198: Creating a Christ-Centred Home: 7 Rhythms That Strengthen Family Faith with David Sunde

In Episode 198,  Daniel and Christina connect with David Sunde, author of Homegrown Disciples, about parenting and disciple making in the family. David shares practical wisdom and personal stories, emphasizing vulnerability, creativity, and relationship over rigid rules. He introduces the idea of parents as “tour guides” in their children’s faith journeys and discusses hands-on activities to nurture compassion and generosity. The conversation offers encouragement and actionable ideas for parents to foster authentic faith, highlighting the importance of grace, presence, and shared spiritual rhythms at home.

In This Episode, You’ll Hear The Following:

• Parenting as a journey of spiritual leadership and disciple making.
• The importance of identity in Christ and overcoming feelings of inadequacy.
• The relational nature of discipleship and the role of community in faith formation.
• The concept of parents as “tour guides” in their children’s faith journeys.
• The significance of vulnerability in fostering connection and trust within families.
• The impact of imitation on shaping children’s character and desires.
• Practical rhythms for discipleship, including hospitality, compassion, and gratitude.
• The role of generosity as a spiritual practice in family life.
• Engaging children in meaningful and enjoyable disciple-making activities.
• The importance of marriage and partnership in effective parenting and spiritual leadership.

Resources Mentioned In This EPisode:

• Homegrown Disciples: Parenting Rhythms for Drawing Your Kids into Life with God by David Sunde
• David’s Website

JOURNAL PROMPTS FOR INDIVIDUAL REFLECTION:

1. Where in my parenting or leadership am I slipping into “travel agent mode”—trying to plan, control, or outsource—rather than walking beside my kids with presence, curiosity, and engagement? What might it look like to shift back into “tour guide mode” this week?
2. Children imitate who I am more than what I say. What aspects of my current spiritual, emotional, or relational life would I genuinely want my kids to mirror? Which patterns or attitudes would I not want them to repeat—and why?
3. When was the last time I felt like either “the best parent” or “the worst parent”? What truth about my identity in Christ helps bring me back to the grounded, grace-filled middle? How can I carry that truth with me into tomorrow?

Discussion Questions for Couples:

1. In what areas of parenting or disciple making are we currently functioning face-to-face (friction, misalignment, comparison) rather than shoulder-to-shoulder (partnership, shared vision)? What small shift could bring us back into unity?
2. How can we intentionally slow down our family pace—emotionally, spiritually, or practically—so that discipleship truly moves at “the speed of relationship” with each other and with our children?
3. Of the seven rhythms (apprenticing, renewal, hospitality, community, compassion, generosity, gratitude), which one do we want to focus on together this season? What’s one simple action we could take within the next week?

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Meet David Sunde: