Little Shoots, Deep Roots

Welcome to Little Shoots Deep Roots, where we help parents cultivate deep faith in their families, one small habit at a time! In this episode, host Christie Thomas sits down with special guest Sarah Ruth Owens to explore what it looks like to prioritize real family connection (both practically and spiritually) even in the midst of busy schedules and unconventional family rhythms.Discover why togetherness matters for your children’s sense of belonging, how dads can step beyond the provider role to become central to family life, and hear simple but powerful tips that will help you connect intentionally with your kids every single day. Whether your days feel jam-packed or you’re seeking meaningful ways to foster faith at home, you’ll leave this episode encouraged and equipped with ideas to deepen your family’s roots.🔗⁠Episode page⁠ (including summary article)⁠📚 FOLLOW-UP RESOURCES: ⁠⁠⁠📚⁠ SarahRuth's book: Everyday Banquet📚⁠⁠ My book: Little Habits, Big Faith

If you’ve ever been worried by the statistic that two-thirds of youth stop attending church as young adults, you’re not alone. But there’s hope! Recent studies show the ONE thing that's most important in developing your child's faith...and you're probably already doing it! Listen in for the reason "family warmth" makes the biggest difference in your child's faith, as well as actionable ideas for how to improve your connection with your child.🔗 ⁠Episode Webpage (with full transcript)⁠📚 FOLLOW-UP RESOURCES:⁠Little Habits, Big Faith:⁠ find the right habits for this moment in your family life5-Day Fun With Your Son ChallengeMother Son Prayer JournalSubscribe on your favorite listening platform for practical tips, real parent interviews, and encouragement as we become faith gardeners together!

Ever wondered how to actually create meaningful Sabbath rhythms, even with reluctant kids and packed weekends? Eryn and Christie share honest stories, practical ideas, and encouragement to help you rediscover Sabbath as a real gift, one that brings joy, connection, and refreshment (not just rules and guilt!).Whether your family’s rest day is more chaos than calm right now, or you’re longing to try simple, doable Sabbath practices, this episode will equip you with inspiration and real-world tools to start small, tweak what’s not working, and grow new family habits of rest...rooted in God’s delight for you.🔗Episode page (including summary article)⁠📚 FOLLOW-UP RESOURCES: ⁠📚 ⁠Eryn's book, The Nature of Rest🎧 Nat Theo podcast⁠ (for kids)🛏️ ⁠The Family Sabbath Guide⁠⁠

If you feel stuck in the constant churn of parenting, work, and activities, this episode is your gentle invitation to pause, breathe, and discover how making room for rest is not only possible, but transformative. You’ll leave with actionable ideas for simple Sabbath habits—plus permission to start imperfectly, one little step at a time.📚 Read LITTLE HABITS, BIG FAITH🔗 Read the TRANSCRIPTWHAT YOU'LL LEARN:✅ Rest is a gift✅ You don’t have to be perfect✅ Start small✅ Involve your family✅ It’s flexible

What if worship isn’t just about singing in church, but about chasing God’s glory through everyday moments—like running, cooking, or simply watching the sunset? Discover how ordinary rhythms can become opportunities to honor God, invite healing, and nurture deeper faith for the whole family.Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young, mother of three, children’s author, Bible study teacher, and remarried widow, opens up about her family’s journey through grief and healing. Her story beautifully illustrated that worship isn’t confined to church pews or Sunday morning sing-alongs—it’s a treasure hunt for God’s glory in the everyday moments.Here are 3 key takeaways for parents, educators, and anyone passionate about cultivating faith with kids:1) Worship Isn’t Just Singing: Dorina encourages us to redefine worship as “chasing after God’s glory”—seeking and honoring God in all aspects of daily life, whether it’s through music, movement, creativity, or nature.2) Healing Through Expression: She shared how singing and creative expression played a crucial role in her family’s healing after loss, showing the power of worship in both joy and grief.3) Invite Kids on a “Glory Hunt”: Dorina’s tip for parents: help children connect with God using their five senses—seeing, hearing, tasting, feeling, and smelling God’s presence in everyday experiences.🔗 Full Episode webpage📚 FOLLOW-UP RESOURCES:1) Chasing God’s Glory (Children’s Book)2) Glory Gram (Weekly Family Inspiration)3) Devotional Journal: "Breathing Through Grief"4) Glory Chasers Bible StudyKEYWORDS:family worship, teaching kids about worship, Christian parenting, children and grief, spiritual habits for kids, chasing God's glory, redefining worship, worship beyond music, kids and music, faith-building activities, creative worship for families, faith and resilience, healing through worship, family Bible study, worship through running, worship through cooking, worship and daily life, incorporating faith in routines, liturgical calendar for families, Advent traditions, Lent for kids, grief and faith, multicultural worship experiences, worship in Haiti, children’s faith resources, Christian picture books, Glory Chasers Bible study, Breathing through Grief devotional, parental encouragement in faith, finding God in nature, worship and the five senses

