Rooted By The River: An SRC Parenting Podcast

"Kingdom Culture Families: Paideia, Not Perfection"

In this episode, we unpack paideia—a biblical vision for shaping not just behavior, but hearts, habits, and character. Paideia.  A Greek word used in the verse to fathers in Ephesians 6:4. It means "discipline", but so much more! It encompasses the culture that forms and shapes our core instincts - the power within us to navigate ourselves, our choices and our hearts in a “multi-cultural” world.  The one critical culture that determines who we become is known as Paideia - a comprehensive formation of a young child into a mature and virtuous citizen of the Kingdom of God.  Paideia encompasses the long road we as parents take to bring up our children in the discipline and love of Christ - to become a Kingdom Citizen. In this enlightening episode, John Houmes and Pastor David Cassidy of SRC, discuss with wit, wisdom and insight, the meaning and importance of creating a culture of “Paideia” in our homes that will nurture our children in a way that imbeds Christ-like behaviors and impulses as they mature into adult citizens of the Kingdom of God - and the world we live in. #ChristianParenting #KingdomFamily #DiscipleYourKids #Paideia Chapters * 0:00 🎙️ Can the Fear of the Lord Be Taught? (Opening Hook) * 0:46 👋 Introducing Pastor David Cassidy * 1:00 📖 Unpacking the Greek Word Paideia (Ephesians 6:4) * 4:00 👑 Kingdom Culture vs. "Christian Elements" in the Home * 6:30 ❤️ It Starts with Love: The Shema & Deuteronomy * 9:30 🌱 What Should We Hope for Our Kids at Age 28? * 13:15 💪 Resilient Disciples, Not Chocolate Soldiers * 15:00 🏷️ "Remember Whose You Are" — Identity in Christ * 17:30 😲 Enjoying Christ, Not Just Obeying Him * 21:00 🌿 Gospel Opportunities in Your Child's Failures * 25:00 📱 Anti-Discipleship Forces: Technology, Culture & More * 28:00 ⛪ How Church & Christian Schools Partner with Parents * 35:00 🏠 Practical Steps to Kingdom Paideia at Home * 39:00 📚 Must-Read Classics for Christian Parents * 42:00 🏔️ Trips, Beauty & Nature as Formation Tools * 45:00 🍽️ The Theology of the Dinner Table * 49:40 💡 Pastor John's 3 Key Takeaways Resources Mentioned * 📖 Ephesians 6:4 — Paideia in Scripture * 📖 Deuteronomy 6 — The Shema * 📖 Hebrews 12 — The Lord's Discipline * 📖 Philippians 3 — Laying Hold of That for Which Christ Laid Hold of You * 📚 Desiring the Kingdom — James K. Smith * 📚 Greek Mythology — Edith Hamilton * 📚 Confessions — Augustine * 📚 Shakespearean Sonnets & Milton * 📚 The Hobbit / Lord of the Rings — J.R.R. Tolkien * 📚 The Chronicles of Narnia — C.S. Lewis * 🏰 Westminster Shorter Catechism * 🏰 Heidelberg Catechism * 🏰 Luther's Catechism 🔑 Key Takeaways 1. 👑 Paideia is bigger than discipline — It's the complete formation of your child's heart, habits, loves, and instincts into a Kingdom citizen. 2. ❤️ Formation starts with love, not information — Shape what your child loves, not just what they know. 3. 💪 Raise resilient disciples, not chocolate soldiers — The goal is a faith that doesn't crumble under pressure, pain, or disappointment. 4. 🏠 Your home is already a culture — The question is what it's forming your kids into. Direction over perfection. 5. 👤 It starts with YOU — Who is discipling you so you can disciple your children? 6. 🍽️ The dinner table is sacred ground — Don't underestimate the power of slowing down and eating together. 7. 📚 Beauty, story & experience shape the soul — Classic literature, travel, and nature cultivate an imagination rooted in the good, the true, and the beautiful. 8. 🌊 Take the long view — Kingdom paideia is a slow drip, not a weekend seminar. Keywords: parenting, paideia, kingdom, family life, enculturation, formation, spiritual formation, theology, dinner table, christian school, home school, christian family, fear of the lord, christian identity

