point in healing - The role of repentance in restoring both body and soul - Why food must be seen as a gift from God, not an enemy - How pride and control give way to gratitude and dependence - The difference between "checkbox Christianity" and true intimacy with God - Why prayer and daily surrender are essential for lasting freedom Scriptures Referenced: Psalm 103:1–3 Resources: Visionary Parenting – Start reading for free: https://visionaryfam.com/parenting Join the Visionary Family Community – Become part of a global community of families committed to following Jesus: https://visionaryfam.com/community Upcoming Events – Visionary Family Conferences and Family Camp details: https://visionaryfam.com/events Connect With Us: If your family is navigating the challenges of an eating disorder and would like prayer, please reach out to us at podcast@visionaryfam.com. We would be honored to pray for you.

Negative body images and eating disorders are far too common today—and many of us can trace those struggles back to our early years. In this episode of Family Vision, Amy is joined by a very special guest: her daughter-in-law, Brooke Rienow. Brooke shares her personal testimony of how insecurity and body image struggles began as a young girl, intensified through painful peer experiences, and later escalated in college into a serious battle with anorexia. She describes how "control," comparison, and pride quietly took root, and how an outwardly productive, high-achieving life hid a growing internal darkness. This is a raw and hope-filled conversation about what an eating disorder can look like behind the scenes—and why true healing is not just physical, but spiritual. Brooke also opens up about how her relationship with God became "checkbox Christianity" during the hardest seasons, and how the Lord began to bring her back to real freedom. Amy and Brooke share key Scriptures that provide a foundation for hope and healing. What You'll Learn in This Episode: - How early body image struggles can begin (even in kindergarten) - How comparison and peer cruelty can shape a child's self-image - Why college can become a pressure-cooker for control and insecurity - How eating disorders often shift from "I'm in control" to "it controls me" - Why isolation is one of the most dangerous parts of disordered eating - What anorexia can do physically—and why it becomes life-or-death - Why spiritual healing is essential for long-term freedom Resources: Visionary Parenting – Start reading for free: https://visionaryfam.com/parenting Join the Visionary Family Community – Become part of a global community of families committed to following Jesus: https://visionaryfam.com/community Support the Philippines Mission Trip – Help provide clean water filters and share the Gospel. Donate at: https://visionaryfam.com/hope (Type "filter" in the notes section) Upcoming Events – Visionary Family Conferences and Family Camp details: https://visionaryfam.com/events Connect With Us: If your family is navigating the challenges of an eating disorder and you would like prayer, please reach out to us at podcast@visionaryfam.com. Our prayer team would be honored to pray for your family. You can also request a prayer call with our prayer team leader, Peter Rothermel.

For nearly 2,000 years of Christian history, this wasn't even a debated question. When the church gathered for worship, the whole family gathered together. But today, many parents wrestle with what Sunday mornings should look like for their children. In this episode of Family Vision, Dr. Rob and Amy Rienow explore what Scripture, church history, and personal experience reveal about children in corporate worship. From Old Testament feasts to New Testament letters addressed directly to children, the biblical pattern consistently points toward multi-generational worship. But this conversation goes deeper than logistics. It's about long-term discipleship, heart connection to the church body, and whether our children truly feel seen, valued, and spiritually formed within the gathered church. What You'll Learn in This Episode: - What the Bible reveals about children participating in corporate worship - Why this question did not exist for most of church history - How separating children from the main service may impact long-term faith - The difference between having kids present and truly valuing them - Practical encouragement for parents navigating Sunday mornings Scriptures Referenced: Exodus 12, Deuteronomy 16, Joshua 8, Joel 2, Ephesians 6:1–3, Colossians 3:20 Resources: Visionary Church – Discover how your church can strengthen families and the next generation. Start reading for free: https://visionaryfam.com/church Not So Perfect Mom – Encouragement for mothers seeking to raise their children with eternal purpose. Start reading for free: https://visionaryfam.com/mom Support the Philippines Mission Trip – Help provide clean water filters and share the Gospel. Donate at: https://visionaryfam.com/hope (Type "Filter" in the notes section) Join the Visionary Family Community – Become part of a global community of families committed to following Jesus: https://visionaryfam.com Upcoming Events – Visionary Family Conferences and Family Camp details: https://visionaryfam.com/events Connect With Us: We would love to hear from you. Send your questions or prayer requests to podcast@visionaryfam.com. Our prayer team would be honored to pray for your family.