What is Worship… Really? “Worship” can feel hard to define, but that’s also what makes it so freeing! Let's walk through how worship is woven into everything we do—through music, prayer, service, or even a mindful walk outside. The heart of worship is honoring God in spirit and truth, letting Him shape every part of our lives.🔗 Episode Webpage (with full transcript)✨ In this episode:What worship really means for families—beyond Sunday songsThe “faith growth cycle” and how to start a worship habit at homeCreative, bite-sized worship ideas for busy family routines📚 FOLLOW-UP RESOURCES:Worship Styles quiz for kidsLittle Habits, Big Faith: find the right habits for this moment in your family life, habits that will help root your family into “waking up to God and to the purposes of God in the world, and then living lives that actually show it.” Subscribe on your favorite listening platform for practical tips, real parent interviews, and encouragement as we become faith gardeners together!KEYWORDS:family worship, faith habits, cultivating faith, worship habits, Christian parenting, worship styles, worship music, daily rituals, faith growth cycle, Old Testament worship, New Testament worship, acts of service, teaching children faith, worship at home, gratitude practices, church routines, spiritual formation, faith and music, creative worship, serving others, Bible memory, family prayer, celebrating small wins, spiritual creativity, worship playlists, deepening worship, worshipping through chores, worship reflection, encouraging participation, parenting tips

Do grandparents have a role to play in their grandchildren's spiritual development, or are they just here for the cookies and hugs?Today I'm joined by four inspiring grandmothers—Melissa Hyland, Dawn Stevens, Kate Battistelli, and Maureen Miller—who each believe that grandparenting is one of life’s greatest gifts AND a unique chance to help nurture the next generation’s spiritual journey. Each woman brings a unique perspective and a heart full of wisdom on nurturing deep faith roots in the next generation.So grab your gardening gloves (metaphorically speaking), and let's dig into a conversation about cultivating the spiritual lives of their grandkids. 🔗 EPISODE WEBPAGE 📚 FOLLOW-UP RESOURCES (in order of mention):You Are Wonderful: Psalm 139 for Children by Melissa HeilandThe Little Pot (Fruit of the Spirit book series for children) by Dawn StephensThe After Party of the Empty Nest (book for empty nest parents) by Kate BattistelliGideon's Book (A novel about redemption) by Maureen Miller❤️ CONNECT WITH TODAY'S GUESTS!Did you resonate with one or more of these guests? Here's a little more about each one, as well as where to find them online. ❤️Melissa Heiland is the founder of Beautiful Feet International, which exists to spread the good news of God’s love by founding, training, and equipping pregnancy ministries worldwide. LEARN MORE ABOUT BEAUTIFUL FEET INTERNATIONAL. ❤️Dawn Stephens is the author of the Little Pot series of books. If you're looking for a cute way to approach the fruit of the Spirit with kids, LEARN MORE ABOUT DAWN STEPHENS HERE. ❤️Kate Battistelli is an author, speaker, podcaster, and former actress in the Broadway theatre world. If you're wondering who you are now that your kids have flown the nest, CONNECT WITH KATE ONLINE. ❤️Maureen Miller is a relationship-builder who uses story to capture the essence of God in everyday moments, and the author of Gideon's Book. CONNECT WITH MAUREEN ONLINE.

Are kids allowed to pray for skittles? How about praying for mosquitoes to go away? What exactly constitutes prayer for children? In today’s episode, I’m joined by Steph Thurling and Sarah Holmstrom—two passionate moms, ministry leaders, and the authors of the book Raising Prayerful Kids.If you’ve ever wondered how to get kids comfortable with prayer (or how to jump in now if you didn’t start when they were small), you’ll find inspiration, creative ideas, and plenty of reassurance from Sarah and Steph. So grab your gardening gloves (metaphorically speaking), and let's dig into a conversation about cultivating a life of prayer in your home!🔗Episode page (including summary article)📚 FOLLOW-UP RESOURCES:Raising Prayerful Kids BOOK: Steph & Sarah’s book has 21 creative activities for families—games, listening prayers, simple routines for every age and attention span. It’s as real as it gets.Month-long Prayer calendarMade To Pray, a 12-day, hands-on guide to better prayerSubscribe on your favorite listening platform for practical tips, real parent interviews, and encouragement as we become faith gardeners together!