Everyday Stewardship: Raising Money Smart Kids in a Material World

In this audio-only bonus episode of Rooted by the River (Spanish River Church parenting podcast), you’ll hear a powerful Mom Talks message from Rebecca Haar and Chastity Langley on everyday stewardship—how to raise money-smart kids in a material world. With 2,000+ Bible verses that address money, wealth, possessions, and generosity, this conversation helps parents build a biblical foundation for family finances and practice practical tools that actually work—from preschool “money jars” to teen budgeting with debit cards. You’ll learn how to: * Model Christian stewardship through contentment, gratitude, and self-control * Teach kids the Give • Save • Spend framework (with real-life examples) * Use allowance + chores to build work ethic and money responsibility * Train teens with a weekly budget, transaction check-ins, and no bailouts * Build habits like delayed gratification, saving for big goals, and generosity * Talk about budgeting without oversharing family income 💬 * Use everyday moments (shopping, vacations, broken appliances) to disciple kids   This episode is packed with practical ideas for Christian parents, family discipleship, raising financially responsible kids, and helping children see money as a tool for God’s glory—not a master. 🎧 If this episode helps you, share it with a friend and leave a review—those two things help more families find the podcast! Chapters: 00:00 Opening Teaser 00:09 Welcome + Setup 00:45 Why Stewardship Matters 03:10 Meet the Speakers 04:17 Live the Example 05:31 What We Value 06:35 Faithful Stewardship 07:40 Choose Generosity 08:30 Kids: Money Basics 10:10 Give • Save • Spend 10:55 Let Them Fail 12:20 Incentives + Goals 14:36 Teens: New Stage 15:55 Teen Budget System 16:52 10% + No Bailouts 19:06 Teachable Moments 20:30 Emergency Fund 21:30 Delayed Gratification 22:55 Give + Serve 24:44 Apps + Real Costs 26:10 Experiences > Stuff 27:25 Compassion Giving 29:14 College Costs 31:30 Adoption + Gospel 31:57 Q&A Highlights 44:45 Closing Christian parenting, teaching kids money, biblical stewardship, parenting and finances, raise money smart kids, kids allowance and chores, teen budgeting, family budget, generosity, tithing, delayed gratification, contentment, financial literacy for kids, faith and money, discipleship at home

The Unhurried Family with Dan Houmes (part 2)

In this episode of Rooted by the River, John and Dan Houmes unpack the hidden costs of hurrying through life and how to reclaim healthier rhythms at home, specifically around PHYSICAL HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH and FAMILY FINANCES. Today’s families are often juggling full-time schedules, blurred work-home boundaries, and constant mental over-load. A full calendar can feel productive and even faithful, but nonstop activity often leaves families exhausted and disconnected from one another.  #familyculture #kidssports #BusyFamily #FamilyRhythms   CHAPTERS: 00:00 Intro/Characteristics - Health and Finances 01:17  Introduce Kids to Reali 01:36 Symptom Repetitive Health  02:35  More Characteristics of a Hurried Family 02:45  #7 Repetitive Physical/Mental Health Problem 04:01 Temptation to Optimize Activities/Life beyond sports 05:03 Finances / Dual Income Family  05:53 Being Intentional about being “dual income” family 06:57 How to Dual Income Families find their Center in midst of Busyness 07:55 Does Income influences Lifestyle or Lifestyle influence Income 09:07  #8 Dual-Income Families 09:10 80/10/10 Rule in Finances 10:16 Heightened Financial Obligations (College, Medical bills, etc) 13:27  #8B Single Parent Families 15:12  #9 Financial Obligations 16:56 Take-Aways

The Unhurried Family with Dan Houmes (Part 1)

Are you raising a family — or just managing a schedule? In this episode of Rooted by the River, John and Dan Houmes, Therapist and Counselor, unpack the characteristics of the unhurried family and how modern pressures are reshaping families, parenting, and spiritual life. Many modern families are stretched thin. Parents are doing their best to maximize their children’s younger years to set them up for future success and independence. How do we do that without compromising family time, communication, finances and health? #familyculture #Proverbs18:13 #kidsandsports #BusyFamily #HealthyRhythms #familystress Chapters: 00:00 🎙️ Introduction 02:02 🌿 What Is the “Unhurried Family” — and What Does It Look Like? 03:27 💰 9 Characteristics of an Unhurried Family 03:54 🚨 2 Symptoms of a Hurried Family 04:01 🗣️ Symptom 1 — Lowered Communication 05:54 💔 Symptom 2 — Diminished Intimacy & Increased Tension 07:16 🍽️ The Importance of Family Meals 09:15 📱 Increased Technology & Lowered Free Time 10:48 🙏 Little or No Personal Quiet Time 12:15 📅 Excessive Social & Service Activities 17:23 🙌 Closing Comments — Part 1 of The Unhurried Family

Raising Kind Kids in an Angry World with Torrey Roberts

In a culture shaped by outrage, algorithms, and constant noise, how do Christian parents intentionally raise kind, empathetic children? In this episode of Rooted by the River, John Houmes interviews Torrey Roberts about teaching kindness in the home—especially in a world shaped by anger, polarization, and online influence. Together, they unpack what kindness really means, why it isn’t weakness, and how parents can intentionally train their children to see others, respond with empathy, and reflect the heart of Christ. #parenting #kindness #empathy #culturewar   Chapters ⏱️ 00:00 – Welcome & episode overview 🔥 01:15 – Why kindness matters in today’s angry culture 💬 03:26 – What is kindness? ⚖️ 04:46 – Kindness vs. niceness: what’s the difference? 🏠 06:21 – Teaching empathy through everyday moments at home 👫 06:33 – Sibling relationships and “kind hands” 👀 07:30 – Modeling kindness as parents 🕰️ 10:33 – Creating family rhythms that shape character 🧩 12:47 – Parenting plans, framework, and flexibility 🚫 14:07 – Responding to unkind or cruel behavior 🗣️ 15:48 – Teaching kids how to express needs respectfully 🙏 18:18 – Gratitude, thank-you notes, prayer, and serving ❓ 20:05 – Answering “why” being kind matters 📝 25:17 – Final thoughts and takeaways