Does your family ever feel overwhelmed by busyness? Whether you're shuttling kids to activities, managing household chaos, or just trying to get dinner on the table, it's easy to wonder if something's wrong when life feels so full. In this episode of Family Vision, Dr. Rob and Amy Rienow share how busyness can be a blessing—and how families can thrive in the middle of the madness. Instead of telling you to slow down or feel guilty, Rob and Amy offer biblical wisdom and practical encouragement for finding joy, purpose, and spiritual connection in the midst of real-life schedules and obligations. Drawing from Proverbs 14, the fourth commandment, and their own busy household, they help you reset expectations and prioritize what matters most—without trying to imitate someone else's "ideal" family life. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why busyness isn't always a sign of imbalance How to maintain spiritual connection even when your calendar is full What Scripture says about work, rest, and the rhythms of family life Why you should not compare your family's pace with others Simple steps for keeping God at the center—even when dinner's on the run Special Opportunity: Provide Clean Water in the Philippines Join us in supporting our Visionary Family mission team heading to the Philippines! They'll be installing Filters of Hope in homes and sharing the Gospel. Each filter costs $40 and provides a family with long-term access to clean water. You can donate directly at https:visionaryfam.com/hope and type the word filters in the comment box. 100% of your donation goes to the mission. Join the Visionary Family Community Families around the world are joining us to follow Jesus and help future generations do the same. Join our growing community at https:visionaryfam.com by clicking Join the Community. Welcome to our newest members—Malene from Florida and Sarah from Casablanca, Morocco! Upcoming Events: D6 Northwest Conference – March 6–7, Lissy Bailey (Rob and Amy's daughter) speaking Visionary Family Conference – Wichita, KS – March 13–15 D6 Southeast Conference – Nashville, TN – April 23–25, Amy & Lissy speaking Family Camp – Cedar Bay, MI – July 18–24 (near Mackinac Island!) Visit https://visionaryfam.com/events for full details and registration. We'd Love to Hear From You: Send your prayer requests, feedback, or questions to podcast@visionaryfam.com. Our prayer team is ready to support you—including phone prayer if desired. Thank you for making time for this episode—and may your family find joy and strength in Christ, even in the busyness of life.

How early should parents begin discipling their children? In this episode of Family Vision, Dr. Rob and Amy Rienow explore how spiritual formation begins at conception—and how parents can intentionally nurture their child's heart for God from the very beginning. Drawing from Scripture, personal family stories, and decades of ministry experience, Rob and Amy explain why discipleship is not something we delay until children can understand direct teaching. Instead, it begins through prayer, presence, singing, and attachment—especially during pregnancy and infancy. You'll hear about the importance of the mother baby connection, the impact of early attachment, and a story from Amy about praying, singing, and blessing one of their children before he was born—followed by God's faithfulness through a life-threatening birth. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why discipleship begins at conception—not preschool How bonding, attachment, and spiritual formation work together What Scripture teaches about a child's spiritual life in the womb Simple ways parents can bless and disciple babies through prayer and song Special Opportunity: We invite you to support our upcoming family mission trip to the Philippines by donating clean-water filters through Filters of Hope. Each filter provides a family with long-term access to safe drinking water. To give, visit visionaryfam.com/hope and enter the keyword filters. Every dollar given goes directly toward purchasing filters. Join the Visionary Family Community: Families around the world are joining together to follow Jesus and pass faith to the next generation. Learn how you can become part of the Visionary Family Community at https://visionaryfam.com and click Join the Community. Upcoming Events: We'd love to see you face to face at a Visionary Family event! Conferences are coming to Oklahoma, Kansas, Seattle, Nashville, and more. Family Camp at Cedar Bay in Michigan (July 18–24) is filling fast. View the full schedule and register at https://visionaryfam.com/events. We'd Love to Hear From You: Do you have a story, reflection, or prayer request? Email us anytime at podcast@visionaryfam.com. Our prayer team would be honored to pray for your family. Follow the Family Vision podcast—but more than that, may your family follow Jesus.

Building a great father-son relationship doesn't happen by accident. In this inspiring episode of Family Vision, Dr. Rob Rienow shares a powerful message from Visionary Family's recent Father-Son Connect event. With honesty, humor, and biblical clarity, Rob calls dads to pursue deeper heart connection and spiritual influence with their sons—especially during the critical teenage years. Drawing from Proverbs, Malachi, and his own parenting journey, Rob unpacks how the enemy targets father-son relationships and how fathers can resist that attack by staying connected through trust, humility, and ongoing conversations. You'll also hear several practical questions used at the event—tools you can use immediately to open the door for meaningful conversations between fathers and sons. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why the teen years are the "death zone" for many father-son relationships How to build heart connection even as your son grows more independent What Scripture says about passing on wisdom from father to son How to talk with your son about hard topics—and how not to Practical questions that build openness, honesty, and trust Scriptures Referenced: Proverbs 23:24–26, Malachi 4:4–6, Ephesians 5 Resources: Father-Son Connect Events – Want to bring this event to your church or school? Email us at podcast@visionaryfam.com to learn more about hosting a future event. Visionary Family Events – We're coming to Oklahoma, Florida, Seattle, and more! See our full 2026 event schedule: https://visionaryfam.com/events Connect With Us: Have a prayer need? Our team prays for every email we receive, and we'd be honored to hear from you: podcast@visionaryfam.com Next Week: Amy returns to the podcast with practical encouragement for moms raising boys. Don't miss it!