In this solo episode, we'll dig deep into the topic of prayer, and how to nurture a vibrant, approachable prayer life for yourself and your children, even if it feels intimidating or awkward at first.Discover how tiny, intentional moments can help your family cultivate a culture of prayer, why it’s okay to start small (think 30 seconds or less!), and practical ways to anchor prayer into your daily routine. Drawing inspiration from real-life parenting stories, church history, and tried-and-true habit strategies, you'll receive the tools you need to gently lead your family into authentic connection with God—no Pinterest-perfect prayers required!📝 TRANSCRIPT✨ IN THIS EPISODE:How to make prayer a natural, joyful part of family lifeThe faith growth cycle for forming easy prayer habitsSimple ways to pray (even if your kids aren’t keen)Everyday “anchors” to help new prayer habits stickHow to celebrate and nurture your prayer life as a parent📚 FOLLOW-UP RESOURCES:Month-long Prayer calendarMade To Pray, a 12-day, hands-on guide to better prayerSubscribe for practical tips, real parent interviews, and encouragement as we become faith gardeners together!

Does sharing the gospel with your kids seem like it's a one-and-done event, or like it has to be super formal? Join me as I chat with the incredibly wise Bethany Kimsey, founder of the Warrior Mama podcast and mother of 8, to demystify the Gospel and offer practical, real-life advice on how to genuinely share it with your kids.Discover why “gospel moments” don’t have to be formal or forced, how to move beyond quick-fix behavior correction, and the secret to making the Good News both memorable and meaningful for your whole family. If you’ve ever felt unsure how to talk about the Gospel with your children—or even wondered if you truly understand it yourself—this is the episode for you!EPISODE WEBPAGE✨ In this episode:What the Gospel really is (in under one minute!)Moving past behavior modification to heart transformationCreative, bite-sized ways to weave Gospel truth into daily routinesHow to recover from “Jesus juking” (and why grace starts with you)📚 FOLLOW-UP RESOURCES:Bethany Kimsey’s “Reset: Anchoring Your Motherhood in Gospel Truths” CourseWarrior Mama Podcast (Bethany Kimsey): Daily, bite-sized doses of Gospel hopeFree Gospel Printables⁠Family Bible Study: ⁠"Clues of the Good News"⁠Subscribe on your favorite listening platform for practical tips, real parent interviews, and encouragement as we become faith gardeners together!

If someone sat down next to you and asked "what do Christians believe?" ...where would you start? Would you hem and haw or would you jump right in? In this episode, you'll hear the story of my first stuttering time I had to explain the Gospel, and I'll share a biblical framework for how to explain the Gospel to anyone, whether it's your child or some dude off the street. Learn how to confidently communicate the message of Jesus, explore creative and engaging methods to teach the gospel, and find out how to incorporate this essential truth into discipline moments. Whether you're a seasoned believer or new to sharing your faith, this episode equips you to nurture a gospel-centered home.✨ In this episode:Understanding the full gospel beyond just sin-managementCreative ways to engage your kids with the gospel messageBuilding a habit of gospel sharing in everyday lifePractical examples for discipline momentsFULL EPISODE PAGE (with transcript)📚 FOLLOW-UP RESOURCES:Free Gospel PrintablesFamily Bible Study: "Clues of the Good News"Subscribe for practical tips, real parent interviews, and encouragement as we become faith gardeners together!

Welcome to Little Shoots Deep Roots - where we become faith gardeners, cultivating deep faith in our families one little habit at a time.Let's dig into the profound impact of Bible memory with special guest Kayla Alonzo, founder of Baby Devotions. Explore enriching techniques for scripture meditation, hear about unique practices, and discover how to make Bible memorization a joyful and meaningful experience for the whole family.Kayla Alonso is a Minnesota Mama of 3 littles, and the founder of Baby Devotions. When she's not wrestling a toddler, she can be found drinking strong coffee, reading a good book, or exploring a nature center. You can follow her family's faith journey at ⁠www.babydevotions.com⁠. Discover how Kayla transformed her approach to scripture memory from rote recitation to deep meditation, making it a powerful tool for both verbal and non-verbal children to connect with their faith. Whether you're looking for new ways to incorporate faith into daily life or seeking inspiration to make scripture stick, this episode is packed with valuable insights and practical tips.✨ IN THIS EPISODE:The shift from memorizing to meditating on scriptureCreative methods for engaging non-verbal children, including sensory play and musicOvercoming challenges with fun, family-friendly practicesKayla's personal journey and innovative Bible memory resourcesEPISODE PAGE (including transcript)📚 FOLLOW-UP RESOURCES:Snail Mail Club: Check out Kayla's Bible memory snail mail kits (Use code LITTLESHOOTS for 10% off your order!)⁠Free Memory Verse Poster⁠New Creation - Family Bible Study and Prayer JournalKayla's English scripture playlist and Spanish Scripture PlaylistSubscribe on your favorite listening platform for practical tips, real parent interviews, and encouragement as we become faith gardeners together!#BibleMemory #ScriptureMeditation #ChristianParenting #FamilyFaith #FaithGardening #ChristianPodcast #ParentingPodcast

Welcome to Little Shoots Deep Roots - where we become faith gardeners, cultivating deep faith in our families one little habit at a time.✨ In this episode:A powerful story of overcoming childhood anxiety with scriptureUsing the Faith Growth Cycle for a new Bible memory habitFive sustainable steps for making Bible memory a habitCreative ways to deepen and celebrate your family's scripture journey📚 FOLLOW-UP RESOURCES:⁠Free Memory Verse Poster⁠New Creation - Family Bible Study and Prayer JournalGet the Book: ⁠Little Habits, Big Faith⁠Subscribe for practical tips, real parent interviews, and encouragement as we become faith gardeners together!

I invited Lucy Rycroft (Pastor's wife, author, mom of 4) to share her family's journey of engaging in Bible study with children. Lucy Rycroft is an author and founder of The Hope Filled Family. She lives in York, England, with her church leader husband and four kids.Whether you're a seasoned expert or a parent looking for fresh ideas, this episode offers authentic insights into bringing scripture alive in daily family life.Lucy shares heartfelt stories and practical advice on how to embrace the ebbs and flows of spiritual growth during different seasons of parenting. Discover the importance of flexibility, creativity, and just starting with one small scripture habit.✨ In this episode: Discover how to integrate Bible study amidst busy family life Why your efforts are never in vain, even if irregular Resources and creative approaches for engaging kids of all ages The impact of simply reading a small part of the Bible each dayEPISODE PAGE (including transcript)📚 FOLLOW-UP RESOURCES:1. Busy Family Devotional: 52 Short Devotions from Genesis to Revelation by Lucy Rycroft 2. Free 40-Day Bible Reading Plan through the Book of Mark3. Full Family Bible study through Mark Join me monthly for practical tips, real parent interviews, and encouragement as we become faith gardeners together!#ChristianParenting #FamilyDiscipleship #FaithGrowth #BibleStudyWithKids #ChristianPodcast #ParentingPodcast #FaithGardening

Welcome to Little Shoots Deep Roots - where we become faith gardeners, cultivating deep faith in our families one little habit at a time! In this solo episode, I share how small, intentional steps can deepen both personal and family engagement with Scripture. Discover my personal testimony of how the Bible guided me through a life-changing decision, and learn how you too can create tiny but impactful Bible study habits that fit into your busy family life. This episode will equip parents with practical steps and creative ideas to make Bible reading a consistent and transformative practice in their homes. ✨ In this episode: My life-changing experience guided by Scripture. How to use the Faith Growth Cycle to start or deepen family Bible study. Five steps to establishing a sustainable Bible reading habit. Ideas for making Bible study engaging for kids of all ages. Resources to help jump-start your journey into family Bible study. EPISODE PAGE (including transcript) 📚 FOLLOW-UP RESOURCES: Free 40-day Bible reading plan through the book of Mark Family Bible study on Mark Get the Book: Little Habits, Big Faith Join us monthly for practical tips, real parent interviews, and encouragement as we become faith gardeners together! #ChristianParenting #FamilyDiscipleship #FaithGrowth #BibleStudy #ChristianPodcast #ParentingPodcast #ChristianFamily

Welcome to Little Shoots Deep Roots - where we help parents cultivate deep faith in their families one small habit at a time! In this introductory episode, host Christie Thomas shares her vision for faith gardening - a gentle approach to family discipleship that starts with planting small, intentional seeds of faith. Learn why perfect parenting isn't required (but being present is), understand the three key players in family discipleship, and discover how simple, consistent practices can have a lasting impact on your family's spiritual growth. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, unqualified, or just unsure where to start, this podcast will help you develop confidence as your family's spiritual leader. ✨ In this episode: - Why small, consistent faith habits matter - The truth about church programs vs. home discipleship - How to partner with God in your children's faith journey - What to expect from future episodes EPISODE PAGE (including full transcript) 📚 FOLLOW-UP RESOURCES: 1) Start Little Guide: 5 simple habits to try today 2) Book: "Little Habits, Big Faith" by Christie Thomas Join me monthly for practical tips, real parent interviews, and encouragement as we become faith gardeners together! #ChristianParenting #FamilyDiscipleship #FaithGrowth #ChristianPodcast #ParentingPodcast #ChristianFamily

Welcome to Little Shoots, Deep Roots, where we become faith gardeners, cultivating deep faith in our families one little habit at a time. I’m your fellow gardener, Christie Thomas. Download your Start Little Guide here.